**January 20-21, 2012**
Hear bells and whistles and lots of music, maybe even a few beginning bars of the Hallelujah chorus: YOU MADE IT EXACTLY HALFWAY!!!! You are officially over the hump after you get this entry behind you.
Way to go, Sisters. Way to go! It’s a pretty good feeling, isn’t it? Don’t think for a second that the enemy didn’t try to steal away your focus and commitment. If you made it this far, you fought with him and won. This is a big victory. Celebrate it with your very faithful God.
I want to brag on you for being so fastidious about limiting your comments to the memory verses. Even when I’ve taunted you with extra conversation, you’ve held steadfastly to the rule. You are the best group ever. To look down the comment stream and see nothing but verses is immensely powerful. My faith explodes in my chest every single time. The sight of it and the effect it was having on my own personal life led me to invite anybody on Twitter who could use a fresh brainwashing to come and peruse it. I pray that numbers were blessed and that some took the challenge and decided to start memorizing Scripture.
All that said, this time, since we’re at the halfway point, I’m going to open your comments up to one extra line for the sake of personal testimony. After you’ve documented all your usual information (First name, city, verse, and translation), finish this sentence: Memorizing God’s Word this year has…
Get as specific as you can!
So you’ll have an example to go by, here’s my entry this time around with the completion of the added sentence:
Beth, Houston. “Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (The NET Bible) Memorizing God’s Word this year has caused me to have a redirected mind in a situation that could have bred fear and discontentment.
Get the idea? OK, now it’s your turn.
P.S. Here’s some really great news! Android and Blackberry SSMT apps are up, running and available. AND, plans toward our January celebration are already in full swing! We can hardly wait to host you here, Sisters.
I love you like crazy.
Beth
Katherine, Russell, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey Him and the power to what pleases Him.” Philippians 2:13 (NLT)
For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.psalm 119:89
Karen, Cottonwood
“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,” Eph. 3:17 NIV
God’s Word gives us power to fight the enemy’s lies…helps us take every thought captive to Christ. Praise our God!
Sheri
Portland, Oregon
“However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”
Ephesians 5:33 NIV
therefore having justified by faith we have peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 Nasb
Therefore having justified by faith we have peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 NASB
Psalm 150:4
Praise him with the tambourine and dancing.
(Getting my 2nd June in at the last minute.)
Proverbs 27:19
As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart
Psalm 111: 10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow His instructions have good insight.
His praise endures forever.
Heb 10:22a KJV
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.
Amy, Washington D.C.: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26
Dean, Barbourville,Ky.
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for
those who trust in Him.
Nahum 1:7 (NIV)
Katie Enlow – Paducah, KY “For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey Him and the power to do what pleases Him.” Philippians 2:13 (NLT)
Brigid – Johannesburg (SA)
“An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and Spirit.”
1 Cor 7:34 (NIV)
Sue, Atlanta “So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 ESV
Memorizing God’s word this year has taught me that perfection is not the goal, it is about sticking with it no matter how behind I get in order to be perfected in due time!
…Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the LORD Almighty. Zech 4:6b
Netsy – Antwerp, OH
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:26
Melody, Cleburne, TX
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regards to its lusts.” Romans 13:14
Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him for he shields him all day long and the one the Lord loves rest between his shoulders. Deut 33:12
Lisa McGriff, Dothan, Alabama
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
James 5:11
NIV
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11
Rebecca, Kilgore, TX
Stephanie Atlanta GA
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
Jeremiah 9:24
“but let the one who boasts boast about this:
that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,”
declares the LORD.
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NLT
Barbara, Prospect, KY: “Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23 NIV
Dixie Hubbard, Trophy Club, Texas
The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed
Deuteronomy 31:8
New American Standard
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
Shaminder
Toronto,ON
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself.
Philippians 2:3
Toronto, ON =D
Isaiah 55:12-13 (NKJV)
For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace;
The mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you,
And the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cyprss tree,
And intead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree;
And it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
*Sorry to break a rule, but I can’t find a blog post for SSMT Verse #13. Perhaps it’s because of the holiday. I’ll post #13 here for now if that’s ok?
Samantha, Menomonie WI.
Philippians 1:27 (NAS)
Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.
Barb, Emerson, GA Isa 55:1 NIV
1 “Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Madge, Marietta, Ga
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ~ Colossians 3:17 (NIV)
Naomi, Acworth, GA
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ~ Colossians 3:17 (NIV)
Tami, DS LA
Psalm 35:19-20 NIV
Do not let those gloat over me
who are my enemies without cause;
do not let those who hate me without reason
maliciously wink the eye.
They do not speak peaceably,
but devise false accusations
against those who live quietly in the land.
Judy, Apple Valley, CA
“He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon the rock, making my steps secure.”
PRAISE YOU LORD!…Psalm 40:2
Brenda, Collinston, La. What shall we say then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone. Romans 9:30-32 ESV
Jennifer – White, GA
“When my heart was embittered and I was pierced within,
Then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. Nevertheless, I am continually with You. You have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:21-26 NASB
I spent the whole month of June on this one, and just typed it from memory 🙂
Memorizing God’s Word this year has kept me from being overcome by self-pity, bitterness, and all of their pals… It has kept me from drowning in a season of unending seemingly negative circumstances… It has brought my focus and attention back to HIM… kept me crying out to HIM, trusting HIM, connected to HIM, and enduring when it would have felt easier to just give up. And it has been LIFE-GIVING for my husband! I simply would not have made it through the first half of this year without His Word.
Sara – Orange, CA
These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other and render true and sound judgement in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this, declares the Lord. Zechariah 8: 16-17 NIV
Stephanie, Lititz, PA “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” 1 Peter 1:6-7
Memorizing God’s Word this year has gotten me through many trials knowing my full reliance is on the Lord and the Lord alone.
Cacey G. from Livonia, MI
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
Hebrews 3:13 NIV
Julie, Tallassee, AL
Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You. Jeremiah 32:17 NASB
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been a sustaining fire to me in the last few weeks. I did not know I would even need. My 18 year old son, Sam was badly burned in a gasoline fire on June 15, He had 2nd & 3rd degree burns over 27% of his body and skin grafts were taken from his thighs to repair most of the damage. I have been unable for these weeks to even pray what I felt were decent prayers and reading the word has been almost impossible , at least to understand and remember what I have read. I was able to get on twitter & Facebook through my phone so I solicited many prayers, @beckjomamma asked for siestas to pray and I believe that it has been the prayers of so many that have gotten us through this dark time. Since I have felt so inadequate at reading or studying the word – being able to say my memory verses over and over to myself and my son has been the greatest comfort. His grace has been sufficient and now that we are at home, the difficult work of healing from burns begins. If you prayed, thank you, I am sure that our Father heard and acted because of the prayers of each one of you and others who did so. Thank you isn’t enough.
Pam, Wilmington, Proverbs 31:25 NLT
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
Karen, Amarillo. “For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12.14 ESV
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God.
Philippians 4:4-7 NASB
“Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” Isaiah 41:10 (The Message)
Cindy, Spokane
Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6 ESV
Rhonda, Houston – Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 22-23 NLT
Lisa, Dalton, GA Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Skylar, Collinston, La. For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. Ecclesiates 1:18 ESV
Nancy, Bridgewater, NJ
John 20:29 NIV
Because you have seen Me, You have believed;
Blessed are those who have not seen
and yet BELIEVED.