**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
Annette, Richmond, TX
John 15:7, NIV
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Sherrie, Spokane Wa
Matthew 16:24-25 NKJV
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
Memorizing God’s word this year has brought me peace during unknown times and is teaching me to truly trust the Lord, really believe in His word.
Jennifer; Houston; Be glad in all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble and prayerful always. Romans 12:12
Vicki Knott, Greenwood, SC
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has led me to an even closer relationship with Him and I now hear His voice more than my own.
Tyler, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering.
~ Romans 12:1 (Msg)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me to keep my eyes fixed on God instead of my circumstances.
Bambi, Houston, TX
Yet we who have this spiritual treasure are like common clay pots, in order to show that the supreme power belongs to God, not to us. We are often troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt, but never in despair; there are many enemies, but we are never without a friend; and though badly hurt at times, we are not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 Good News Translation (GNT)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me find my way back.
Tara Chatham, Powder Springs, Ga
You, Lord, are fogiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. hear my prayer, Lord, listen to my cry for mercy. When i am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. Psalm 86:5-7
Susan L. (central IL) The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. Psalm 145:13 (NIV)
Woodstock, Ga.
Am I now trying to win the approval of men or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Galatians 1:10 (NIV1984)
Kerry, Houston
“To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless…” 2 Samuel 22:26 (NIV 2011)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been an awesome experience and proof of God’s love for me. I did not think I could do this. HE has made it possible and it has changed my heart. I lean on my scriptures daily. And I pray that He continues to mold my heart to His ways.
Jeanette, Indian Trail, NC.
I wait for the Lord, I expectantly wait, and in His word do I hope. Psalm 130:5 {AMP}
Victoria, Conway AR
1 Peter 3:8-9 (The Message)
“Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless – that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing.”
Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me to stop Satan in his tracks by praying/quoting the Living Word, even when I don’t have my Bible or my index cards!
Cindy, Yakima, WA
I Thesssalonians 5:18 NIV
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Lisa, Enterprise, AL
~ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
— Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has given me much peace and comfort no matter the circumstances that have occurred in my life. Thank you Lord for Your Word!! 🙂
He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and that which he has given He will repay to him. Prov. 19:17 (Amp.)
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.
Psalm 25:5 (ESV)
– Jen L, Roanoke VA
Lori Lehrmann ~ Port Arthur, TX
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure everything out on your own. ~Proverbs 3:5 (MSG)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has allowed my heart to rest in Him!
DLynn; Amarillo
2 Thess 2:16-17 ESV
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
This year the Word has encouraged me to continue to work hard at being a new step-mother.
Becky
Beaverton, OR
“Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?”
Romans 8:23-24 NIV
Judy from Lake Charles, LA-Psalms 116:1-2 (Living Bible)
“I love the Lord because he hears my prayers and answers them. Because he bends down and listens, I will pray as
long as I breathe.”
Memorizing God’s Word this year has enabled me to recall
God’s thoughts before I open my “big mouth”.
Tiffany, ATL
He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set me feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. Ps. 40:2 ESV
Do not conform to the thinking of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV
Memorizing God’s word this year has reminded me of the many verses in the Bible that I love and how many more I want to commit to memory! Treasure the word!
Delores O. Shoreline, WA
Teach me Your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
Psalm 27:11-12 NIV 1984
Memorizing God’s word this year has given me ready ammunition to protect my mind when the enemy attacks.
2 Timothy 2:25 (NIV)
Those who oppose him he must gently instruct in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,….
Memorizing God’s Word this year has become a reality of a “wish” to do it for SO LONG!! And He’s shown me that I CAN do it! Memorizing HIS WORD is building a strong foundation for a ministry that Jesus has for me – I am so excited!
Becky, Temecula, CA
Proverbs 17:27 NIV
“A man knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even tempered.” Proverbs 17:27 NIV
Katrina from Tulare, CA. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 NIV. Memorizing God’s word this year has been my sanity!
Deena from Amarillo, Texas
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 NLT
Gina – Kingwood, TX.
“Be still,and know that I am GOD;I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth.”
psalm 46:10 (NIV)
Melissa, Hampton, GA. “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is Mine to avenge; I will repay’ says the Lord.” Romans 12:19 (The NIV Bible) Memorizing God’s Word this year has become a go-to place in my mind and heart when I need to fight through a hard situation.
Glenda, Tualatin
I took you from the ends of the earth; from its farthest corners I called you. I said, “You are my servant”; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:9-10 (NIV)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.
Acts1:8NIV
Patti, Phoenix AZ, Psalm 130:5 “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.” (NIV1984)
Deanne, Laguna Hills, CA “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him” Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Chyrll, Memphis. “For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.” Hebrews 8:7 (NASB) Memorizing God’s Word this year has caused me to focus more on things above.
Chrissy, Detroit Lakes, MN — “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:31 (NASB)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has brought me into a deeper relationship with Him than I ever imagined or even thought possible – I feel SO “full!!!” :0)
Anita-Gardner, KS
For God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.
Romans 11:29 (NIV)
Memorizing God’s Word this year has made me focus for two weeks and chew on a verse. It is not just memorizing words but digesting them. Moving it from my head to my heart. And it has been FUN!
Kristin, Jacksonville, AL. “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:22 (NIV)
Memorizing God’s Word has helped me stay focused. When I am struggling with an issue, I start repeating the Scriptures I have memorized.
Megan from San Diego
I Samuel 15:22 (NIV) “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifices, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”
Memorizing God’s Word this year has been easier than I thought it would be. (While this is not profound, it has encouraged me to keep this up even after the year is over.)
emi, white house: “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength till each appears before God in Zion.” Psalm 84:5-7 NIV
Memorizing God’s word this year has taken fear thoughts captive and focused me on His presence with me.
“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 NLT
Memorizing God’s Word this year has caused to trust in God more. He is sovereign.
Tammy from Fort Myers, Florida: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 NLT
Rosebudprn
Atlanta, Texas
“Keep sound wisdom and discretion; so they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck”… Proverbs 3:21-22 (nkjv)
cathy, princeton,tx
Psalm 115:1-3 NIV
Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.
Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?”
Our God is in heaven, he does whatever pleases him.
resting in His sovereignty!
North Palm Beach, FL
Psalm 63:7-8 ESV
“for You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.”
Memorizing God’s word this year has reminded me that His word is forever true and provides everything I need to live life.
Nancy, West Virginia
I Peter 2:9 New King James Version
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Colette, Mesa, AZ.
“But if anyone obeys His Word,
God’s Love is truly made complete in him.”
1John 2:5 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word this year has helped me to
trust God more than I EVER have before,
and to believe His promises even when my faith is weak!
Kathy from Oakland, Oregon
“I have come that they may have life and have it to the full!”
John 10:10 NIV
Cindy, Gold Canyon, AZ. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:27 NIV Memorizing these scripture verses has given me the strength and peace to support my husband in his fighting cancer.
Look at the nations and watch–and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. Habakkuk 1:5 NIV
Memorizing God’s Word has given me something to focus on other than focusing on how ridiculous what God is asking me to do in my own understanding may be. Eyes on the Prize. He is…
Karen, Russellville, AR
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?
Jeremiah 32:27 (English Standard Version)