WE MADE IT!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!! To the glory of God, we made it, Siestas! If I could hug your neck, I’d purely squeeze you in two! Please picture me (in a long skirt) doing copious cheerleader jumps! I cannot wait to celebrate with as many of you as possible in January. I wish with all my heart that every single one of you were coming. This girl right here is ready to party. Even one of you missing is too many but I know that it’s hard to manage the time away and the travel expenses are also just too high for many. I’d pay every one of your ways if I could.
Okay, you darling things. I didn’t even have to think twice about the verse I wanted to memorize this last time around in 2011 because it’s about you. With your understanding, I’ll use “sister” instead of “brother.” Here goes:
Beth, Houston. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my [sister], because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.” Philemon 7 ESV
Oh, gracious. That is the truth.
Now, since this is a very special occasion, we’re going to break protocol. This time I’m not going to limit you to your usual 1st and 15th Scripture-only entries. As we wrap up our year, you are welcome to also write a brief paragraph about what this journey with Christ has meant to you and why. No pressure. The invitation is simply there is you want to testify.
You are so incredibly dear to me, Siestas. I am at a loss for words. What a ride.
Lord Jesus, thank You, thank You, thank You, thank You! We cannot do anything to Your good pleasure that You do not first initiate and then enable. To You be all credit, honor, and praise. Please cause us to retain “the implanted word, which is able to save [our] souls.” (James 1:21) Make us wiser and make our hearts larger. You are our delight. We want so much to be Yours, too. You are our everything.
Laura Beth, The Colony
Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and respected.
Philippians 4:8, NCV
Jeri B., Battlefield, MO
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
James 3:17 NIV 1984
Wow! Better late than never. Where did this year go? Thank you Beth, for this forum; and to Jenell, my friend and accountability partner. And praise be to God, whose Word I will continue to hide in my heart!
John 10:10 NIV “The theif comes only to steal and kill and destory; I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Kathy H College Station TX
Beth and Tori, Waco, TX
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”
Romans 15:7
Thank you so much for this opportunity. My 12 year old daughter and I have done this together, and it has been an amazing experience. We can’t wait to be there in January!!
Finishing in Isaiah 40…
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youth grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV
Melana Cummings
Sheridan Wyoming
If I had known what 2011 would hold for my family when I selected Isaiah 40 as my verses to memorize this year….I would have KNOWN it was the perfect Word for this time in my life. My husband suffered a heart attack and congestive heart failure in February. My son-in-law attempted suicide in March. Husband became unemployed for many months. Same son-in-law shot to death on July 4th. Daughter finds out she is pregnant 2 weeks later. And through it all “He gives strength to the weary…He IS the everlasting God…and those who hope in Him will renew their strength”. I am living proof of the truth of His word!!
O my word Melana! I am so so sorry! You are in my prayers…
Melania,
I am so sorry for all of your trials this past year. Please know that you and your family will be in my prayers. My husband has congestive heart failure and has just been placed on the heart transplant list at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. God surely does give strength to the weary. I praise Jesus for your testimony and for your faithfulness. Your Siesta, Lori
I will be praying for you. Stay in Gods word, he will carry you.
Traci, Vadnais Heights, MN.
Isaiah 43:2-4 (NIV)
“Don’t be afraid, I have ransomed you!
I have called you by name, you are mine!
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you, when you walk through the fire you will not be burned,the flames will not set you ablaze!
For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel your Savior! I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Sheba in exchange for you.
Because you are precious in my eyes and honored~
and I love you.”
I am so grateful to God for His Word. It is truly a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. He is gently reminding me, again, that my worth is not in how I perform…I am loved by a God who does not judge me by how “good” I am. “I am my Beloved’s and His desire is for me.”
I have the choice to believe this truth every day…”The fear of human opinion disables, trusting in God protects you from that.” He is my Abba Daddy, my Comforter, my Protector, my Provider, and at times, my only listening ear. My Companion, my Constant, my Shepherd, my King Papa!
…and even when I don’t “feel” like He is closer than a breath away…I know, that I know, that I know, He is.
Thank you Beth, and all of you sweet servants at LPM for being so faithful. I am so grateful for this accountability and can’t wait to celebrate soon in Houston!
Psalm 25:20 NIV
Guard my life and rescue me;
do not let me be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.
Mary
Houston
Christina
Louisville, Ky
For nothing is impossible with God.
Luke 1:37 NLT
That sums it up for me. 🙂
i have a cousin in louisville ky. she is the grandchild of linda.
i ment to say named christina. lol
NIV Matthew 7:12
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the law and the prophets.
And when they had come into the house, they saw the Young Child and Mary His mother and fell down and worshipped Him. Matthew 2:11, NKJV
Jennifer, Denham Springs, LA
Karen, Hewitt
“Wait on the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord”. Psalm 27:14 NIV
Sarah, Little Rock
” ‘Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men
With whom He is pleased.’ ”
Luke 2:14 NASB
Kelly
Avon Park, FL
The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.
Psalm 121:7-8 NKJV
Olivia, Tennessee
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. Luke 2:14 NIV
Sorry I’m late! 🙂
Wow! We made it siestas 🙂
It has been amazing to see how the Lord would bring a scripture along that directly spoke into my cirmcumstances at the time throughout this year. I also felt the Lord would use certain verses to prepare my heart for the work He was doing all throughout the year. Ok, I’m posting 2 scriptures to make up for my lack of post on 12/5 :)) Merry Christmas to you! May the joy of the coming of Jesus fill your hearts and overflow to your friends and family this season.
Amy
Houston Tx
“Fulfill your ministry” 2 Tim 4:5 ESV
“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests we asked of him”
1 John 5: 14-15 ESV
Marla-Washington
One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.
Psalm 27:4 NIV
Michele, Weber City, VA
The LORD your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
Kathy, Corinth, TX The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
My dad is probably going to die this week from cancer. I was behind an 18 wheeler going about 20 mph with his lights flashing and looked in the rearview mirror to see a truck barreling towards me, he hit me without stepping on the brakes I believe and my guardian angel or Jesus took the wheel and steered to avoid the 18 wheeler and the force of the impact shot me past him and I was able to have a “snowball” fight with my first graders at our class party the next day! This was last Tuesday and my verse was Psalm 84:11 – 12 For the Lord God is a sun and a shield, He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in You! AMEN and AMEN. The enemy has attacked my family in so many ways and we are still more than conquerors! I have a prodigal on drugs and am raising her precious daughter, my hearing-impaired daughter, the mother of three precious grandchildren is very sick and the doctors have not been able (yet) to figure it out, etc. etc. Yet Emmanuel is with us!!!
Kim
Laguna Niguel, CA
“All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.” Proverbs 16:2 NIV
Shannon, Birmingham, AL
Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today and forever!
Hebrews 13:8 NIV
Poorna, Indianapolis: “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Christ, the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11 (NIV)
Gina, spring, tx – “many are the plans in the mind of a man but it is the Lord’s purpose that will prevail.” Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Traci from Lakewood, WA
Matthew 18:20
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
So late!! Sorry! This year’s Scripture memorization has meant a great deal to me because it has really helped me know God in a deeper way. I believe He led me to memorize Psalm 103 and then Romans 5 (which I’m still working on). Some very precious truths are now engraved on my heart forever – God is like a Father to me; He is patient with my weaknesses; I have been made right in His sight through the blood of Christ and can now stand confidently, joyfully (!) looking forward to sharing life with Him forever. These are things I have heard for years, growing up in the church, but memorizing them myself straight off the pages of my Bible has made them MINE in a new and powerful way. Thank you, Beth, for giving us this forum – and for motivating us in your own wonderful way. 🙂
“So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” Romans 5:11 New Living Translation
Julie/Deer Park, TX Psalm 19:10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold, they are sweeter than honey than honey from the comb.
Staci Wichita, KS
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
Revelation 22:20 ESV
Susan
Norfolk
James 1:12 Blessed is the one who persevers under trial becaus, having stood the test,that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised.” Hebrews 10:23 KJV
Cheryl/Kemah
Psalm 18: 32
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.
Victoria, Greenbrier AR
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
MarySue Auburndale, Brevard & Wenatchee,Washington:
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”
Romans 15:7
Kaiva in Glen Ellyn, IL
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For you are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4 NKJV
Wilmington NC
Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten rulers of the city. Ecclesiastes 7:19 NKJV
Fran, Jackson TN
“For to us a child is born,to us a son is given,and the government will be on his shoulders.And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NIV
A complete year of memorizing scripture and more times than I could ever count has He brought it forth and caused me to use so very many of them time and time again. His Word is truly life and life changing!
Merry Christmas LPM!!
Love,
Fran
Kelly, Chestefield, MO
Psalm 62- last verse, 12
“and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each
person according to what he has done.” NIV
Appericate this opportunity to memorize God’s word and be accountable to post. It’s
been good and hard. God’s word has the power to change lives. I am blessed that He
has changed my life through the power of His word!!! Glory to God in the highest!
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Eph 3:20-21
Thank you for this journey. Be in prayer as I start a scripture Memory Team in my church. May you and your family have a season that is filled with Joy and Love like the Love He shares and that you emanate.
“For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Col. 1:13,14 (NIV)
Having been on this scripture memory adventure for a year now, God has shown me that, in His power, I can do it!! I’m going to keep going next year. A special blessing that has come with the year, has been that my older sister and I have walked this scripture memory together. We live 1200 miles apart, but have texted, called, and e-mailed back and forth to stay on track. I was able to spend three weeks with her at her home in Montana in October. What a wonderful blessing it was to walk along the Yellowstone River, with my best friend/sister/sister-in-Christ, speaking God’s Word aloud to one another. What a great God we serve! We will be reuniting in Houston! Thank you, Beth, for giving us one more reason to be together!
Whoops! Naperville, IL
Kaila, Springfield, MO
“…He sent me to give them flowers in place of their sorrow, olive oil in place of tears, and joyous praise in place of broken hearts. They will be called “Trees of Justice,” planted by the LORD to honor his name.”
Isaiah 61:3
I know that I am taking this verse out of context, which I hate doing, but I feel like it speaks beautifully of my life right now. A year ago I was devastated when my fiancé broke up with me right after Christmas, saying that everything he had told me had been a lie, and completely degrading me. I didn’t think that my heart would ever heal. However, a little over two months ago God made my path cross paths with an incredible young man at a missions conference. I didn’t want to ever open my heart up to someone again, but we serve a mighty God of healing. Memorizing scripture this year has brought much of that healing through the renewal of my mind. All praise and honor go to Him for the beauty He is making out of my messed up life.
Amber ~ Clarksville, TN
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5 NIV
“The Lord Your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17-NIV
Janell~Clovis, NM
Patti Rae, Saskatchewan, Canada
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Eph.4:29 NIV
Anne Marie, Woburn, MA:
Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”
Lamentations 3:23-24
Nitsa, Eugene, OR.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 NAS
Wow, what a year! This year has been one of the hardest; from marriage problems, moving, job stress, to a son having emergency surgery to remove his colon. The thing that has gotten me through over and over is His Word and the joy of the Lord. It is not about me! My last verse of the year:
Nehemiah 8:10 ESV
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Pam
Brighton, CO
See you all in January!
Cindy, DIberville, MS
but those who hope in the LORD will renew thier strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
LIFE verse!!
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Col. 3:23 NIV
1John 2:27 NIV As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit — just as it has taught you, remain in him.
Glennell Buda, Tx.
Hebrews 13:8 (New International Version)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
I Peter 5:5, NIV
Lynette – Aurora, CO
Isaiah 9:6
New International Version (NIV)
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.