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.
Ingrid, Frenchtown, MT
Romans 12:1-2 And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrific–the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
I have been so grateful to God for this time of writing His Word on my heart. He has used the scriptures He led me to memorize so many times and in so many different lives starting with my own. His Word truly is life and I have seen the transformation of knowing and living His way and in His Word as never before..and I have belonged to Him for 38 years. Praise God!! I have felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to commit to continuing this model for writing His Word in my heart next year. I look forward to the celebration get-together in Houston in about a month.
Tammy from Fort Myers, Florida: “The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust in him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” Psalm 28:7 NLT
Valerie
Sparks, Nevada
Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because He raised Christ from the dead and gave Him great glory.
1 Peter 1:21 NLT
Karene, Yorba Linda, CA
“Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do,
everywhere you go;
He’s the one who will keep you on track.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 (The Message)
This is my 2nd year of doing Scripture memory, and both years, I am amazed how God helped me find verses every month that applied exactly to where I was and what I needed. I so wish I could be there at the celebration in January. Just too expensive. Will miss meeting everyone! Thank you, Beth, for this wonderful way to bathe our minds in Scripture!
Psalm 119:47-48, NLT
How I delight in your commands!
How I love them!
I honor and love your commands.
I meditate on your decrees.
With the end of one year and the beginning of a new;
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 NKJV
Beth:
Thank you for an incredible year!
And to my friend Stacy for showing me the path!
awww. . . God shows you the path my friend – I was just a conduit 🙂 I thank you too Beth – Lynn and I will continue this next year and anyone who is willing to join us!!
God Bless!!
Stacyjo
Carol Florence, MA
Send forth your light and your truth,
let them guide me;
let them bring me to your holy mountain,
to the place where you dwell.
Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God, my joy and my delight.
Psalm 43:3-4 NIV
Memorizing scripture has brought me closer to God and kept him in my thoughts daily. I am amazed that often He would bring me to the right scripture even before I looked for it. God’s word has sustained me through one of the hardest years of my life and I am humbled and thankful. Praise be to God our Savior!
“For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 – ESV
Betsy Crawford, Chapin, SC
Katie, Augusta, Ga: And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord. Luke 1:45 (NASB)
I have been in church since the day I was born and have lived for the Lord since I was old enough to understand and walk the church aisle by myself. I’ve gone through seasons as a teenager and young adult where the word of God has been alive to me, but for the majority of my life have not used my bible like I should. I made the New Year’s Resolution to be in the word this year with the goal of memorizing scripture, and happened upon this group in January. It has been such a blessing to hold me accountable on the 1st and the 15th and with my memory work. I have prayed for God to give me a unsatisfialbe hunger for His word this year and He has been faithful to do so. I’ve even gotten my Mom and both of my younger sisters on board with the 1st and 15th being memory verse day as the year has progressed, and all 4 of us will continue on in 2013 with our memory verse days. God’s word is everything is says it is and I pray that each participants hunger for Him and His word continues to grow as this year closes and a new one opens!
“I run in the path of Your commands,
For You have SET MY HEART FREE.”
Psalm 119:32 (NIV)
Roberta, Fanshawe, OK
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)
Thank you Beth for encouraging me to write down these scriptures to memorize. Even if I do not memorize them perfectly, they are with me. Your challenge has helped me learn more of Scripture and more about Jesus.
Dawn in Monett, MO
Ecclesiastes 9:17 NIV
The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
The verses I’ve learned have sustained me and guided my prayers this year. Today we get to celebrate. My niece Megan is giving birth to my great nephew Hudson today!!!!
Jane, Port Orchard, WA. !Cor 15:57-58 …but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.(NASB)
Patty, Granite Bay, 2Timothy 3:16-17 NIV “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
I am so thankful to have been a part of this memory work. It has been a tough year and God has been faithful. His word gives us so much encouragement and I am grateful for his unfailing love. I desire to continue in 2012 memorizing scripture. Thank you for all the encouragement!
Charissa – West Chester, OH
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Jennifer, North Charleston, SC:
Col. 3:12 (NIV)
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
I started out this year being very dry spiritually. I began this process almost out of desperation to reconnect in some way with the Lord. I had no idea what scriptures to choose, and even though I asked God for his help, I still wondered if I was just picking verses at random. As the year progressed, I was first tickled, then amazed, then overjoyed as these verses that I was memorizing kept popping up in different places, reminding me that the Lord was leading me and gently showing me that he is at work in me.
Carol
Albuquerque, NM
Psalm139:13-14NIV
13-For you created my inmost being you knit me together in my mother womb.
14- I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made your works are wonderful I know that full well.
Thank you so much there is no better thing to do than to hide the word of God in your heart this has been a tuff yr. but I thank God for His word that has what got me thru and prayers I have been unemployed for 2 yrs and Dec1st of this yr. I finally got a job offer Praise the Lord, so I had already got my plane tickets for SSMT a while back and so after I got the job offer in Dec. and my job starts Jan. 2012 I thought it would be to soon to ask for that time off so as far as I know I won’t be there unles God changes things but I am very thankful to have a job so it will be a new place and a new yr and everybody that will be starting is also brand new so I am thankful. Thankful for scripture verses and for LPM and Beth Moore and her family you all have blessed me more than you know.
Love Carol
He has made everything beautiful in its time.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV
Barb, Lakewood, CO: As Beth has said in her own words, this journey shared with Jesus through all of you has meant more to me than words can adequately express. I will miss ‘talking’ with each and every one of you through scripture every 1st and 15th. My very best wishes for a 2012 filled with continued spiritual growth through His Holy Word. Much love and happiness!
Deuteronomy 32:3,4 NKJV: “Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock. His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He.” AMEN for 2011!!
The LORD has done GREAT things for us and we are FILLED with JOY!!!
Psalm 126:3
Whoohoo!!!! Praise the Lord!!! What a year this has been–I am so grateful that you provided this accountability to memorize Scripture through 2011. I look back at my little spiral and it makes me smile to SEE all that He has done through those truth-filled words. Oh, how I want them to sink deep down into my heart. I don’t want to just rattle off my memory work to get a gold star–I want to these words to be my life. This was my first year of marriage and ooooh, I needed these Scriptures to remind me again and again what true love looks like and how to die to my me-first mentality. I won’t be able to join you siestas in Houston but oh, I will be with you in spirit! God is good and I know he will be in that place with such delight! The Lord IS good and He HAS done great things for us, hasn’t he? His word does not return void and I know that all of us women will be changed because of this. What beauty. I love him so much. 🙂
And I love you guys too! Blessings and Merry Christmas!!!
Jennie from Glendale, CA
Donna Hill
Clarksville, TN
NKJV
Luke 2:13-14
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Jeanette Tualatin, OR
Philippians 3;13-14 I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above.
I want to thank you all for this supportive community. To walk this path of life together speaking God’s word to each other has been such an encouragement to me. God’s word now flows into my speech to family and friends easier and at the right time instead of after the situation is over. May God bless you all this Christmas and in 2012.
Kathy, Hendersonville, TN
“Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4 NIV
Beth, I heard you recently say something to the effect of: did we really think that we were just getting smarter all of a sudden? (sheepishly, I admitted that, yes, I had thought that. Ugh!). Didn’t we realize that this new outpouring of desire to saturate ourselves in God’s Word was complete evidence of a moving of God’s Holy Spirit. With your encouragement to memorize to new degress, I’ve seen God give ability that I’m pretty sure I’ve never had before. Yes, the days are getting darker, but Ohh how His Word shines brighter still!!
Come, Lord Jesus!!
Nancy, Sanger
“Don’t be selfish, don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests but take an interest in others too. You must have the same attitude as Christ jesus had.”
Phil 2:3-5 (NLT)
This has been exciting. I did the SMT two years ago, but this year two girls from my small group have joined me. We all finished and will see you in January. What has helped me so much is to not worry so much about getting it letter perfect but instead concentrate on it impacting my heart and my life.
Melissa, St. Mary’s County, MD For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. Philemon 7 KJV
Will we do this again in 2012? With new spirals? 🙂
Janet, Georgia: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” -Hebrews 13:15, NIV
Dayna~Ontario,Calif.
Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people.
Luke 1:68 NKJV
I have so enjoyed this year with you Beth and all of you Siestas! I started in Jan., got the cute little index card flipbook to write them in and I just was so blessed by the whole experience. Sometimes I did really well memorizing and sometimes not so well. Surprisingly (not) I had many opportunities to share my memory verses! Looking forward to next year!!!
Can we buy a new spiral book yet Beth?
Love you all, you have made a difference in this life!
Dayna 🙂
Teri S. Gadsden, AL
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly. Proverbs 31:26 NIV
This has been one of the toughest years I’ve faced, however, each scripture memorized was chosen to help me face the next day. Thank you for the challenge and I can’t wait to celebrate with you in Houston!!!
Megan, Prattville, Al: “And we urge you brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 (NIV)
Roxie, Jerseyville, Luke 2:11 NIV
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: He is Christ the Lord.”
Hiding scripture in my heart has given me comfort, a weapon, and wisdom. I look forward to 2012. How can I get a new spiral for 2012. My friend Kathy bought this one for me. Thank you so much for the leadership and this blog. Love you all. Roxie
Deidra – Waynesboro
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending,saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Revelation 1:8 KJV
The Lord has used these verses over and over in my life over the last year. In many different situations, a verse would come to mind when I needed it, and I would be able to share with someone else. I am sorry that I won’t be there in January. I have not had the privilege of meeting any of the other siestas, but I love you all. Have a very Merry Christmas. I appreciate you and your ministry greatly, Beth.
Jennifer; Houston: Search me, O Lord, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139: 23-24
Leigh & Anna, Montgomery: Not doing a new verse today. Doing a review of Matthew 6:19-34 MSG. My daughter and I have been working on this passage since April 15th. We want to fully digest the passage as a whole. Doing SSMT with my 11 y.o. daughter has been so meaningful for both of us. Through early part of the year, she did her own verses. We joined forces for the Matthew 6 passage.
Well, here we go with our final SSMT entry of the year.
“Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or – worse! – stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.”
“Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!”
“You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and money both.”
“If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to Him than birds.”
“Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion – do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.”
“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers – most of which are never even seen – don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works.”
“Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Matthew 6:19-34 MSG
Terry in Louisa, VA
“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” Luke 2:20-21 KJV
Thank you, Beth, for the Scripture memory challenge! 2011 will go down in my personal history book as one of the most difficult and heartbreaking years of my life. God’s Word has been my refuge and strength. I especially love that when my mind wants to wander and worry, I can take control of my thoughts by reciting my Scriptures. The greatest blessing for me is that the Word is always with me, even when my Bible is not.
Rachel, Rochester, NY: “The LORD has done great things for us and we are filled with joy.” – Psalm 126:3
I am so glad we all stuck with SSMT, and finished strong…to God be the glory! Memorizing Truth this year has transformed my thought life, and has been such a hope to cling to during difficult times. My very favorite SSMT verse has been Philippians 4:8. Whenever I find myself in a funky mood or my thoughts aren’t very positive, I ask myself: Is this true?…honest?…just?…pure?…lovely?…of a good report? And if it’s not, God is quick to show me! I’m so thankful for this community, and for God who allowed these verses to stick in my mind and my heart!
Judy from Lake Charles, LA
“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within
me.” Psalm 51:10
We made it, Lord! What a blessing it has
been to have committed so many
verses to memory. I have repeated many of
them back to the Lord so many times this
year when I needed wisdom or strength.
I’m looking forward to the celebration in
Houston!
“I can do all things through Christ which gives me strength.” NKJV Philippians 4:13
FORGIVE ME PLEASE! Please give me a mic and a platform!!!!! Forgive me that this is gona be longer~
Taken from a composition I wrote entitled “Coping Effectively With Bipolar”. It merited a first place award at a NAMI convention in Orlando Fl several years ago:
“The depression cheats me of the chance to enjoy the beauty of spring. I do not see the vibrant colors of the tulips that line the walkways and paths in the spring. I do not even smell the light airy fragrance of the flowering blossoms that disappear so quickly in a spring shower. As I gaze across the prairies I see only the abandoned farmstead. A barn door hangs precariously by a rusty hinge. The farm house once filled with life reminds me now of a toothless child as I gaze at the windows. Some windows are still intact other windows are gone permitting all of nature to visit at will.”
A hopeless picture, but that was what life looked like for me several years ago. Yes, I walked with Jesus and I eluded to it later in the writing but this is how life looked and though I believed God for a miracle of healing, I seriously had my doubts I would ever be delivered. Well, He worked inspite of my doubts. As I became more in love with the Word through a neighborhood Bible study and I saw the infectious way that Beth could convey her love for the Lord and the Word, well it just had to rub off!!! Slowly I started noticing I needed less antidepressant and medication. My psychiatrist has asked me so many times what has made such a change in me he says he has never seen this before in his practice. It is difficult for me to see how I could be so depressed that I wanted my life to end but it is completely gone. Dare I thrust God for a miracle? A loud YES! Can I do all things through Christ??? Absolutely!
Now, some would say that there is nothing worse than a mental case who has got a little “religion”. In fact if you are classified as bipolar (which now I am beginning to wonder if I ever really was a bonafide bipolar personality) you are forever thought of as just being manic if you ever get excited about any thing so I have to be very careful, but I can say this is not a high in that sense of the word. The manic highs I had were characterized as being very irritable, unable to sit still for more than afew moments at a time. It was not a delirious state at all for me. I once lived in so much fear. Now, I walk in confidence unafraid of what anyone thinks or does. The more time I spend in Bible study and with Him the better I feel! PTL!!!
Betty, this testimony encourages me so. Someone close to me was diagnosed as bipolar almost 3 years ago but only just told me this year. I am only just learning about the illness and a little anxious of probing too deeply because of what I might find (to fuel worry for this person). I’m so glad by God’s providence this comment came to my attention. May God continue to stabilize your health in every way and keep you growing in the grace and knowledge of Himself.
Heb. 13:8
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today and for ever.
KJV
Barb, Prescott Valley, AZ “I know that You can do anything, and no one can stop You.” Job 42:2 (NLT) OR the Amplified version: “I know that You can do all things, and that no thought or purpose of Yours can be restrained or thwarted.” (thwarted=opposed/prevented/defeated) (restrained=controlled)
[probably the shorter one but I like the restatement of the Amplified version.
Memorizing these verses has been so amazing for me – I have to admit that I do not have all of these last verses completely memorized, but repeating the verses over & over, I have come to new revelations about our God & Saviour!!! And as I repeat them it so amazes me how much I need that verse, just at that moment!!!! Thank you so much Beth for allowing God to continue to use you mightily thru all of your life experiences and for starting this Blog!!! May you & all of the dear ones who read & comment on this blog be Blessed in a new way this season! Love to you all!!!
Lala Ball Cooper in Ruston, Louisiana, says:
“I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.”
1 John 2:14 KJV
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things. And what you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:8 (The Net Bible)
Memorizing God’s word has been an amazing and wonderful journey of blessings still unfolding. In the early morning hours when I review my scriptures, I am reminded of God’s faithfulness through a difficult and challenging year. Every passage has been chosen to reflect my greatest need for the moment — hope, encouragement, healing, perseverance, repentance. Reciting each scripture passage is like reading through a diary, remembering God’s mighty presence in the midst of life’s heartaches for myself and the ones I love: a job layoff, emotional illnesses, a life-threatening surgical complication, cancer, and facing the besetting sins that quench His Spirit. His Word is living and active! Thank you, Beth, for leading us on this great and powerful adventure of faith! I’m looking forward to celebrating with my Siestas in Houston!
Brenda, Denton, Tx: Romans 16:27 “to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.”
A sweet smile comes to my face as I look over my spiral of verses. It is like a journal of my year, for I chose verses that related to the circumstances at that time. As the year wore on, the verses took on new meanings and became even richer to me. On sleepless nights, I would start with Jan. and recite each verse. Tears of happiness would flow from the joy of God’s truth. (I would never make it through all of my verses before I fell asleep.)It is a year I will cherish! I love you, Beth Moore!
Cheryl, Redlands, CA: 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)
“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
Thank you for the challenging us to put God’s word in our hearts this year. Looking forward to celebrating God’s goodness with you in January!
Karen, Wildwood, MO
“Has not the Lord gone ahead of me?” Judges 4:14 NIV
WOW! When I began the year with all of you, I prayed fervently “O yes, Lord, crown this year with your bounty for only your carts overflow with abundance.” And he has! I have fallen in love with my Lord and Savior, Jesus! And you are right, Beth, Jesus is our everything! Ever so gradually, throughout this year, He has shown me the ways that He loves me and my family. He has revealed things too painful for me to look at or admit about myself for too many years. He’s given me courage and most of all, He was there, always, and kept saying, “I love you, Karen.” Many circumstances in my life have not been resolved. God has not swooped down from His heavenly throne and given me the proverbial pot-of-gold. But, I no longer panic with anxiety and am walking for the first time clothed with strength and dignity. (This has been a year of reading, again and again “So Long Insecurity”). I could not have gotten to this place without all of you, wonderful Siestas! I also sing your verse, Beth, and thank you for your prayer! I look for Him to initiate and enable me. And I expectantly go forward into 2012 with the words of another woman, Deborah, who declared “has not the Lord gone ahead of you?”
Stephanie, La Habra, CA “The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.” Psalm 45:11 NIV
God’s faithfulness and love is beyond words not only this past year, but throughout my life. Let’s trust Him with everything in our hearts sisters, for He is worthy!
Sallie Howell, Tupelo, MS
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18 ESV
I have been so blessed this year with the scripture memory. It has helped me find stregth and hope during hard days of chronic illness. It has helped me find guidance in decisions. It has given me encouragement that if God is the leader of my life then I can help lead and serve others. I feel so much growth and struggle as I review my verses. I so wish that I could come meet ya’ll. What a connection to Godly women! Thank you for being our accountablity…gentle reminder that we are suiting up together for the battle. I will continue my bi-monthly scripture memory. It is a blessing!
James 1:21 (NIV)
21 “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”
Throughout this past year, God has showed me that His word is truely living and active and that His word will accomplish what He intends for it to do. He also taught me to not merely listen to the word and deceive myself, but to DO what it says! May it be so in my life.
Beth- Thought you would want to know that my sister just celebrated 1 year sobriety!!! I was honored to attend the meeting with her and see her chip! God is so good and gracious. :)I want you to know that God is using “Praying God’s Word,” “So Long Insecurity,” and “Get Out of That Pit” as part of her healing process and the start of a faith journey. She is in her 20s and really connected with your writing. All glory to Jesus’ strong Name!!!
-Katie
Joshua 24:15b (NIV)
“…But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Memorizing the Word of God this year has been powerful for me. God brought these back out of me many times over the year so that I began to see that He had indeed written them on my heart so they would be there when He needed me to speak them. I’ve shared my experience with the ladies at my home church and now we’re going to have our own scripture memory team for 2012. We’re calling it “Faith Words 2012, developing a no-matter-what kind of faith.” I can’t wait to see how God plans to use these words and sisters to build up our local family of faith.
See you in Houston in January!
Michelle, New Richmond – So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. Ps 90:12 NKJV
Mary Ann, Woodbury, MN
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 1:7 (ESV)
It has been such a honor to share the scripture memory with all of my sisters in SSMT. This is my third year. I hope you don’t mind I took your verse for my last one this year. It is just so AWESOME and appropriate as we are finishing Stepping Up Saturday morning. We, God’s GALS, have been on a journey together these past few months.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!!