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.
Tina, Gahanna Ohio
Titus 3:5
He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. NIV
Karlys, La Place, LA
To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Romans 12:20 ESV
This year I memorized 2 passages on love. HE used them to message my heart & open my eyes. I am so grateful to HIM and to you for the opportunity and accountability. I will be there in January!
Christy, Conifer, Colorado
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 NIV1984
Amen! Memorizing Scripture has been the single biggest blessing in my spiritual life since daily prayer and Bible reading!!! I have always thought that I couldn’t do it, because I never had, but I did it, ending the year with a total of 64 verses (some of my “verses” were passages). This has been a difficult year, my father had a recurrence of lung cancer, went through chemo and radiation, and passed away on November 5. During this battle the Lord has given me comfort through these verses, which I have been able to share with my family. (2 Cor 4:6-9, 16-18) This summer I also had a reunion with some dear Bible study sisters I left in California 6 years ago–we reconnected through the SSMT Challenge. (Rom 12:10-12, substituting “sisterly” for “brotherly”) And even though I can see so many myself, I know the ripple effects of this are far wider than I can even imagine! (Eph 3:20-21) I am so excited to be joining the Siesta party in January, and looking forward to another year of hiding His word in my heart!!!
Thank you so much, Beth! (Numbers 6:24-26!!!)
I waited patiently on the Lord and He heard my cry. Psalm 40:1
Erin Mauney, Evant, TX
He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:8 NIV
I met you Beth at the LPL in Spokane last October (at the Siesta picture!). You told me to save my money and plan on doing the Scripture memory again this year. At that time, I wasn’t so sure I was going to, but I told you yes, and one can’t lie to Beth Moore! So thankful for your encouragement to do this because it has helped me see how God has worked in my life this year-it has been my journal reflected in the verses. God bless you and Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Jenny, Des Moines, IA
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. Heb 10:23 NIV
God has blessed my memory work this year by making His Word come alive to me. I love having His Word on my thoughts and lips. I’ve also began memorizing verses with my children, who love doing this! So grateful for the accountability to keep going and the continue in memory work. This has become habit to me (Praise Him) and I pray that God would help me move forward to learn lots of new Scriptures in 2012.
Kim, Chicago, IL, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Ps.119:11 NIV
Consider it pure joy,my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds James 1:2 NIV Thank-you Beth and family. This has been and always is a blessing.
christina, Plano –
Psalm 34:17-19, HCSB
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears,
and delivers them from all their troubles.
The LORD is near the brokenhearted;
He saves those crushed in spirit.
Many adversities come to the one who is righteous,
but the LORD delivers him from them all.
With chronic illness more or less isolating me from the Bible studies at church and such, this community and accountability has given more encouragement than I expected. Several times I was tempted to “just maintain” and slack off learning new verses, but this strengthened my hands to press on. Thanks for that. (Do know, too, that if health prohibits my participation in the celebration, my heart will be in Houston that weekend.)
Grace and peace to y’all in Jesus Christ!
Joni, Princeton WV
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14 NIV)
This memory work has been health for my mind & my soul! I would’ve never guessed how much intentionally memorizing His Word would change my thinking! Finally my addictive personality has been put to good use haha 🙂 I can certainly say His Word is life to me!
Donna, Sarnia, Ontario
“He makes my feet like the feet of a deer
He enables me to stand on the heights.”
2 Sam 22:34 NIV
A friend from my church and I committed to doing this scripture memory together and with you. We will be having our own mini celebration up here in Canada while you celebrate in Houston.
I praise the Lord for His Word. It is food and drink in my life. I love to memorize passages about Who He is. His Word guards my mind and fills me with praise as I deal with a bone marrow cancer called multiple myeloma. I can’t begin to tell you the joy the Lord has given me in this journey. His grace is truly sufficient and He is so good to me.
Hilary from Langley, BC, Canada, says:
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Phil. 4:8 (NIV).
Tiffany Morse
Dallas, TX
Phil 2:2 NIV
then make my joy complete by being like minded having the same love, being on in spirit and purpose.
This year TRUE LOVE became my focus as the Lord saved my marriage! I learned in great detail that through warfare, betrayal, thought life scripture has great power! I knew this before, but my feet were very worn this year on the pavement of life! Praising God HIS scripts are LIFE!!
Ps 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I may not sin against you. NIV84
Mary Jane, Troy KS and Cindy, King City MO
“And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isiah 9:6b
Memorizing God’s Word has brought us closer to each other and closer to Him. It has kept us sane through some very difficult and trying situations this past year. He truly has been our Wonderful Counselor and our Prince of Peace.
Stacyjo
Spokane, WA
Ephesians 6:10-11 NIV
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8 NIV
One of the highlights of memorizing scripture for me has been doing so alongside my BFF. Thanks to Jodie for spurring me along this journey!
Its been great doing “LIFE” alongside my BFF!! Thank you Vicky for seeing me through every joy and trial that life has thrown at me! God is good!
Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, sister, have refreshed the hearts of saints.
Philemon 7 (NIV)
It hardly seems possible that we are at the end of the journey. My journey has been wonderful. I have come closer in my walk with God and there have been many times my verses have come to mind in a situation. My students that I teach have encouraged me to keep working on my verses when I wanted togive up. This habit has become life changing for me this second time around. It is a habit I will continue for the rest of my life.
While I can’t be at the celebration I will be cheering and partying here at home and praying for us all. You are all the sistas I never had and so I will be tehre in spirit and smiling from ear to ear. This journey is so worth it and even though I can’t be there I am giggling with joy and will raise my teacup to all of us.
Thank you mama beth for all that you do to encourage us to get into God’s word and getting personal with Him. I so needed that and I can’t wait to see what adventure He and I are going on in 2012.
love to you and all the sweet sistas
Tammy
Merla, Lexington, KY
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8 NIV (1984)
Woo Hoo!
Siesta from Virginia, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14, NIV
While I memorized each verse during each period, I can’t say them all now. I thought this was the point of it all, but instead have learned how valuable meditating on one verse at a time has been for me. I was shocked at how often I was able to share my verse with someone who needed that specific encouragement and how often the verse applied so beautifully to what I was experiencing or needing. They also gave me a more accurate glimpse into who God is at times when I needed it.
Thank you, Beth, and to everyone else. I have loved knowing that we were all doing this together.
Now, Beth. One question. Will there be 2012 SMT flip book we can buy?? I need to keep this going:-). Merry Christmas, sweet ladies!!
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 NIV
Traci – Corona, California
John 1:16 – And from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. (ESV)
Dear Lord, I thank You for Your Word and the gift it is in our lives. I look back through this year and it has been a hard one. I had no idea when I started this commitment Lord that I would learn my cancer had returned, and Stage 4 at that. You knew. I look back and see the journey through the scriptures You brought those particular months to encourage, comfort, and strengthen me. I have to be honest with our Siesta momma, and my other Siestas and confess I’ve struggled some months with memorizing the verse or verses because I was so sick. (chemo fries your brain, this I’m sure of). I’m so sad that I won’t be able to attend the celebration, but I promise to pray for every detail of this event. Bless these women, and also others who can’t attend. We all need You Lord. One area or another. Use these verses in our lives and may You be glorified! Oh, how I love You Jesus! Thank You for saving us!! Amen.
Tisha
Pilot Mtn, NC
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15(NIV1984)
Thank you Father for this journey. I have been taught by my Savior to replace fear with faith. My previous acronym for “life” was “living in fear everyday”. Now it is “living in FAITH everyday”. And to Jesus be the glory!! Much love to all my siestas and to you Beth and the entire LPM team.
Paige, Overland Park, KS: “He has told you, O [wo]man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 (ESV)
Looking forward to SSMT in Houston! I have a room at the Omni Fri and Sat nights. Planned roommate can’t come. Would love to help someone who needs housing but can’t afford it by sharing my room with her at no charge. Email me: [email protected].
Karla~Sedro-Woolley,WA~1John 1:5~HCSB~
“Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there absolutely no darkness in Him”.
Stephanie Winder,GA
Phil. 1:6esv And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
This journey has been huge in my life this year. God gave me my verse for 2011 one year ago at Deeper Still in B’ham Isaiah 45:3. He has absolutely blown my mind this year. His word has never been more precious to me. I have fallen in love with Him all over again.
I am so looking forward to our celebration in January!!
Luann, Grand Junction CO, Romans 1:16 NIV
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
It took me way to long to do this memorizing of scripture. I’m not sure how many i could recited from memory right now, so perhaps some reviewing is in order. This is needed. Invaluable. A discipline. Something i am promoting and encouraging other sisters to join me in this next year.
Lorna Beth
Minneapolis, MN
Psalm 84:9-12 (NIV 84)
Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
O LORD Almighty,
blessed is the man who trusts in you.
Nicole, Bloomington, IL”
“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trust in you forever. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4
Peggy from Crowley Lake:
Let your adornment be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. I Peter 3:3-4
debra, Sulphur Springs ~ “God is ALWAYS with me” Genesis 21:22b ~ “be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” Romans 12:12 this verse sumerizes this years Siesta sharings/teachings I ask the Lord to please help find a way for my family to not lose our home of 39 years our homestead since 1946 Blessings to all like Paul broken to pieces but swimming on His merciful grace.
Concetta, White Oak, Isaiah 26:3 NLT, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.”
What an amazing journey…so thankful to God for His perfect word that sustains life and for my fellow sisters who are constantly seeking Him!
Hannah, Perry, MI
In the spirit of Christmas and all God is to me in my life….
“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
This past year has been an amazing journey of delving into Scripture and allowing God to speak His Word to the deepest places of my heart. I have come to love His Word even more and to appreciate the fact that He has a Word for any and every thing I may experience, feel, or think. He is AMAZING! I also have enjoyed reading what the other Siestas are hearing from God; being a part of this community has truly been a huge blessing to me in 2011! Thank you, Beth, for the great posts and for your teachings! Merry Christmas to all of you! Hope to come to Houston in January (I asked for this for Christmas!) 🙂
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord. Psalm 150:5-6 (NIV)
Karen, Ponte Vedra, Florida
Valerie from Taylors,SC – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
I am so excited about this journey. I have memorized Psalm 139 (well, I am still trying to say it all without lookin 🙂 but what a blessing it’s been. To think that the Lord knows me so well and loves me anyhow, blows me away! Can’t wait to meet you other siestas, especially you Beth! Have airline tickets and hotel reservations for myself and my sweet, young 19 year old friend, Emilee, who has also memorized more than 24 verses.We will see you in January, Lord willin’. Merry Christmas to all!
Shelli, Glen Allen, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10) NIV
What an amazing journey this year has been! Beth, I am so grateful to you for igniting a passion in me for the Lord and His Word through your bible studies and this SSMT! This is the first time I have ever memorized scripture and it has been amazing how God has enabled me to do it and even provided me with opportunities to share scripture with others. It has indeed been a delight! Thank you for your contagious joy and enthusiasm for Jesus and most importantly for all of your love and encouragement to us!
Jane, Milton, GA. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. Psalm 23:1 NIV
Karen, Clarksille “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 29:11
This has been a year of journeying with God in defeating many strongholds…the strongest of which is fear. The scriptures I have memorized have not only given me the confidence that I CAN remember His Word, but also been my prayer and call for His help. Thus, the final scripture of trusting my God’s plan for me and my family! The battle continues each day, but as I have truted in God more and more, my victories are greater and greater in Him.
Megan JOY – Calgary, AB Canada – “But the Helper will teach you everything and will cause you to remember all that I told you. This Helper is the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name.” – John 14:26 (NCV)
Lyndsey, La- Exodus 14:13
Memorizing scripture this year has bolstered my faith in having God’s word ever ready on my lips. As we’ve gone through trials and various things this year, I was surprised how the verses popped up in my thoughts first. This has been a hard year but I know I planted good seeds with these verses.
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20
Sister Lynn
Clyde MO
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
(I forgot to give the reference – too much Christmas prep?)
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
PS 139:17 KJV
Cindy,Lexington, KY – Then Job arose and tore his robe and haved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return thre. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God. Job 1:20-22 NIV
I am always amazed at the circumstances when God will use one of the verses memorized to witness or encourage another. It must go in to come out!
Ann Gainesville,
Pslam 51:16-17 NIV
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.
Carla
Iowa
NIV
Psalm 54:4
God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my life
Annette, Toronto ON
Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me.
John 14:1 NKJV
Each of my verses have contained the word “heart.” Thank you Jesus for being my Heart Song, King of kings, Lord of lords, my Saviour and my Joy Inexpressible!
Sacramento
For he will command his angels
Concerning you
To guard you in all your ways
Psalm 91:11
My testimony is that I could not have
Traveled this road of life without Jesus~
jenn, cumming: rescue the perishing. don’t hesitate to step in and help. if you say, ‘hey, that’s none of my business,’ will that get you off the hook? Someone is watching, you know–Someone not impressed with weak excuses. prov. 24:11-12 MSG
this discipline started out as an effort to unite some females across the miles, but God had other plans. it has become an intimate, private conversation between me and God, and i hope that i have internalized what He has been saying. beth’s first verse set the tone–isaiah 43:18-19–and i have taken those words to heart in so many ways this year. i have experienced victory in living in the present and forgetting what’s happened, and through the other verses He has led me to, He has rooted out a disguised sin and freed me!
i will be participating again next year, and can hardly wait for Him to reveal Himself.
HE HAS PERFORMED MIGHTY DEEDS WITH HIS ARM; HE HAS SCATTERED THOSE WHO ARE PROUD IN THEIR INMOST THOUGHTS.
LUKE 1:51 NIV