Finally!!!!!!!!
Are you ready, Sisters? Do you hear me cheering?? I have never been more excited about doing this.
I am on the verge of doing about 10 backward flips on my hardwoods. I said on the verge. Not quite doing it. Well, I’m doing it in my heart. That counts for a lot around here.
SO LET’S DO THIS THING! Now, promise me this! Promise me you will read this entire post before you leave a single comment. I know you’re about to burst and I am, too, and, for that reason, I’ll keep it as short as possible. It’s so important that we get our ground rules firmly established so that we’ll have a fabulous experience. Remember, hundreds of our participants this time around are brand new so let’s make sure everybody’s on the same page.
A few things you absolutely MUST KNOW:
*Your comment to this post is your official registration onto the team. Everybody starts at Verse 1 no matter when they begin the process. (Word gets around and we often still have people joining in with us even in March and April. We don’t mind how late they begin as long as they can catch up, memorize their verses, and document each one of them on the proper post as an official participant.) This launch post will remain right here in this January 1st 2013 slot all year long and each new person will need to make her first entry here. This is how we track who signed up when we get to the end of the year and it’s party time.
*Your comment must be strictly limited to the following 5 pieces of information: name, city, verse, reference, translation. I’ll say it slower now for those brand new to the process:
Your name (or first name if you prefer), city. Your verse for that two-week period written all the way out, the reference for it (where it is found in the Bible: Book, chapter, verse) AND the *translation you’ve taken it from.
(*For instance, is the Bible you’ve pulled the passage from a KJV, an NAS, HCSB, NIV or NLT? Or is it The NET Bible, The Message or another similar version? The translation almost always appears on the outside spine of a Bible. If not, you will find it on the first few pages. If you’re looking on line, you’ll get an option to choose a translation. Do so as it speaks most clearly to you. We aren’t fussing over translations here in our memory work. You also do not need to stick with one version throughout.)
Just those 5 pieces of information! They will comprise every comment to this post. And the moment you start scrolling through all of them, you’ll see why. Page after page after page after page of Scripture and each one telling a reader exactly where to find it. It is the most powerful sight to behold. This invites people who are not participating in the memory work to reap tremendous benefits by just reading the comments and taking strength from verses they may not have known existed. This way it has the potential to bless our whole community or any weary visitor to our blog. I’ve been in crises before and gotten on the comment pages and scrolled from Scripture to Scripture and practically wept with relief and fresh courage or revelation. That’s why it’s best to keep the SSMT comments as succinct as possible. If you’ve got an exclamation in you that you just can’t hold back, you can occasionally make the briefest comment like, “I really need this one!” or “I’m sharing so-and-so’s verse” but, please, no more than that.
Comments other than the verse-entries on the 1st and 15th of each month can’t be approved. I’m so sorry and I hope you’ll understand. Thousands of us will be doing this together so the moderation process is monumental from the administrative side. The verses will be all Lindsee and I can handle in the comments for our two SSMT days per month. Keep in mind: NONE OF THESE INSTRUCTIONS PERTAIN TO THE OTHER BLOG POSTS HERE AT LPM. We will be completely free to do our regular thing on all other posts! The really stringent rules are only for the 1st and 15th of each month in 2013 and in reference to Siesta Scripture Memory Team. I hope that makes sense!
*Your comment may take 24 hours to get moderated (or posted if you’re new to the blog process) and sometimes a bit longer if it falls over a weekend. We try our hardest to stay up with it but on those days when 500+ come in at once, it’s quite a task! But we love it! It just requires a little patience on all sides! Before you assume that your entry somehow vanished and you’re tempted to write it again, give it one full day and see if it shows up. Keep track of what time you posted it and double check the comments around that same time. The accidental repeats make it much harder to track participation through the course of the year so always double check. If you don’t find it a day later, by all means, post it again!
*Remember that you get to choose your own verse! That’s really important! The ease with which you can memorize a verse is greatly impacted by how much it means to you. The more you need it or want it, the more you’ll absorb it. If you come up dry at times, no problem! You can either share my verse or another in the comment line that really speaks to you.
*PRAY that God will bless you in this endeavor and will enable you to memorize His Word! Ask continually throughout the entire year! When I get stuck and frustrated that I can’t get my words in order, if I’ll stop what I’m doing and ask God to supernaturally infuse me and help me to concentrate, you would not believe how quickly a breakthrough will come.
Are you about to stuff a sock in my mouth?? I’m about 2 seconds from stuffing one in my own mouth. Melissa gave me two new pair of boot socks for Christmas so at least I have fresh choices.
All right, already! Here goes mine! In honor of our process ahead and how willing the Holy Spirit is to help us…
Beth from Houston Texas, But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 NIV84
Here’s one more alternative if you’ve never memorized it for a new year! I just love it for January 1st:
You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NIV
May God’s grace abound to you, Sweet Thing. WELCOME! We have such a fabulous challenge ahead of us. GOD, GRANT US YOUR GOOD FAVOR!
So…what are you waiting for??? SIGN IN WITH VERSE ONE!
PS. I thought you guys might find it a bit amusing that I brought in the first 300 comments in the CAR on the way to the airport to catch my Atlanta flight for Passion 2013. Laughing. You keep your blog mama busy. I love you so!
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Shannon from Pekin, IL “O Soverign LORD! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32:17 (NLT)
LorI from Pine Island, MN
“Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3 NIV
2 Kings 6:16,17 NLT
Kristi, Lenoir City
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150:5 NIV 1984
Jennifer from Carrollton, TX – Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (2 Chronicles 20:12 NIV)
Lorna, Statesville, NC
Philippians 3:10 The Message (MSG)
10-11 I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.
Chelsea, Forest, MS- “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out– plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” Jeremiah 29:11 The Message
Connie, from Pickerington, OH “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” II Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Rena from Tulsa, OK: “O Israel [Rena], put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel [me] from all their [my] sins.” Psalm 130:7-8 NIV-1984
Robyn W. from Clinton, Arkansas Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord:and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalms 127:3 KJV
Terri from Senoia, GA
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23, NKJV
Tonja from Abilene, Texas, But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 NIV
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thess. 3:3 NAS
Andrea from Birmingham, AL
I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing
John 15:5 NKJV
Carmen; Loveland,OH; Psalms 23:1-2a; NIV84
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.
Kelli, Apex N.C.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 ESV
Lauren from Magee, MS: “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” -Psalms 37:3,4 NIV
Lindsey St. Augustine, FL, “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” Proverbs 31:25 NIV
Teri from Wayne, MI
“You are my witnesses”, declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe and understand that I am He. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.”
Isaiah 43:10 NIV
Mary G. from St. Paul, MN
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 NIV
Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk. For to You I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8 NAS
Mica from Granger- “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 NLT
Beth Stone, Deltona, FL . “For we are all God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
Lily, Birmingham, Al
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Lora in Mooresburg “And mark that you do this with humility and discipline – not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love,” Ephesians 4:2 The Message
Stacey, Albuquerque, NM-You crown the year with your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NIV
Diana, North Attleboro, MA
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. Proverbs 29:11 NIV84
Megan from Houston, TX
Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 NASB
Aubree from San Antonio, TX
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12 ESV
Glenda from Antioch, IL
I am still confident of this: I will see the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14 NIV
Julie dk in Casper, WY
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord
Psalm 31:24 NIV
Stephany from St. Petersburg, FL
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” James 6:14 KJV
Christy McElfresh, Elizabethtown, KY, “So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives and humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong enough to save your soul. James 1:21 NLT
Stefanie, Moses Lake, WA – James 1:2-4 ESV
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Toni from Greer, SC, 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. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
Lu from Cadillac, MI
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you, will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 (NASB)
Becky from Brewer, Maine
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:37-39 (ESV)
Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. KJV
Kara from Rutledge, Tennessee: “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 1 Corinthians 7:1 NASB
Jenifer from Frisco, Texas
Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature.
Romans 12:2 CEB
Susie Lee from Korea
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (NLT)
Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Isaiah 43:18-19 MSG
Kathy from Madison, CT
“Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous ? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 HCSB
Marion from Perry, FL
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Phillipians 4:13 KJV
Kat from Wilmington, NC
“Reconcile yourself with God,
And be at peace with him;
in this way your prosperity will be good.”
-Job 22:21 (NET)
Debbie Kilgallin, Rochester, MN
9 Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door! 10 For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy. 12 But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned. 13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. 16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.
Oops!! NLT
RATS!! James 5:8-18!
“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Renee Huntington, WV
Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 NLT
Pamela, Leesville, LA
“Come now, let us reason together,”
says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.”
Isaiah 1:18 (NIV)
Hollie, Mount Vernon
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV