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
Leah Beth, La Crescenta, CA
John 1:1 (TNIV)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Michelle Nunley from Corinth MS: Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalms 119:105 NIV
Moultrie, GA
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1
Jesslyn from Dallas, TX
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23
Crystal, Winfield, MO
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
Proverbs 31:30 NIV
Blair in Austin, TX
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy”
Philippians 2:1 ESV
Pat S., Lago Vista, TX.
“LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.”
Psalm 15:1-2 NKJV
Waynesville, OH Psalm 119:103,104How sweet are Your words to my taste, (Sweeter) than honey to my mouth. 104-Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. NKJV
Janice
Halifax, Nova Scotia
I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4 Holman
Pam from Grandville, MI
Ephesians 3:16-18 NLT
16 “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.”
Kayla, Oklahoma,
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” Matthew 6:21 KJV
Karen Stoltzfus from Lancaster Pa
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, http://bible.us/59/deu.10.12.esv
Darcy, Pittsburgh, PA
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”
John 14:1 (NLT)
Brooke – Houston, TX
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Mark 11:24 NIV
Tamara, Alexandria, Virginia, “But seek ye first the kingdom fo God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”, Matthew 6:33, KJV
Matthew 19:26 NKJV
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Linda Strange, Oak Grove, MO
Fulful ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love,being of one accord, of one mind.
Philippians 2:2 KJV
Sharon from Huntsville, Alabama:
Serve only the LORD your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him. Deuteronomy 13:4 (NLT)
kerry
Sheridan, Wy
Is. 60:1 God’s Word Translation
Arise! Shine! Your light has come and the glory of Yahweh has dawned.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27 NIV)
Janet
Murphy, NC
NIV
James 1:2-5. Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lack wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to you. NIV
~Stephanie – Mammoth Lakes, CA
Isaiah 58:11 The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Dana Qualls; Avon, IN
Romans 12:1 (ESV)
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
Dawn from Silver Spring, MD
Hebrews 4:16 ESV
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Susan from Beverly
1 Thessalonians 5:24 NIV
The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
Isaiah 12:2(NIV)
“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.”
Tamara Ward; Alexandria, Virginia
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”, Matthew 6:33; KJV
Leeanna, Tennessee
Isaiah 43:1-2 ESV
But now, thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
Philippians 3:13-14
(NKJV)
13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
*Lamentations 3:22-24
*NIV
Angela Richter from Alexandria, KY
“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)
Selena- Cordele, GA
The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid.
Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV
Sue D. Gilbertsville PA
“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 a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11. NIV
Sarah BP Milwaukee, WI
Romans 6:12-13 “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness”
A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9 NKJV
Jenny from Dallas, TX
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Sara, Houston, TX
Joshua 1:9 (NASB)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Kay from Hamburg, Arkansas, And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. Mark 4:20 KJV
Cathy from Montpelier, Ohio
I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue. I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.” Psalm 39:1 ESV
Mara, Denver CO- I prayed to the LORD and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy. No shadow of shame will darken their faces. -Psalm 34:4-5, NLT
Danette from Clarkston, MI
“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”
Romans 1:16 NIV
Anna from Canton, GA. “How gracious He will be when you cry for help. As soon as He hears, He will answer you. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way. Walk in it.'” Isaiah 30:19b, 21, NIV.
Gabriele from Birmingham, Alabama
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
Psalm 27:14, ESV
Rachel Wallace; Moncks Corner, SC
Romans 6:1-4
Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
Lisa Johnson, Knoxville TN
Do not be conform any longer to the pattern 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
Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)
Show me your ways, O Lord,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Traci
Knoxville, TN
Eden from Mt Airy Maryland, “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.” Psalm 63:3 NIV
Zakia; Nashville, TN
Ezekiel 12:28 (HCSB)
“This is what the Lord God says: None of My words will be delayed any longer. The message I speak will be fulfilled. [This is] the declaration of the Lord God”
Natalie, Nesbit, MS
“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV
Wendy G from Anderson, IN ” When I think of the scope of God’s plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from His glorious unlimited resources He will give you (me) mighty inner strength through His Holy Spirit. I pray Christ will be more and more at home in your (my) heart as you (I) trust in Him. May your (my) roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love. Ephesians 3:14-17 NLT