Congratulations!! You did it!!
As we wrap a bow on our SSMT year and prepare for the upcoming Celebration, we want to send along our encouragement to you to continue in this great work. Some of you have already told us you are continuing to memorize on your own, or have even formed your own local teams. We couldn’t be happier to hear it!
Beth and LPM will plan to see you right back here next Jan 2017 to link arms together to hide God’s Word in our hearts. He is worthy!
Molly-Overland Park, KS “One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: 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 inquire in his temple.” Psalms 27:4 ESV
Marsha, Angleton TX “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 (NIV84)
Sandy Fry, Bowie, MD….this year the verses have helped me to climb out of the terrible pit of devastating grief, the loss of our 2 daughters on 10-29-10 and 3-15-13. I have learned so much about the Lord and am in the process of reclIming my life with Audacious joy…..here’s my verse, selected months ago!
“give unto the Lord the glory due to his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” Ps. 29:2, KJV
Amen, for He is worthy of praise,
Brenda from Byhalia, MS Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV “The Lord your God in your midst,The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Patty from Redmond, WA
Phil 4:6-8 NASB
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Jackie siple Rockledge FL
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
Dianne, Maineville, Ohio
Jeremiah 29 :14a
I will be found by you, ” declares the Lord, ” and will bring you back from captivity.
24 weeks went so fast, this walk has been so empowering in my life.
I have memorized The Ephesians prayer and the Armor God in Ephesianes.
It has been life changing as I pray these prayers almost every day in my life.
Having these prayers part of my life has gotten me through some hard times.
Look forward to our gathering in January. Thank you for all Beth’s team’s hard work and prayers for all of us.
Dana Nance
Blue Ridge, Tx
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.
Psalm 40:3 NIV (1984)
Stacy from Hawkinsville, GA:
But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24 (NIV)
Titus 3:7 NLT
Because of His grace He declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.
Rosalye
Vicksburg, MS
To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen
1Tim. 1:17
ESV
Kris Braun, Shakopee, MN
He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 8:3 NIV
Janine – Corona, CA
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For in it God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Romans 1:16-17 (HCSB)
Oh, what verse to choose for #24! Throughout this year, I would write down Bible references in the back of my SSMT book as I came across Scripture I knew I wanted to memorize. I still have quite a few on that list, but how exciting is that! I may just keep going.
This year I really challenged myself to seek out the context of the verses I worked on, and sometimes that led to the desire to memorize longer passages of Scripture. In my own strength, this would not be possible, so I am so, so grateful for the Holy Spirit, helping me to hide His Word in my heart. Thank you LPM & SSMT! I am forever changed!
Sue, Duncanville, TX
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 (NIV)
Eleanor MacKay, Saskatoon, Sk. Canada
‘For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
The mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing ,
And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.’
Isaiah 55:12 ESV
I memorized three of Paul’s prayers in Ephesians 1 and 3 and Colossians 1 because I want to learn how to pray the important things for myself and my family. We recently had a grandchild born with a serious heart defect. There is so much in these verses that I have been praying for my daughter and son in law and myself and my husband as we struggle during this time. God knew knew what we would need when He put it in my to meditate on these verses.
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:13
Susan, Knoxville, TN
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Connie Johnson; Pittsboro, NC
But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the [a]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you]. John 16:7 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Jen Z. Greensburg PA
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26 NIV
Marleeta, Florence, CO
1 Cor. 13:13 (NASB)
But now abide faith, hope, love, these three: but the greatest of these is love.
Colossians 3:16 NLT
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
Ashley Lewis, Marshalltown, Iowa
1 Cor. 13:7-8a NIV
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, Love never fails.
I have always struggled to memorize scripture and this experience gave me hope and encouragement to keep trying! That every bit of energy I have put into trying to memorize scripture this year is not wasted!!! I may not have it all memorized like “I” want to, but God’s purpose will be accomplished with His Word in my life! I will miss meeting with you all in January! Blessings!
Bonnie, Alexandria, LA
John 15:10 (NLT)
10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
Jackie Watson from Marietta, Ga.
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:26. NIV
Connie Walker, Houston, TX
Luke 2:10-12 (KJV)
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Beth, thanks for cheering us on!
Terri Fullerton, Abilene, TX
In addition to all of this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God and pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and keep on praying for all the saints. Eph 6:16-18, NIV
This is my first year to do the SSMT. I feel like I have stumbled upon Bethlehem or that God helped me find this treasure in a field. This is what memorizing the passages have been like for me. I think what I have come to know is a joy I have never known before. And something is growing in ways I don’t comprehend.
God brought the words up in different ways–for praying, for teaching me, to show me how intimately He knows me. He used the verses to warn me, to prepare me and spur me on. It has been both sobering and empowering. When I have been discouraged this year or the enemy has hissed lies, I have been able to say back, “No weapon forged against you will prevail You will refute EVERY tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, DECLARES THE LORD.” Is 54:17. It gives me hope to know that the accuser WILL NOT win.
Nancy Terwilliger – Lebanon, Tn
But I am not ashamed, because I know the one I have believed in and am persuaded that HE is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day. II Timothy 1:12 HCSB
I am so grateful to be apart of the Siesta Scripture Memory Team. I do not want these verses to be just in my head (memory)but to have my being saturated with his mind and heart so that it comes out in my life. Thank You
Julie, Madison, GA
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
Karen J, Bingham Lake, MN
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Melissa, Sacramento, CA
Now may the God of peace sanctify you completely. And may your spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” 1 Thess. 5:23-24 HCSB
For whatever reason, it was harder to stick with memorization this year. I know it was the Holy Spirit who kept pulling me forward. I praise the Lord for His faithfulness and for the beauty of being able to memorize and live out bible verses with this group of women.
Tessa from Nacogdoches TX
John 15:5 NASB
I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
I started my journey of scripture memory in 2013 with the SSMT. My walk with the Lord became even more intimate and stronger but I think where I have noticed the biggest change is in my prayer life. I love love love being able to pray scripture to my Father, know that He takes great joy in my speaking His Word back to Him. I know also I am praying in His Will when I quote those precious passages and He will keep His Word to me, fulfill every promise in them and continue filling me with His Sweet Holy Spirit. Looking so forward to the celebration in January!!!
Jerrie – Longview, TX – Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
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.
Shelly Albertville MN
Psalm 13:6 KJV
I will sing to the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
Letha Cullman, AL. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. ESV Colossians 3:6-7
Terry, Granbury NLT
Colossians 2:7
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Claire Veronie, Bryan, TX
“You must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which can not profit or deliver, because they are futile. For the Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself.” 1 Samuel 12:21-22 NASB
Kristi B.
Houston, Tx
Psalm 100:4-5
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
1 Timothy 1:17
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen
Jenny
Covington, KY
“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”
Isaiah 61:10 NIV
Ruth Somers
Baton Rouge, LA
As for me, I said in my alarm, “I am cut off from before your eyes”; Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications when I cried to You. Psalm 31:22. NASB
Linda Smith, The Woodlands, TX
Phil. 4:19(NIV)
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Dawn from Orland Park, IL
“He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us again. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us.” 2 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV)
As I memorized the truths and promises from God’s Word, they have encouraged me and I have used them to encourage others. God’s word is alive and active. Thanks be to God!
Kathy leesville,la You pushed me violently that I might fall,But the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and song…Psalm 118:13-14a
Shelley, Brigham City, Utah
2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV
If my people, who are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18
Sherron Watkins, Houston, TX
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Cor 9:15 NIV
Shannon Scarborough, Shelby, MT
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)
Laura Hagedorn, Rib Mountain, WI., “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”. John 16:33 NIV
Helen Roseberry, Riverside, CA
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:31:32 (NIV)
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A verse in Isaiah struck me so deeply during my year of scripture memorization.
Isaiah 49:25b is one I would say over and over for so many people, including my own children: “Lord, contend with the enemy who contends with us and save my children (friends, neighbors, specific names).” It was a prayer that would come to my heart so easily and relieve the stress of trying to do anything in my own strength to see loved ones be freed from the captivity of their sin and come to Jesus. I would find such a comfort in my “simple” but profound cry to Him. I know that He heard me and that my prayers spoken in faith are not ineffectual even if I don’t see a result right away. I am trusting that each and every prayer is stored up with Him and not forgotten and that He is working in each heart as each simple prayer was spoken in faith.
Helen – Your words “rang true” to my heart and I am going to start using this cry to the Lord as my own for me and my family. I also love what you said about trusting that God hears each cry and holds it close as He continues working and bringing the answer. Thanks so much for this way to pray! This is a life-saver!!
Debbie, from Colorado Springs, says
Luke 11:13 NIV
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask (and continue to ask) Him!