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!
Carol Rice Deer Park, Texas
For ground that has drunk the rain that has often fallen on it and that produces vegetation useful to those it is cultivated for, receives a blessing from God.
Hebrews 6:7 (HCSB)
Teri Wymore in Millington, TN
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Lisa Atkinson, Chappell Hill TX
” When they saw the star they were overjoyed.”
Matthew 2:10(NIV)
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 KJV
Carolyn , Terrace BC Canada
Psalm 65:11
You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.
I have been amazed at the verses God has showed me and how relevant they have been to the few weeks I was focusing on them. Not only for encouragement but also advice for situations that came up.i am praying this verse over my family my business and my church as we end 2015. I pray God’s riches blessings over each one of you Siesta’s.
Walker, LA:
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:11 ESV
It’s been a year of change with the our baby girl graduating high school, moving out for college, and the passing of my mother in law to name a few. But God is always so good! His word becomes more precious with each season of life.
Jeanette Plummer from Mesquite, TX:
“He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught,” ~Isaiah 50:4b
Joy
West Monroe, LA
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert, and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 NIV
Lisa, Hutchins, TX
This year has been a life changer. I have always memorized scripture with the thought that I need to be able to share with another person how to be saved. These scriptures however were chosen because they were a blessing to me. I have the precious ability now to have a conversation with the Lord about His advice to me to be soberminded and watchful, and not be foolish about His will for me, all the while confident in his voice behind me telling me the way to go and that He has set me free from slavery. He hems me in, He knew me even before I was born, He does far more with my requests than I can imagine, and I just can’t help it, my tongue confesses Jesus Christ is Lord!
All this while walking the dog.
Isaiah 55:11 ESV
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Berni, Albuquerque, NM
“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for
finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus–the work
of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace
of God.” Acts 20:24 NLT
Debbie, Huntsville, AL 2 Corinthians 4:17 “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
Suzanne Carlson – Ridgefield, WA
Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:30-33 NKJV
Donna Lange, Mobile, AL
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Colossians 1:17 (KJV)
Crystal, Livonia, Michigan
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name”
Psalm 100:4
I CAN NOT begin to describe what this year of memory work has done for me. As my 3rd time to memorize with SSMT, I have never experienced the power I did this year!! Praise You, Jesus!! My husband has been elected to the top leadership position in our church. This is something we never thought or wanted for our family. We were happy to support others in it. We were told in January there would be a voting time in October for our church. This is a lifetime appointment and we have 4 young children and we just turned 40. Usually, it is someone in their 60’s. We were humbled and have felt so unworthy of such a high calling and so scared of the responsibilities. Also – the whole voting period was intimidating…for people to vote if you are worthy of something you never saw for yourself and just having people “evaluate” you and your family.
All of that to say God worked in my heart through this SSMT in unspeakable ways. It was such a pruning time for God and I. My sweet hubby didn’t want to talk about it at all because we were not sure we were going to get it and he didn’t want to worry before the vote. Well – the Lord was my sounding board. Such a sweet time for He and I. We was the BFF I needed and each SSMT, He would give me such a Word of encouragement. I wish I could list the amazing ones He gave me…some just through His Word. Some through you, Beth (via your verses) and some through the guest bloggers. The one that sticks out most to me is “Rise, Stand upon thy feet for I have made you a minister and a witness”. I now know God has raised my man up for this. He is a mighty man of God who loves people and will serve with all his heart. I can still get overwhelmed by my need for privacy or not to be in the “spotlight” but I KNOW this is God’s plan for us and we will walk in obedience through it. He spoke so clearly through my SSMT verses.
This will be my first year coming to the celebration and it is to celebrate God’s work in my life and in my heart!!
Bless you all for your work to make it happen for us. Beyond thrilled! I love you and hope to serve with joy – just like you do Sweet Beth!!
“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 NIV
Becky Douglas
Houston, TX
2 1/2 years ago we moved and none of our kids came with us. 2 were still in college and one was already working. Since that time the two have graduated and started working. People often ask me what I do and I am at a loss for what to say because although I will always be a mom it no longer requires most of my time. I have been allowed to spend much time in God’s word and prayer but I never feel like that is an answer for what i do with my time. Through memorizing these verses I have come to realize that not only is this a good answer but it is a perfect way to spend my time..with Him and in prayer for those I love.
Phil 1:6
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day fo Christ Jesus
Billie, Cincinnati, OH
Psalms 116:7 NIV
Be at rest once more, O my soul,
For the Lord has been good to you.
The ultimate souvenir from 2015! Memorization has been a new experience for me. Previously, I just wasn’t open to the discipline. Today I am basking in the accomplishment! I have been pleasantly surprised that my brain does autofill when I see/hear one of my memory verses in various contexts. My, my how relevant this practice has turned out to be. Taking my thoughts captive when focusing on my selected scriptures has given me hope!
Revelation 22:12 ESV
Behold, I am coming soon bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.
Margie Groveland, FL
As I recover from a stroke, His truths remain the same!!
Psalm 73:26 (NLT)
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.
Janet from Odessa, TX
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
Revelation 5:12 ESV
For the first time in my life, with all that has happened in the past year, I can imagine a time when I might not have the freedom to carry and read and study my Bible. How much more precious will be the Words I have stored up in my heart!
Eleanor
Memphis, TN
Psalm 119:15-16
I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways
I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Kathryn, Oceanside, “…and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6b NIV
Jones Creek,Texas
We walk by faith,
Not by sight.
(NKJV)
Corinthians 5:7
Andrea Cox, Howe, TX
2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
In May, my back locked up for the first time ever, putting me in the worst physical pain of my life. As I lay on my parents’ couch with shoots of pain spidering out from my lower back, all I could pray was “God, help me” and my SSMT verses. My mind was so stuck on how much pain I was feeling that those were the only things that penetrated past it. I figured those were the best, most honest prayers I could offer God at that time. The coolest thing that came from it was that God answered those prayers by giving me a dose of His joy even in the midst of such incredible pain. I now know the joy that comes from great suffering, and I thank God for being with me through these verses in this instance and throughout the rest of the year. I’m so grateful He led my friend Amanda Hodge to invite me to join her on this memory verse journey. I’m so excited to attend the celebration in January! Thanks for the great year, Beth! Can’t wait for the next one. Hugs!
Rhonda Jackson of Godfrey, Illinois – What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31– KJV
Kayley Hibbert — Quincy, IL
Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV
Brenda Russell – Hendersonville TN
Yahweh your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will bring you quietness with His love. He will delight in you with shouts of joy. Zep 3:17 (HCSB)
I used an elementary method to memorize scripture through the year (almost all starting with A-Z). I didn’t get 100% by any means but it helped keep me on track. It was amazing how these scriptures would come to my mind even when I wasn’t looking for a particular letter. I feel overwhelmingly blessed and love how you (Beth) and Living Proof have inspired and taught me since my first study in 1999. Merry Christmas!!
Keri Lee Robbins, Las Vegas, NV
“For You are my lamp, O Lord;
The Lord shall enlighten my darkness.
For by You I can run against a troop;
By my God I can leap over a wall.
As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
2 Samuel 22:29-31 (NKJV)
Kenora, ON For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:29-30 (NIV) This year of Scripture memory has stirred in me a huge appetite for more Scripture memory! I have enjoyed it so much more than I expected to, and have begun more memory projects already!
Amy Link, Alva FL
Mathew 10:29-31 NIV
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Lynn
Humble, Texas
Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
Krista Fehr, Chickamauga, GA
James 5:16 NASB
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
Jerri Hadley, Wimberley TX. “So is the word that goes out from my mouth: It will not go out empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 NIV
To be able to try and take every thought captive, calming my anxieties with God’s word, and also praying God’s word as part of the ssmt has brought me joy and peace many times this year and helped me be more aware of God’s presence with me.I am thankful and blessed.
Phyllis, Pueblo, CO
“I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.”
3 John 1:4 NLT
Lesley, Oceanside, CA
“3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.”
2 Corinthians 3-5
ESV
Sheila H., Mitchell, MB, Canada
“Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” Psalm 95:6 (NASB)
I started this after my pastor’s wife had posted about it on Facebook. I am so thankful that I did. I had a lot of turmoil in my job at the time, and ended up going on stress-leave at the end of April. During that time, I worked hard on the memorizing and took long walks outside with God. He held on to me during that very stressful time, and gave me a new job, with a wonderful Christian boss. So thankful for this memorization challenge, and wish I could join everyone in Texas in January.
Elizabeth Peck, Oak Ridge, TN: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Heb 11:1 NIV 1984
As I’m in the UK I can’t get to the celebration, but I have loved following you and the rest of the SSMT girls . I have my own little note book and have learned all 24 verses.
Thanks for the continued inspiration and encouragement. I’ve loved it. Would have loved to join you all for the SSMT Celebration. Hope it goes well.
Grace xx
Deborah E. Bell; Bridgeton, New Jersey
Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV
Lisa Zink
Weatherford, OK
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:11 ESV
1 Peter 1:3 NIV
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
This has been a difficult year for me. I ended 2014 being betrayed by some close friends and cast adrift without a support system as my health continued to decline and my sister struggled with cancer and work went a little crazy. But every memory verse I came across reminded me that God is with me and He is all I need. He gave me strength this year, and hope, and joy and reminded me that He is always with me. No matter what men or women do to me, God is with me.
emi, white house, tn: “And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” Isaiah 58:11 ESV
Each of the years when i began this SSMT journey to focus my mind on God’s word, i struggled so heavily with fear or much regret. But when we get to November, i experience so much freedom and trust in Him. I thank you for encouraging us to memorize God’s word.
“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!” -Luke 1:30a NLT
Mary Thomas
Lexington, KY
(As confirmation that that was supposed to be my verse today, I saw it as the verse of the day on Bible Gateway!)
I’m so happy to actually FINISH a New Years resolution! What began with seeing a random Facebook post about the SSMT challenge from a friend I haven’t seen in over a decade turned into an explosive year of spiritual growth for me. I had read His Word before, but meditating on it was new for me, and it unlocked my heart to be able to desire to dig in and study His Word for the first time. This has made all the difference in my walk with Him. I truly feel like a different person than I was a year ago. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!
Sarah, Queretaro, Mexico
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
Romans 8:26 (NIV)
Donna, Indianapolis, IN For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11 KJV
Melissa, Little Rock AFB. “For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given.”Isaiah 9:6a ESV.
We have moved twice this year for military training and it has been wonderful to dwell on a verse every day while in the midst of constant change. No matter the verse selected I start my day and repeat throughout and it brings comfort. One of the few stable routines. 🙂
Jan Horne
Bossier City, LA
Malachi 3:10 NIV
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. “Test me in this,” says The Lord Almighty,”and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
Malachi 3:10 NIV
Cara Roberts, Reelsville, Indiana. “He has shown you, O mortal, 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
Christy Chattom; Jasper, Alabama
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5, 6
Nance
Newmarket, ON Canada
“And they will see His face, and His name will be written on their foreheads.”
Rev 22:4
NLT
I really can do all things through Him who strengthens me because I never thought I could memorize all these verses. And I hung in there. And the promise of Revelation 21 & 22 in these fear-filled days of mass shootings, bombings and threats filled my heart with joy and a hope that couldn’t be rattled and which nothing else could provide but the word of the One who loves us most.