We’re off and running, Sweet Things! And 11,000 strong!!! Oh, how I pray that God will grant us the divine favor and indwelling power to keep it up month after month and finish 2013 in the multiple thousands. What joy He and we would have! For now, we take it step by step, one verse at a time. Don’t get caught up wondering how in the world you’re going to memorize 24 verses when you’re having a hard time memorizing the first one. That will sink your Scripture memory boat for sure.
I make you this promise based on my experience and the experience of many others: the more you memorize, the more you’ll get the hang of it. I was going to say that the more you memorize, the easier it gets but it’s not easy and that’s part of what makes it such a victory to celebrate with Jesus. I do believe I can tell you with confidence, however, that your tenth verse will very likely be easier to memorize than your first one. By that time, you’ve quit letting your nay-whining old nature tell you that you can’t do it and you shouldn’t have even tried. A big part of the battle in the first month is simply telling that self-destructive echo in our heads to shut its mouth. It’s replacing “I knew I couldn’t do it” with “Oh, yes I can. I can do all things through Christ.”
Persevere! Let’s not be quitters! God would rather us make it to the end of the year still stumbling over some words than throwing our hands up and quitting at the first imperfect recitation. Even if we don’t get our verses down perfectly, the pursuit itself is the very art of meditation. Nothing about it is a waste of time. Just think of how it helps to break the mental loop of rehearsed offenses. We’re going to be fixated on something. That’s how our minds often work. But we get to choose what.
So, right now say verse 1 out loud the very best you can.
Tremendous job. Now, let’s add our second one to it.
I totally love my verse this time around! It came up in my Scripture reading during my quiet time early Sunday morning. Here it goes:
Beth, Houston. All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Isn’t that fabulous? I’m choosing this verse specifically so that I can turn it into intercessory prayer. Mind you, I’m not “claiming” it like I’d be apt to do with a promise more clearly obvious under the New Covenant. I’m reluctant to claim the fulfillment of a promise made straight to Israel for myself or people in my world unless I know that we have a coinciding New Covenant promise. I’d have to see consistency to pray it as one fervently counting on it. Isaiah 54:13 carries obvious elements that are very consistent with the promises of Christ to us. He promised that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things and He blatantly gave us His peace but where I’m asking God to do an Isaiah 54:13 work in my family is the emphasis on ALL my children. I want every single one of them to be students of Christ Jesus, to love His Word and His ways with a passion beyond the natural realm, and for His peace to be great upon them and contagious. If you’ll look in the Scripture’s context in Isaiah 54, especially in verses 11-17, you’ll see that V.13 is within the promises God made specifically to Israel and scheduled for fulfillment in a time yet to come. So, no, I’m not claiming it, so to speak, BUT, I am indeed asking for it. That’s fair game.
God is not obligated to say yes to promises like those in Isaiah 54 this side of His Kingdom’s full revelation but, as I persevere in prayer and faith, He will indeed hear me and I believe be pleased that I had the boldness to pray it. He is not blessed by our small, vision-bare petitions anyway. I’ve thought for a long time that God would rather hear His children voice outrageously large prayers of faith even if He has to say no on occasion than hear our pale, timid, tepid requests for things He’s already given us anyway. For instance, if we belong to Him in Christ, He is indeed going to “bless us” and “keep us.” So, I’m adding Isaiah 54:13 to my spiral and planning to reword it often into a request. I’m going to take the risk that He may indeed perform generational miracles with a family tree sprouted from the soil of disease and brokenness. Make us oaks of righteousness, Lord, for the display of Your splendor. (Isaiah 61:3)
This I know for sure: we often have not because we ask not. (James 4:2)
I love something else about Isaiah 54:13. I love that the word translated peace in English is the word “shalom” in Hebrew. The Hebrew word blows the doors off of our usual concept of peace. When I ask God for great peace to be upon my children, I have no interest in a trance-like state of passionless nirvana. I want God’s brand of peace: lively, vivacious. Here’s what the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament has to say about it:
“The general meaning behind the root š-l-m is of completion and fulfillment—of entering into a state of wholeness and unity, a restored relationship.”
It means to be intact, healthy, sound. It means wellness of soul. It conveys the idea of God prospering His child. He describes His peace like a river: moving and running. His peace is no pond. I read the verse first out of The NET Bible that sits open on my desk at home. Isaiah 54:13 is worded this way on its pages: “All your children will be followers of the LORD, and your children will enjoy great prosperity.” Right that moment I jotted the verse down in my journal and, under it, asked the Lord (with enough zeal to imprint it on the next page) to prosper my children and their children and their children and their children in the way that really matters: grant them lives that bear much fruit – I said MUCH FRUIT –Â for THIS is to our Father’s great glory. May they blatantly show themselves to be Christ’s disciples. (That’s John 15:8 and, if you haven’t memorized it yet, it is a must! Prioritize it early on in your year if God causes it to leap off the page with you.)Â With all my heart, I want God to use this lineage He is redeeming to prosper His Kingdom.
So I am really fired up about my verse for our next two weeks and hope to still be saying it and praying it for the next generations of this family line when I’m about to see Jesus. If you don’t already have a verse selected, you are welcome to share it and make it your own with Jesus. Choose any verse that He’s using to speak to you right now. Remember, that’s what will make it stick to your ribs. It needs to mean something to you!
Hit it, Girls! Remember! Only your names, cities, verses, references, and translations! You are stellar, Sisters. I love you so much.
Edited to add: Information on how to download your Android or iPhone application!
I know many of you have been asking if we are going to have an app this year for your smart phones, and we have both good news and bad news. The good news is YES, we ARE! We have created an app for both Android and iPhones. The bad news is, the Android app is ready for you, but if you would be so patient with us, we’ll have the iPhone app ready for you in about five or six days. Does that sound good?
So, excuse me while I get technical for just a minute!
For those of you that still have the old application on your phone (and this goes for both Android and iPhone users), you would most likely have received a notification about the availability of this new one, but if not, and you are currently using an android, simply click here to download the app. (This link is for Android users only.) Android users, if you’re having issues with this link (and it’s currently working fine on this end), you can search “Living Proof Ministries – Scripture Memory Team – 2013” in your phone under applications. (I have very little knowledge about Android phones, so forgive me if my wording is wrong.)
When the iPhone app is ready, I’ll update this post for those of you who would like to download it with all the instructions you’ll need. However, I do know upfront you’ll be able to find the app in the iTunes store via your phone or computer.
Once you have the application, it is very user friendly. You’ll be notified the 1st and 15th of every month with the new blog post that will land in your application (you will only be notified if you have turned on notifications for this specific app), you can share the post, and then you can also store your memory work in there. It will also act like your spiral. You may want to use both your spiral and the app to have on hand in case you lose one or the other!
I hope that helps! Doesn’t this make it so much more fun?
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Christa, West TN
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct[a] your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
(NKJV)
Meg, Columbus, OH:
“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24, NIV
Phoebe, Concord, GA
All your children will be taught by the Lord
and great will be their peace. Isaiah 54:13 NIV
Bethany from Allen, TX
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” Colossians 2:8 NIV
Linda, Pittsburgh
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)
Susan from Madison,MS
They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness. Psalm 89:16 (NIV ’11)
Heather from Florence, SC: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NIV)
Jane W.; Lincoln, NE; But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. I Peter 3:15 (ESV)
Lisa – Aurora, CO
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philipians 4:6
Linda, Longview: Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Paula, Atlanta, Tx.
“You know my sitting down and rising up. You understand my thought afar off ”
Psalm 139:2. NKJV
James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwaivering, without hypocrisy. NASV
Renada from Sedalia, CO.
May my spokenwords and unspoken thoughts be pleasing to you , O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalms 19:14
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Meredith, Carrollton “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” Psalm 73:26 ESV
Kim D. from Knoxville, TN
“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.” Psalms 62:5 NLT
Cheryl. Naperville Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 6-7 NIV
Barbara Menefee, Prospect, KY: “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8 NIV84
Diane Pagan in Montverde, FL
All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.
Isaiah 54:13
Sabrina
Morristown, Tennessee
“Really! There’s no such thing as self-rescue, pulling yourself up by your bootstraps. The cost of rescue is beyond our means…”
Psalm 49:7 The Message
Rebecca Stewart
Julian, NC
“When I am afraid, I will trust in you.”
Psalm 56:3 NIV
Then the Lord said to Moses,”I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.”
Exodus 16:4
NIV
Meagan Duncan
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (James 3:7, 8 NIV84)
Arlington TX
Abbie Howard, Villa Rica, GA (age 11)
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me in to the world, I have sent them into the world.
John 17:17-18
Leslie
Austin, TX
“Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. Don’t grieve God. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” MSG
Rachel Pittsburgh Pa
James 3:17
NIV
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace
Loving,considerate,submissive,full of mercy and good fruit,impartial and sincere.
Nicole in Tahoka, TX
I, The Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
Isaiah 42:6-7 NIV
Lydia from Memphis
“So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good deeds is no faith at all-it is dead and useless.” James 2:17 (NLT)
Johns 54:17 NKJV
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.
Rhonda from Jonesboro, AR
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3 NAS
Jill I., Winchester, Kentucky
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. but when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
Lonnie from Omaha:
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstance.”
Philippians 4:11 NIV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
Pam, Sioux Falls,SD
“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes -I and not another. How my heart yearns within me!
Job 19:25-27, NIV 1984
Marie Howard, Villa Rica, GA
My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united with love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 2:2-3, NIV
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Theen you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2 NLT
Emily McLean
Maryville, MO
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
Hebrews 6:19 NKJV
Claudia, Raeford NC Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:9, 10 NIV)
Josie, Dallas, “All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Colossians 3:23 NIV
Melissa, Black Creek, Ga
All your children shall be taught by the Lord , and great shall be the peace of your children. (Isaiah 54:13 ESV)
Cheryl Cash Fort Portal, Uganda
“You are my hiding place, you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7 NIV
Attempt number three
Meagan Duncan
Arlington TX
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (James 3:7, 8 NIV84)
christi, Arkansas
For I hold you by your right hand-
I, the Lord your God.
And I say to you,
“Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.-Isaiah 41:13 NLT
Jennifer Hackler Monroe, LA
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Karen, Shelby, NC “I will lift up my eyes unto the hills – from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord. which made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 KJV
Stephanie – Springfield, MO
Psalm 19:14 (NKJV)
14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart[ ] Be acceptable in Your sight,[ ] O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.
Phillipians 3:3 NLV
For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort.
Deanna, Frisco, Tx
Psalm 91:1 – He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (NIV)
“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
James 5:16
Angel Faison in Smyrna, Ga
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!
Psalm 141:3 ESV