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
Emily from Elk Grove, CA
“‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” -2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Judy, Lancaster, PA
We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. Col 1.9b-10 NLT
Stef from Landrum, SC For evil doers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon The Lord, they shall inherit the earth. Psalm 37:9 KJV
Sandy from Cedar Rapids, Iowa
By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for,
And by the fear of the Lord, one keeps away from evil.
Proverbs 16:6 NAS
Sierra Tolman, Salt Lake City, UT
1 Peter 1:8 NIV “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.”
For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Mary, Maddie, Mallory – Wichita Falls, TX
Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” ESV
Jane Kay, Brandon, MS. “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” John 15:8 ESV
Dear children let u not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.
1John 3:18
Brandy; Mooresville IN. All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.
Isaiah 54:13 NIV
Anna Beth Barnes
Hamburg, AR
James 3:17 (NLT)
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
Christine, Wichita, KS
“When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.”
Psalm 94:19 (NLT)
Tracy from Tangent, Oregon
Micah 6:8 NKJV
He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
Conne from Angel Fire:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
Mary Witt, Murfreesboro, TN
Psalm 42:5
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise Him,
my Savior and my God.
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
Psalm 91:10 NLT
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.”
Gwen,Muskogee, OK. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christs power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Laura from Littleton CO, Phil 3:18-20. For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. NIV
Lois in Austin, Tx
And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 1 John 3:23 ESV
Carrie
Pullman, WA
2 Timothy 1:7(NLT)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
Marcee H. in Gilbert, AZ
“I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” Psalm 108:3-4, NIV
Lindsey from Cullman, AL.
Psalm 91:10 NLT
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.”
Sue, Oktaha OK
“And you must love The Lord your God with all you heart, all your soul, and all your strength
Deuteronomy 6:5 NLT
Tiffany from Greensboro, North Carolina
James 1:3 NIV
“Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
Sabrina
Lincoln Nebraska
My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
John 15:8 (NASB)
Dena; Oklahoma City, OK
Isaiah 41:10 NASB
‘Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Brenda S- Chicago IL
From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. (Psalm 61:2 NIV)
Vicki – Sachse, TX
1 Corinthians 15:58
Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor you in the Lord is not in vain. NIV
Emily, Coralville, IA. “…for I know that because of your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. Philippians 1:19 NIV84
Haley McKinley, Birmingham AL
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
Psalm 139:2 (NIV)
Zenobia – Virginia Beach, VA
‘…the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God].’ Daniel 11:32AMP
Andrea M, Okotoks, AB
Psalm 139:2 – You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. (NIV)
Carol, Santa Maria, Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Hebrews 12:12-13
Aleta, woodburn OR, “They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed “now strengthen my hands.” Nehemiah 6:9, NIV
Romans 8:38-39 “for I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither present nor future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Pardon me, HALLELUJAH! PRAISE GOD ABOVE for His unfathomable love and grace and forgiveness. 🙂
Katie from Denver, CO
“My salvation and honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.” Psalm 62:7 NIV
Nancy Standiford, Vancouver, WA
Lamentations 3:22,23 – NIV
“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.”
Lindsay, Grapevine, Tx: “For we are 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)
Andrea K. Madison, FL
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey Him and the power to do what pleases Him.”
Philippians 2:13 NLT
Margie Allen, TX
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Mauriceville, Texas
Psalm 103:1-5 (NIV)
1 Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Susan, Atlanta, GA
So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NKJV
Connie Feight,Sioux Falls SD….Psalm 19:14″May the words of my mouth,and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight O Lord,my rock and my redeemer.”
Michelle From Highlands Ranch, CO
A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, (Proverbs 1:5 NKJV)
Stacy, Greenfield, Indiana
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe
Philippians 2:14-15 NIV
Evanston, IL
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.
Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, USEFUL to the master and PREPARED to do ANY good work.
2Timothy 2:20-21 NIV
Laura, Prairieville, LA Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. I Corinthians 10:23 NIV
Kathi
Lexington, OH
1 Peter 5-8
5. who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Christ is revealed. 8. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
10 Whoever is faithful in small matters will be faithful in large ones; whoever is dishonest in small matters will be dishonest in large ones. Luke 16:10 GNT
Ashleigh-Lewistown, MT
“Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. Share with saints in their needs; pursue hospitality.” Romans 12:12-13 (HCSB)