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 – 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.) 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
Savannah from Cabot, AR
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”
Psalm 34:8, NIV
Emily Byrd, Baton Rouge
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
James 1:5
New American Standard
from Houston,
And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a fullfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord.
–Luke 1:45 [ASV]
Odessa, TX
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 NIV
But blessed are those who trust in the LORD,and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought.Their leaves stay green and they never stop producing fruits.Jeremiah 17:7,8 NLT.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – thank about such things. Phil. 4:8
“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understnd. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 NLT
Cara Koski; Fridley, MN
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
Psalm 103:8-14, NIV
Emily in Anchorage, AK
“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven buy you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you, My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” Psalm 73: 23-26 NIV
Tammy, Lexington SC
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever an ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV
Lois, Prospect Heights, Illinois
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.
Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing.
The Lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Psalm 34: 8 – 10 (NIV)
All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Kelly, Wichita, KS
Proverbs 24:17
Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble do not let your heart rejoice.
NIV
Brenda– Denver, CO
Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Psalm 71:17 (NIV)
Michelle from Ashburn, VA
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
My God is my rock in whom I find protection.
2 Samuel 22:3 NLT
Paige Patterson, DeWitt, AR
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
–Exodus 33:14 NIV
Lanessa Amburgey, Los Alamos, NM
Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. (Proverbs 2:3 NLT)
Isaiah 45:6 NASB
That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that there is no one besides Me. I am Lord, and there is no other
Lisa from Fairbanks, AK
Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?
Job 2:10 NIV
Stephanie, Austin. ” 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 with groans that words cannot express.” Romans 8:26, NIV
Barby , Tulare Ca
Romans 15:13 NIV
” 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”
with Fearless Friends Bible Study:
Jeremiah 17:14
Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed;
save me and I will be saved,
for you are the one I praise.
Dawn Rowden, Astoria Oregon, Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17, NIV
Woodbridge, CA
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted, He delivers those who are discouraged.”. Psalm 34:18
Keri – Cardiff CA
Colossians 2:7 Let your roots grow downinto 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. ( NLT)
Loribeth from Houston, TX. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men ubt in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5 ESV
Janet Cazares
Orange, TX
“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen: it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” ~ Hebrews 11:1 (New Living Translation)
Tami, Thousand Oaks, CA:
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV
Brenda –Denver, CO
Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come. Psalm 71:17-18
Heidi Leatherland Broken Arrow,OK
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of the sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2 esv
Judy, TX
Philippians 4:7 And the Peace of GOD, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. NIV
Alice from Houston, Texas
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10 KJV
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit. Prov. 15:4 (Amp.)
The Lord your God is in your midst,a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by his love; He will exult over you with loud singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
Tessa from Bryan, TX
Olga, Woodstock, Georgia
GOD the one and only – I’ll wait as long as he says
Everything I hope for comes from Him, so why not?
He’s the solid rock under my feet,
Breathing room for my soul,
An inpregnable castle:
I’m set for life.
Psalm 62:5 (Message)
Stacey- New Orleans
Col 3:15 niv
And over all These virtues, put on love, which
Binds them together in perfect unity.
Holly, Ridgecrest – “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set yourself fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Petet 1:13 (NIV)
College Station, TX
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God – Ephesians 2:8 RSV
Melinda from Eckley, CO “…when I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The Lord will be a light to me.” Micah 7:8
Nancy, Northridge,CA
Proverbs 2:7 NIV
“He holds victory in store for the upright,
He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless”
Donna in Grant, Alabama
“You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me,yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”
John 5:39-40, NIV
Virginia
Nebraska
Psalm 103:2 hcsb
My soul, praise the LORD, and do not forget all His benefits
Laurie S from Kelowna, B.C.
She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Proverbs 31:28 NAS
Amy, Chesterfield, MO
John 3:16
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. (NIV)
Kathy, Andover, KS May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Ps 19:14 NIV
Pam.. Campbellsburg In. Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers. the flower fades. But the word of our God stands forever.
NSFL NKJ
Denise, Katy, Tx
Matthew 6:25 NIV
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
Noreen U
Calgary, AB
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 (NLT)
The Lord Your God is with you, he is might to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing!!
Zaphaniah 3:17
Michele, Oakdale, CA I sought the Lord and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Psalms 34:4 NASB