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
Kaylee Pritchett, Athens, GA: And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” Acts 10:15 ESV
Ruth Cherry, Royse City, Texas
“You need to persevere so that when you done the will of God you will receive what He has promised.”
Hebrews 10:36 NIV
Maureen, St. Clair Shores, “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips” (Psalm 34:1 NIV)
Kate, Charlottesville. “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 NIV
Susie – Port Republic, VA
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. (NLT)
Jennifer from Tampa, FL
I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me.
Isaiah 45:5 NIV
Kari Benton in Katy, TX
James 1:17 NIV
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Adrienne from Overland Park, KS
Isaiah 41:10 KJV
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Sarah Sour Lake TX
the face of the LORD is against those who do evil to cut off the memory of them from the earth. Psalm 34:16 (NIV)
Linda, from Helena, Montana
“Be joyful, always pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16
Added to above: Meant to let you know it was from the NIV version.
Robin P., Morehead City, NC
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deut. 31:8 NIV
Brenda, Allen
All your children shall
be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. ESV
Deana in Texas
Habakkuk 1:5 Look around among the nations and see! Be astonished ! For I am putting into effect a work in your days that you would not believe it, even if it were told to you.
Amp
Dionne from Cary:
Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. Isaiah 65:24
Michelle, Warsaw, Indiana, Isaiah 54:13, “All your children shall be taught by The Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” ESV
Jennifer, Deer Park “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NLT
Wanda
Osborn, Missouri
Psalm 119:114 (ESV)
You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in Your Word.
Laura from Decatur IL
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he IS a new creation; old things HAVE passed away; behold ALL things have become new. 2 Cor. 5:17 NKJV
Sharon Page from Pensacola, FL.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 28:11 NKJV.
Paula – Maryville, TN
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Heb. 11:1 (NIV ’84)
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. Philippians 4:8 NIV
Casting all your care HIM; because he careth for you 1 Peter 5: 7 KJV
1 Peter 4:10 (NKJV)
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Becky Harris in Groesbeck, Tx.
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:5 NIV 1984
Lillian, Vermilion, OH
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV)
Tacy Layne – Fairmont, WV
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
Mary
Indian Head, MD
“He shall be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is his treasure. Isaiah 33:6 NASB
Birmingham,
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5: 7 KJV
Kristy Taylor, Ajax, ON, Canada: 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
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22, 23 NIV)
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Sabrina Young, Moxee WA
“And He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in to give us the land which He swore to give our fathers.” (Deuteronomy 6:23 AMP)
Linda Hebb in Birmingham
Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5: 7 NIV
Proverbs 25:28 NIV84
28 Like a city whose walls are broken down
is a man who lacks self-control.
Lauren Robbins
Saraland, AL
Mendy.
Cary,NC
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Good will come to him who is generaous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.
Pslam 112:5 NIV
Mary from Crosby, Tx
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 NIV
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26 NIV
Romans 11:36 NIV
From Him and through Him and to Him are all things.
Jenn,Lakeland:
“Then, if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.”
2 Chronicles 7:14-15 (NLT)
Donna,Abilene.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13 ESV
Katie Sims; LaGrange, GA
~2 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV)~
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”
For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well. James 3:1 NET
For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well. James 3:2 NET
Paige, Woodville, AL
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Ann from Gainesville, FL
Psalm 19:14 KJV
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
Kenslea Ray, Birmingham AL
Psalm 103:1 NIV
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being praise his holy name.
Linda Hebb in Birmingham
Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5: 7 KJV
Valerie from Warrensburg, MO
“Trust in The Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 ESV
Lisa from Cary, NC: Do not be afraid for I am with you. Do not be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NLT