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.Ā 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,Ā 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 Å”-l-m is of completion and fulfillmentāof 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 –Ā 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.)Ā 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 ā Scripture Memory Team ā 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
Kerry, Nederland, Tx
God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking – it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Matt. 10:19-20
New Living translation
Julie DeVisser, Holland, MI
How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! ~Proverbs 16:16 TNIV
Mary from St.Louis
All your children will be taught by The Lord, and great will be their peace. Isaiah 54:13
JulieB in Sharpsburg, Ga.
You crown the year with your goodness; Your ways overflow with plenty.
Psalm 65:11 HCSB
Amber in Hattiesburg, MS
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NASB)
Mathew 6:34 NIV. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Renee – Austin, Texas
“You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 NIV
Jen Exton,Pa
Romans8: 29-30 Ampl
29 For those whom He foreknew, He also destined from the beginning to be molded into the image of His Son that He
might become the firstborn among many brethren.
30 And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called;
and those whom He called, He also justified. And those whom He justified, He also glorified.
Amanda, Orlando “My father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:29 (NIV)
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.
Jermiah 29:11
Cheryl, Austin: Proverbs 31:25-26 “Strength and dignity are her clothing,and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom,and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” (ESV)
Samantha from Sylva, NC
“O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.”
Psalm 139:1 NIV
Sherry Snedden from Rocky Mount, VA
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurabley more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.
Eph 3:20 NIV
All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. – Isaiah 54:13
The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 121:7-8 ESV
Rhonda, Houston
Monica
Cashiers, NC
“So I sent men with word to them, saying, ‘I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?'” (Nehemiah 6:3, NLV)
Kim Archey
Union City, OH
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV
Andrea from Wellington, TX
“Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)
Kimberly,Watha,”But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the the One who lifts up my head.” NKJV
Psalm 3:3 NKJV
Sissy- Waycross,GA
This is to my Father’s Glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8 HCSB
Cris from Mooresville, Indiana
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. -Galatians 5:22-23 ESV
Liz
Prescott WI
Jesus said, “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:23&24 NIV (paraphrased-ish)
Deuteronomy 31:6 (KJV)
Be strong and of a good courage , fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Romans 12:2 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. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
NLT
Karen…Tennessee, James 1:2 NIV
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.
Amy from Maple Grove, MN
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NIV
Katherine, Charlottesville, VA
“And now, my daughter, donāt be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.” (Ruth 3:11, NIV)
Grace Weise
Port St. Lucie, FL
January 16, 2013 at 7:23 am
Romans 12:2 Donāt copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know Godās will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
NLT
2 Samuel 7:28-29
New International Version (NIV)
28 Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. 29 Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.ā
Cast thy burdens upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee; He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalms 55:22
Isaiah 41:10. NIV
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.
Kristin S Forney, Tx
Pam Pruijs Wassenaar, The Netherlands
Psalms 19:13 CEV
“Don’t let me do wrong on purpose, Lord, or let sin have control over my life. Then I will be innocent, and not guilty of some terrible fault.”
Isaiah 54:13 (NKJV)
All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
And great shall be the peace of your children.
Karie-Phoenix
For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.
Psalm 85:11 NLT
John 6:44 “No one can come to me unless the father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day.” NIV
Sarah from Phoenix, Proverbs 3:25-26 NIV
Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
for the Lord will be at your side
and will keep your foot from being snared.
Karen, Wildwood, MO
“We love because He first loved us.”
1John 4:19 NIV
Psalm 15:1 KJV
Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.
Hannah from Maryville, TN
2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Job 8:21 NIV Abilene, TX
Donna from Atlanta:
All your children will be followers of the Lord, and your children will enjoy great prosperity.
Isaiah 54:13 NET
Oh, Lord you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise. You perceive my thoughts from afar.
Psalm 139:1&2 NIV
Katrina, Colorado
I drew them with gentle cords, With bands of love, And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them. Hosea 11:4 NKJV
Laura, Englewood Co.
O Lord, you have searched me and know me. Psalm 139:1 (NIV 84)
Monique Dozer, Elizabethtown, KY
Isaiah 54:13 ESV
“All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.”
Sabrina: Mobile, Alabama
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 ESV)
Allison, Tampa.
Colossians 1:10 NASB. “so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God”.
Haley Tryon – Sweet Valley, PA
“āCall to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.ā”
Jeremiah 33:3
NIV
Megan, Denver, CO. James 1:22-25 (NIV)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in itānot forgetting what they have heard, but doing itāthey will be blessed in what they do.
Kelly, Houston,TX
Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30 HCSB