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
Dearborn, MI – “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.” – NIV
Joy Nelson from Muskogee OK (I also commented on the verse one blog again)
No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8 NLT)
Cyndi, Clinton, MS
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. II Peter 1:3
“But The Lord is faithful. He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” 2 Thes 3:3 NLT
2 Thessalonians 3:16
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.” – NIV
Cindy
Kyle, tx
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me
Philippians 4:13 ESV
Karen, Clarksville “But The Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 HCSB
Teresa Brown, Greer SC
John 1 1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.
NIV
Melanie, waynesville, Ohio
Deut. 30:19,20NKJV
“…I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days”
Danette, Clarkston, MI
“…If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”
Isaiah 7:9 NIV
Elaine, Littleton, CO
“Know that the Lord is God; it is He who made us, and we are His people. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever, His faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:3-5 (NIV)
Wait for the LORD: be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! Psalms 27:14
ESV Translation
Gerrie, Roeland Park, KS
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 NIV
Shawna in Virginia, “All your children shall be taught by the LORD and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
“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 29:11 NIV
Cathy, Virginia Beach
Psalm 143:8
Let me experience Your faithful love in the morning,
for I trust You. Reveal to me the way I should go because I long for You.
HCSB version
Linzie Brownwood, TX
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think if yourself moe highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” Romans 12:3 NIV
” Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.”
– Psalm 62: 5, NLT
Chattanooga, TN
Laura from Pottsboro,
Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise, things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable. Philippians 4:8 GWT
Isaiah 54:13 NET
“All your children will be followers of the LORD, and your children will enjoy great prosperity.”
Boca Raton
Debbie from Mamer, Luxembourg
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God
1 Corinthians 2:12 NASB
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, with thanksgiving, by prayer and petition, present your requests to the Lord and the peace of God that transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus”
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Paula, Houston, TX
“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 — a future.” Jeremiah 29:11, NIV
Roz, Hiram GA
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
James 4:7-8 NKJV
Judy, Washington, IL: Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Psalm 34:8 NLT
Jamie, Houston. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV
Kelly Hall from Tulsa, Oklahoma
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
Revelation 4:11 NIV
andrea – niles, mi
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.”
psalm 37:7 (niv1984)
Johanna in Tampa, FL
“It is GOD who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.”
Psalm 18:32 (NIV)
Emilie Eaton, IN
May The Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the God of Jacob protect you.
Psalm 20:1 NIV
Kris from Medina, WA
Matthew 11:28-30
The Message (MSG)
28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Chastity R. Richmond, Tx
The righteous cry, and The Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the broken hearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalms 34:17-18 NIV
Debbie from Fuquay-Varina, NC
Proverbs 13:20 (The Message)
“Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.”
Liz, Summerton, SC
I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.
Psalm 17:6 NLT
Kathrin, Coeur d’Alene, ID “And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:4 ESV
Kay from Angleton, Texas
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:12 KJV
St Louis, We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord. Psalm 78:4
1 Timothy 4:8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promises for both the present life and the life to come. NIV
Mara- Denver CO: Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. -Ephesians 4:29 (Message)
Ali from Clearwater, FL
The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust him. – Nahum 1:7, NLT
from Kankakee,IL
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. II Cor. 5:17 (KJV)
Stephanie Lazenby, Lexington, TN
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Kristen, Largo, FL: Ps 34:22 NAS “But the Lord will redeem those who serve Him, and everyone who trusts in Him will be freely pardoned.”
Rachel San Diego, CA
And who through the spirit of holiness was appointed son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 1:4 NIV
Sally, Dunnellon, FL
This is my command- be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 NLT
Diane, Tuscaloosa, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10, NIV
Mary-Shreveport, LA
I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.
Phil 4:13 (NIV)
Chelsea- Fayetteville, Ga
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22, 23 ESV)
Judy from Marietta says: Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. James 1:17 NLV
2 corinthians 10:5 niv
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.