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
‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.’
Proverbs 22:6 KJV
Amy, Lawrenceville, GA
Deut 6:5 NLT
And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength.
Colleen ~ Scranton,PA
“When we were overwhelmed by sins,You forgave our transgressions”
Psalm 65:3 NIV
Paige from Lincoln, NE
‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.’
Proverbs 22:6 KJV
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. ~1 Corinthians 6:11 KJV
Kerry, St. Louis, MO
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Ephesians 4:29, NIV
Brook, Fort Collins, CO:
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
-Galatians 5:1 NIV
Pattie, San Angelo, Texas
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 NIV
Suzy Highland Village Texas
Romans 8:9. NIV
You however are controlled not by the sinfull nature but by the spirt, if the spirt of God lives in you
Susan Bymaster, Ames, OK
I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? Psa 121:1 HCSB
Julianna, Gulf Shores. “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret–it only leads to harm.” Psalm 37:8 NIV
Maria A. Greeenwood, Indiana
My determined purpose is that I may know HIM, that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person. Phillipians 3:10
Amplified Bible Translation
Alice Wilmington
If then you were raised with Christ seek things which are above where Christ is sitting on the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1NKJV
Amber, Rockwell, NC “For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.” Psalm 63:7 ESV
Cindy, Largo, FL “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now i springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
“I will praise you forever for what you have done. I will hope in your name, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.”
Psalm 52:9 NIV
Rahel – Springfield Mo.
Isaiah 61:3-4 KJV
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
Isaiah 43:1 NIV
But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Michelle, Dallas, TX 27 years old
Lori Hillegas from Floyds Knobs, IN
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in your own understanding; in all ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Amy, Pensacola, FL. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 ESV
Libby
Dallas, TX
You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.
Psalm 65:11 NIV
Shawna, Omaha, Ephesians 20 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, (NIV)
Stacey, Houston – Forget about what’s happened, don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There is is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. – Isaiah 43:18-19 The Message
Erin from Kansas City, MO
James 3:17 NIV
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Cathy R in Orofino,ID
Devote yourself to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Col. 4:2 (NLT)
Joyce
Sparta, NJ
‘I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me diligently find me.’ Proverbs 8:17 (ESV)
Blake, McKinney, TX
“The steadfast love of The Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. ”
Lamentations 3:22, ESV
Nicki, Baton Rouge
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials fof various kinds, for you know that gthe testing of your faith hproduces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be iperfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4 ESV
Hallie, Oklahoma.
You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: love each other.
John 15:16-17 NLT
Heaven and Earth will pass away; but my words will not pass away.Luke 21:33 NASU
Ashley
Tualatin, Oregon
Count it all joy, my brothers,when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
James 1:2-3 ESV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3: 12 – 14 NIV
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalms 73:26)
Cancer checkup for me this week, so this verse hits home!
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” 1 Peter 4:12-13 ESV
WE DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO,. BUT OUR EYES ARE UPON YOU!! – 2 Chronicles 20 v 12b – NIV
Susan Paulin, Eatonton, GA
“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these….If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”
Romans 8:31
NLT
Brooke, Minneapolis, MN
“Godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Tim 6:6 (NIV)
Jennifer, Friendsville,TN
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
James 1:19,20 NIV
Dean, Barbourville, Ky
Proverbs 22:7 (NIV)
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
Shana, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Phillipians 4:6 (Amplified)
Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
Shannon, Tuscaloosa, AL
Ezekiel 33:11 NASB
“As I live! Declares The Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live “
Kim, Memphis
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV 84)
Sarah, from Lincoln, NE
“knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4 (NASB)
DaLonne Cheyenne, WY
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV
Penelope
Louisville, KY
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (ESV)
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavely realms.
Ephesians 6:12 NIV
Beverly from Vicksburg, MS
Isaiah 46:3b-4
“I have cared for you since you were born.
Yes I carried you before you were born.
I will be your God throughout your lifetime-
I made you, and I will care for you.
I will carry you along and save you.”
Lyndsey, Asheville, NC
“Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery! Replace the evil years with good.” Psalm 90:15, NLT
Kristi from Frisco, TX
Colossians 3:1-2 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34 (NIV)
Trish from California, MD