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
Angie, Hampton, TN
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Elisabeth Beasley
FAYETTEVILLE, AR
(i won’t be late again, i promise!)
Psalm 104:33,34 Esv
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.
Esther, Lancaster, PA
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
James 1:13-14 NIV
Tammie; Walters, Oklahoma
The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent; Acts 17:30 ESV
Eugene Oregon
My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples. John 15:8 HCSB
Anne, Cupertino, CA
Christi Newnan, GA
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Kelsey M. from Fountain, CO. Job 17:9 NAS
Nevertheless the righteous will hold to his way, and he who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger.
Philippians 3:13-14
No dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Jesus Christ, is calling me. (NLT)
Jessica, Pewaukee Wisconsin-
For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord” plans to prosper you not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Alecia, Resaca, GA
Zephaniah 3:17, NIV
The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.
Sheila – Katy, TX
All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Avis, Lone Star, Texas
You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.
Psalm 65:11 NIV
Laura Beth, Jackson
PSALM 29:11 NIV
The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.
Jennifer – Knoxville,TN – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
NIV
glenwood, WNC
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation– 1Peter 2:2 ESV
Robyn from Kitchener, Ontario: “This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel says:’Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength.'” NLT
Amber, Houston
That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
Ephesians 3:16 ESV
I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
Psalm 63:2-3, NIV
Iowa City
“Now to Him who is able to do more than 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
Anne, Cupertino, CA
“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.”
2Peter 1:3
2Peter 1:3 NIV
Troy, OH
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. Matthew 5:22 NIV
Catherine ~ Grants Pass, OR
“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
Peggy, Jacksonville. For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power and of love and of a sound mind. KJV
Kathy
Dow IL
I thank God upon every remembrance of you.
Philippians 1:3 KJV
Susie (using this verse as a prayer)
The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
Isaiah 50:4
Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Linzi, Slidell, LA
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed; Behold, new things have come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NAB)
Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself.
The Lord will hear when I call to Him.
Psalm 4:3
NIV
Judy Kaiser, Connersville, indiana:
Mark 1:35–Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, and he prayed. NIV
Lisa Malstrom, Spring, TX
Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
Psalm 103:1 NLT
Christina from Texas, “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-he will be blessed in what he does” James 1:25. NIV
Melanie McCracken San Antonio, Texas
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Philippinas 4:8 (ESV)
Alyssa: Dallas, TX
“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” ~ Proverbs 14:1 NIV84
Kayla
MedellĂn, Colombia
‘Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.’
James 4:7-8 (ESV)
Michele ~ Kenosha, WI
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him…
Psalm 37:7a NIV
Kate, Bristol. 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)
Michelle McClain, Lexington TN— “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” Phillippians 4:6 (NIV)
Andrea, Columbia, SC
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do no be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Sally in Kalamazoo, MI. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. NIV
Georgetown, TX
1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Chrissy G
Flower Mound, TX
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8
Lois, Abilene, KS
“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
Psalms 62:8. NIV
Gail Dorn from San Antonio, TX
Always be joyful. Pray continually and give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus. I Thes. 5:18-18. (New Century Version)
Steph R., Hines, OR
Psalm 119:105 ESV
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. Psalm 139:2 NIV
Kymber from Leonard, TX
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes
Romans 1:16a-b (NASB)
Molly; Lawrence, Kansas
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5 NIV
Tonya from Florence, SC
Galatians 5:16 NIV
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”