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
Jeannette in Lewiston, ID. I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NLT
“and whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the LORD Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:16 NIV
Izzy from Clarksville, TN
Faith without good deeds is dead.
James 2:26 NIV
Shelley, San Angelo
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 NIV
Kim; Warren, ME: For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 ESV
Cindy, Virginia Beach
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Proverbs 15:1
Diane – Fresno, CA
I have been crucified with Christ. It is not longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galations 2:20 ESV
1 Thessalonians 1:4-5a
4 knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you;
5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.
Tiffany, Houston “All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Autumn, Pullman, WA
You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NIV
Sandy Jane
Long Beach, CA.
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
valerie
Lubbock, TX
“All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 (ESV)
Carol, Midland,Texas
Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. Psalm 19:13
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalms 27:14 ESV
Michelle O’Banion, Grandview, TX
Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23,24 Holman
Kristi, Scottsdale, AZ
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26 NIV)
Nichole from Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15:7 (KJV)
Marie from Manchester, ME
Ps 65:11 (NLT)
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
Marie
Byhalia, Mississippi
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. (John 15:16 NET)
Donna
McMinnville, TN
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NAS
Naomi Olympia, WA
In everything give thanks, for this is what God wants from you who are united with the Messiah Yeshua.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Complete Jewish Bible
Lisa, Lynnwood, WA
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be save.” Romans 10:9 NIV
Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Ephesians 5:16-17 NIV
“Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
Karen – Fredericksburg va
Psalm 37:5-6 (HCSB)
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act, making your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like the noonday.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
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.
Jennifer N, Nashville TN
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 NIV
Rosa, Sulphur Springs, TX
“For since He Whom God has sent speaks the words of God [proclaims God’s own message], God does not give Him His Spirit sparingly or by measure, but boundless is the gift God makes of His Spirit!” John 3:34 AMP
Cindy, Madrid, Spain
“Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord;
keep watch over the door of my lips.”
Psalm 141:3 NIV
Sharon from San Antonio, TX
“Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!” Psalm 119:2
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!” Psalm 119:2 NKJV
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are= yet did not sin. Hebrews 4:15 KJV
Kristy Garber from Tappahannock, VA…”this I say then, walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 kjv
Nikki, Houston. “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24 KJV
Karen from Lexington, KY.
Romans 12:12 (ESV)
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
“Commit to the lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:13 (NIV)
Julia, Springfield, TN
Psalms 143:10 NLT Teach me to do your will for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on firm footing.
Ellen Cleveland, TN
The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God stands forever.
Issiah 40:8 NASB
Laura from Souderton, PA
Those who know Your Name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.
Psalm 9:10 (NIV)
In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 HCSB
Jessica Reed, San Diego, CA
Rycki from Divide, Colorado
But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15 (NIV)
Isaiah 41:13(NIV)
For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
Teresah, Redmond,Oregon
“I pray that out of His glorious riches He will strengthen you with power through His Holy Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Ephesians 3:16,17a NIV
Kym W., Tulsa, OK
She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. Prov: 31:25 (NLT)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God AND the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NASB
Vikki Green, Apache Junction
Lindsay, Austin TX – “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger.” James 1:19 NIV
Emily, Elk Grove, CA
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
Stephanie B. – Atlanta GA
Ecclesiastes 11:13 AMP Bible
“All has been heard; the end of the matter is: Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is] and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of his creation, the object of God’s providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man.”
And you will seek Me and find Me,when you search for Me with all your heart. Jer 29:13 The Evidence Bible
Laurie Giddings
Lake Stevens, WA
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”
Jeremiah 33:3 ESV
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV)