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
Sara R- Arlington Texas
“If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” 1 Peter 4:14 ESV
Barb, Phx, AZ
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you.
Isaiah 26:3
Tabby, Murfreesboro, TN
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:12 NIV (for January 1st) – late start, sorry!
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.
Ephesians 3:20 NIV (January 15th)
Marla Finley, TX
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV
Candy Moore – Overland Park KS
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
John 15:16 NIV
Heather Elmore in Atlanta, GA
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
James 1:17 NKJV
Melissa Vevay, Indiana Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 1 Timothy 6:6-7 ESV
claudette,cornville,az. AND THE PEACE OF GOD WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING WILL GUARD YOUR HEART AND MIND IN CHRIST JESUS. PHIL 4:7 [NIV]
“I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing”. John 15:8 NIV
Sorry – JoAnne Victoria, BC Canada
Brenda Scott from Frisco, TX
The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; Do not be discourged.
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Sharon from Brighton,Colorado
No one will be able to withstand you as long as you live. Just as I was with Moshe, so I will be with you.
I will neither fail you or abandon you. Haven’t I ordered you ” Be strong, be bold”? So don’t be afraid or downhearted, because Adonai your God is with you wherever you go”
Joshua 1:5,9
Complete Jewish Bible
Ellen, Chattanooga, TN
Always be full of the joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
Philippians 4:4
lynn , Louisville
and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.
II Peter 1:7 (NASB)
Mollie Kate,Auburn,Alabama. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.ESV
Christy, Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Romans 12:2 New International Version
Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this work, but be transgormed by the renewing of your mind. THen you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is –his good, pleasing, and pefect will.
Beth, White House, TN – Psalm 3:3 But you, oh Lord, are a shield about me; my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Dutchess of Winterville, NC
“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.” John 15:9 NIV
Diane
Vinton, La
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of your to the interests of others.
Phil 2:3-4
NIV
Becca Glendale AZ
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 NIV
Sorry, late. Sad yesterday.
Breanna from Belle Vernon, PA
I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!
Psalms 116:1-2 NLT
So hard to pick just one this time!
Jacki Wangness Spotsylvania, VA
Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love for me. Psalm 66:20 NIV
Angie in Silver Spring, MD
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Veronica Rodriguez from San Antonio, TX
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for you life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8
Cindy from Stuttgart, Germany
Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” Luke 18:27
Romans 8:35-8:39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more that conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Jan, Denton, TX “You heard my voice [then]; [Oh} hide not Your ear [now] at my prayer for relief.” Lam 3:56 AMP
Danielle from Sevierville, TN
I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.
Isaiah 44:22
Peggy Stewart, Flushing Michigan
Romans 15:13 ESV
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.
Christelle, Delafield Wisconsin
Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
ESV
Sydney – Raleigh NC
Nahum 1:7 NIV
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him.
Prov 14:29 (esv) whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
Alice from Dallas, TX. “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 NKJV
Tara Anderson from Appleton, WI
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him, and He helps me.
My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.
Ps. 28:7 NIV
*I just realized I’m a day late:( Just starting!
Hosea 6:6
“I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.”
Jessica from Fort Worth, Texas
Revelation 22:21 (MSG)
The grace of the Master Jesus be with all of you. Oh, Yes!
“I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. i want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.”
Hosea 6:6 NLT
Molly in Lexington
Philippians 1:6 (NLT) –
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Ruth Larkin in Shawnee, Kansas
Stephanie, Winder, Ga
Hebrews 10:23 ESV
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for He who promised is faithful.
Ashlee from Greensboro, NC
The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Krista, Gunter~ “He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17b NLT
Amber Steortz from Pineville, LA
Galatians 2:20 NKJV
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me , and the life which I now live in flesh i live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Kayla F, – Houston, TX
“Start children off the way they should go and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 3:5 NIV
James 1:2-4 (NIV)
Trials and Temptations
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalm 90:2 NIV
Kindsi Lora, Kirkland WA
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)
“For just like the lightning, when it flashes out of one part of the sky, shines to the other part of the sky, so will the Son of Man be in His day.” Nasb Luke 18:24
But He brought us out from there to bring us in & give us the land that He promised on oath to our forefathers. Deuteronomy 6:23 NIV
Peggy, Berwyn, AB ,Canada
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Colossians 4:2 NIV
Karen from Harrison, AR
“Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-
Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
Who satisfies your desires with good things SO THAT your
youth is renewed like the eagles.”
Psalm 103:1-5 NIV
Mary, Eden Prairie, MN
Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.
Psalm 86:11 NRSV
Sue, Kingsport. “Trust in The Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 NET Bible