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
Karen, Ashland, OH: 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
“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.”
1 John 2:15,16
Laurie, Callahan, FL
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV
Austin
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Hazel P. Philadelphia, PA
“…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” Isaiah 43:1-3 ESV
Lisa McGriff, Abbeville, Alabama
“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.”
Proverbs 27:12 NIV
Lexington, ky
James 4:3 (NIV)
When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
Natalie from Nashville
Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the Earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Mathew 5:5-6 NIV
Emily Hodges, Houston, Texas
” Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
You guard all that is mine. The land you have given me is a pleasant land.What a wonderful inheritance!” NLT
Yikes! I forgot to include the verse..
It’s Psalm 16:5-6 NLT
”Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
You guard all that is mine. The land you have given me is a pleasant land.What a wonderful inheritance!” NLT
Yvette, Lynn, MA
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
(NIV)
Amanda Springfield, MO
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV
Mary from Fullerton, CA
“If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small”
Proverbs: 24:10 KJV
Reading this verse helps me to be strong in hard times.
Janet, San Diego, CA
“Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, hi will appear, he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:3 (NIV)
Jennifer Goodwin, from Collierville, TN (near Memphis)
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:9,10 (NIV 84)
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2 NIV
Dacia, Warrensburg
Psalm 91: 6-8 (KJV) Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Tamara
Kelowna, BC, Canada
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Galations 1:10, NIV
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8a
Paula from Maine
He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to our sins and live for righteousness, by his wounds you have been healed.
I Peter 2:24 NIV
Nicole
Greenfield, IN
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.” Psalm 62:5 NIV
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
John 15:8 ESV
Ellen from Santa Maria, CA
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Cor. 10:31 ESV
Psalm 63:3-4 NIV
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
I cry out to God Most High to God, who fulfills His purpose for me. Psalm 57:2
Andrea from Spring Branch, Texas
Owe no one anything except to love each other, for the one who loves another had fulfilled the law.
Romans 13:8 ESV
Tracie. Albuquerque, NM.”Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.” Hebrews 10:23 NLT
Kim from Clinton, MO
“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
Allison Crook – Albuquerque, NM
“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, And He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.”
Psalm 37:23-24 (NASB)
” Now go:I will help you speaak and will teach yo what to say”.
Exdous 24:7
Eposi
Houston, TX
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared
He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit
whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior
so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life
Titus 3:3-7 NIV
(P.S. I am memorizing this passage of 5 verses for the next 5 months but have put it all now because some of the verses look odd alone. I will be reposting the passage each time.)
Bettie Tolar
Pasadena, TX
January 15,2013
Isaiah 54:13 NIV 1984
“All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace.”
Lindsay, Wenatchee
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. (Psalm 103:8 NIV)
Megan K. from St. Louis, MO
Colossians 3:23-24, NIV
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
“Now go,I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” Exodus 4:12 NIV
.”Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD”
Psalm 4:5 NIV
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. Phil 4:8 NIV
Patricia, San Diego, “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.” 2nd Cor 1: 20 (ESV)
Cathy, Rhinebeck, NY
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over
every power and authority. Colossians 2:9-10(NIV)
Mindy – Franklin, TN
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 ESV
Angie, Noxubee County, MS:
But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.
Psalm 73:28 (NASB)
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Ivy Morrison
Willis, TX
“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” John 15:8 ESV
Laura from OKC, OK
When you pass through the waters,I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers,they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43: 2
Blair from Harrisburg, NC
But I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. – Psalm 59:16 NIV
Ashley Honea, San Angelo, TX
“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—” (Philippians 3:7-9 ESV)
Katie Hartshorn ~ Jonesboro, AR
The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. (Isaiah 50:4 NIV)
Jenn, Frederick, CO
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? Luke 9:25 NIV
Mark 11:24 NIV
Therefore I tell you, whatever you have asked for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Isaiah 54:13 ESV
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.
Michael Ann from Irvine, CA
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.
Romans 12:1 NIV