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
Lisa in Champaign, IL
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:19(NIV)
Julie, Newton, IA
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT
Angela Bryant, Greenville, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice! Let your forbering spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.” Phil. 4:4,5 (NASV)
Joy Klassen
Narol, Manitoba, Canada
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O Lord.
Psalm 139: 3&4
Joy Klassen
Narol, Manitoba, Canada
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O Lord.
Psalm 139: 3&4
Jan. 1-15 verse: Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. Galatians 6:9 NASB
Jan16-31 verse: The mind of set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6
Sarah from Austin
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, O descendants of Israel his servant, O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones.
1 Chronicles 16:11-13
Nikki in Greenwood, Arkansas
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV
Kimberly from Highland Village, TX
Be kind and compassionate to on another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ.
Ephesians 4:32
Stephanie from Carmichael, CA
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2 (NKJV)
Diana, Indianapolis, Psalm 86:11, the NET Bible
O LORD, teach me how you want me to live!
Then I will obey your commands.
Make me wholeheartedly committed to you!
Stacey, ClaytonNC, All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Lisa from Davidsville, PA
All your children shall be taught by the LORD,
And great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Roegena Ile, Kokomo, Psalm 119: KJV “Thy Word I have hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee.
Marilyn, Rochester Hills, Michigan
“Trust in Him at all times, O people:
Pour out your heart to Him,
for God is our refuge.”
Psalm 62:8 NIV
Stephanie, Memphis TN
Galatians 5:16 ESV “But I say walk by the spirit and you will NOT gratify the desires oof the flesh.”
Twila-Fayetteville Ga
Isaiah 54:13 NET
“All of your children will be followers of the LORD, and your children will enjoy great prosperty.”
Michal from San Antonio, Texas. “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Isaiah 58:6,7 NIV
Myriam from Castle Rock, CO:
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
(2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV)
Terry from Jasper
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Sam 16:7 NKJV
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a New Creation, the old has gone, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Rachel Gilliam, Winchester, KY
Phillipians 4:6, NKJV
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
Lissa, Duncan, SC
“Blessed is she who believes the Lord will fulfill the promises He made to her.” Luke 1:45 NIV
Psalm 9:10 NKJV
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You:
For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.
Paulette Mays
Elmer, La.
Ft. Pierce
The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
Isaiah 58:11 NIV
Carolyn – New Baden, IL
the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love Psalm 147:11 NIV
Brittany. Kalamazoo, MI.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because the testing of your faith produces perseverance” James 1:2-3
Muriel in Ontario:
Psalm 121:7,8 (New Living Translation)
The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
Amy, Minneapolis, MN, Philippians 4:11, I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. (NIV)
Sandy Tate, Denver
1 Cor. 13:2 (ESV) “And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”
Mound City, KS
The LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
(Proverbs 3:12, NIV)
Juli from Yarmouth, Me
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13
Teresa, Krugerville – All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children’s peace. Is. 54:13 NIV
From Carol: “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 NASB
Jamie from Georgia
John 15:11
These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
New King James Version (NKJV)
Shannon, Hillsboro
“Everything is lawful,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is lawful,” but not everything builds others up.
1Corinthians 10:23 NET
NIV
Proverbs 12:13
A evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble.
Cindy Stump, Summersville, WV For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. Romans 6:14
Oops! NIV
From Carol, Wilmington DE: “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 NASB
Donna H., Lexington, KY
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. NIV
Sue R, Magalia, CA
Ephesians 1:3 HCSB
“Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.”
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. James 3:17
Brenda, Houston, Tx
I have not stopped thanking God for you remembering you in my prayers. Ephesians 1:16 NIV1984
Pat Stokes, Portland, Texas
Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.
Psalm 30:2
Kelly from Costa Mesa, CA
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Sarah Musser, Nashville, TN. Philippians 4:6-9 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (NIV)
sarah birmingham, lambertville , MI
Isaiah 54 :13 ESV
All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.
Perfect for me, Mom of 6 who just had the thought the other day that I need to pray for them more 🙂
Lisa Diaz, Houston. “… your (my) life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3 NIV
Aleen, New port Richey, FL
I Peter 3:8 ESV
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
Allison from Cincinnati, Ohio
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4