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
Jennifer O, Moore, Ok
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24. NIV
Monica Bentrude, SLC, Utah
Isaiah 55:12 “you will go out in joy and be led forth in peace”( NIV)
Carol Hulin, Belleville, ON
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 NRSV
Vanessa, Gillette WY. “She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.” Proverbs 31:25 (NIV)
Beth, Malabalay Philippines; “Blessed is the woman who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is indeed in the LORD. She will be like a tree planted by the water: it sends its roots out toward a stream. It does not fear when heat comes and its foliage remains green. It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 HCSB
Canyon, Virginia
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 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 Cor 10:4-5 NIV)
Erin, Albertville, AL :”Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me.” Psalm 103:2 NLT
Kristy, Sheridan, AR
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask- we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15 NIV
Tilley Hawkins from Franklin, TN
“I repeat, be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic, for I, the Lord your God, am with you in all you do.”
Joshua 1:9 (NET)
Kristi, Puyallup, WA, Psalm 91:14 (NIV)
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.”
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 16-18 (NIV)
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but.what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. Ephesians 4::29 NKJ
Ida, Glenwood
But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteo”usness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV).
Marita, Maricopa,AZ
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
I can do all this through him who gives me strength~Philippians 4:13 NIV
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.~Philippians 4:13 NIV
Aja, Houston, Tx
“All your children will be taught by the Lord,
and great will be their peace.” Isaiah 54:13 NIV
Therefore, any one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you the judge, do the same things. Romans 2:1 hcsb
Laura, Overland Park, Kansas
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.~Philippians 4:13 NIV
Trudy, Idaho: “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.” 2 Peter 1:4-6 (ESV)
Allie; Grapevine, 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)
Janet from Pearland Tx.
Ephesians 6:18 NIV
And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Miranda Kirkwood, MO
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)
Erin Clark, Ponchatoula, LA ”
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction,faithful in prayer. ” romans 12:12 (niv84)
Mary, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
Meli, College Station. “All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace.” Isaiah 54:13 NIV
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NKJV
Leslie, NJ
Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
“Commit your work to the Lord,and your plans will be established.”
Cystal, San Antonio,TX
He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
Proverbs 17:9 NIV
Kaydi Shaw, Arlington, TX
“Certainly the LORD is just; He rewards godly deeds; the upright will experience His favor.” Psalm 11:7 NET
May the God of hope full 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
Allie, Waco, TX
“God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.”
-Hebrews 6:10 NIV
Debbie, Los Angeles I Corinthians 3:16 “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” NASV
becky
tacoma, WA
“All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children”
Isaiah 54:13 ESV
All your children shall be taught by the Lord and great shall be the peace of your children
Isaiah 54:13
Amy and Taylor
San Antonio, TX
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15
Janice, Slidell,La. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3. NIV
Ps 73:26 ESV
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever…28 but for me it is good to be near God, I have made The Lord God my refuge.
Vicky, NE
Psalm 34:11-14 NIV
Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from telling lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
Elisabeth Bastrop TX
Yea doubtless, and I counted all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.
Philippians 3:8 KJV
Sandra Hanrahan, Alberta, CA, ” Praise The Lord oh my soul and forget not all His benefits.Who forgive all our sins and heals all your diseases.” Psalm 103:2-3, NIV.
Ava in Tyler Tx.
John 17:22-23 (AMP)
22 “I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one:
23 I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and [definitely] recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them [even] as You have loved Me.”
Vicki Crosby, San Clemente CA
“I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me. Psalm 119: 174-175 (NIV84)
Tricia, Fredericktown, MO
3 He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.
5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
his understanding has no limit.
Psalms 147:3-5 NIV
Jaclyn from Round Rock, TX
“Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:11 NIV
Michelle
Titus, Al
“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me, Your steadfast love O Lord, endures forever.” Psalm 138:8 ESV
Talia Scott from Houma Louisiana
Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me for I am gentle and lowly of heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
Jennifer Lawrence
West Monroe, LA
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 rejoice over you with singing.