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
Kristen, Los Angeles, CA
You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah.
Psalm 32:7 (ESV)
Vicki, Lake Jackson, TX
The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him;and he will shew them his covenant. ~ Psalm 25:14 KJV
Annie, Alabama
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
Galatians 5:16-17 (NIV)
Cindy, Hampstead,NC
“Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.” Psalms 37:5 (NASB)
Beth Morgan, Rogersville, Tn
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 KJV
Megan,Katy Tx
And those who know your name put their trust in you,for you,O Lord,have not forsaken those who seek you.-Psalms 9:10 ESV
Amber Jaramillo, Tampa, FL. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV1984).
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Greg, Barrington, IL
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 10:39 ESV
Carrie Williams
Auburn, AL
Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything ranging from large to small.
Mark 11:24 (MSG)
Alicia Trussell
League City, TX
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Nancy – Grand Haven,MI
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
Jennifer S., Okinawa, Japan
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28, ESV
Michelle from Maine
“Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.
Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.”
1 Chron.. 29:11-12
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be a le to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 niv
Kay Sims,
Lake Lure, NC
“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5 (NKJV)
Stephanie
Milledgeville, GA
NIV Revelation 4:11
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
Be strong, and take hear, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalms 31.24
Cast your cares on the LORD, and HE will Sustain you, HE will NEVER let the righteous fall.
Psalm 55:22 NIV
Tammy
Cincinnati, Ohio
Meredith
Atlanta
“To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue…”
II Peter 1:1-3
NKJV
Through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:2 NIV
Melissa
Sulphur, LA
Psalm 143:10(NIV)
“Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.”
Arden, NC
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 ESV
Vicki Traughber
Fenton, MO
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5 TNIV
AnnaMarie – Pittsburgh, PA
“For I am convinced that neither 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.”
Romans 8:38-39 NIV
Leah, Houston, TX.
(completing thought from Romans 1:1-2:
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God- the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures)
Romans 1:3-4
regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
NIV (1984)
Crystal, Mullica Hill, NJ-
Colossians 1:17-18
And He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the first born from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Sarah from San Angelo, Texas:
Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:2 ESV
Danyelle, Dayton, Ohio
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.
Psalm 118:24, 28-29, NIV
Joan Portage, MI
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:1-2 NIV
Renee Lindsey, Warrior, AL
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You.
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:3-4
Denise, Davis,IL., “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”
Matthew 7:8 NASB
Vicki K.
Houston
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
(NIV)
Amber Henry from Lynchburg, VA
Ps 121:3-4 “He will not let your foot slip—He who watches over you will not slumber; Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”
This I know for sure: we often have not because we ask not.
James 4:2 HCSB
Romans 15:13
“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.”
Audrey D. From Clay Center KS
The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
Proverbs 15:29
Mark 9:23
And Jesus said to him, “If you can! All things are possible for one who believes”.
Debbie, Hattiesburg, MS:
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews 11:3
Kathy, Leamington, Ontario, Canada
Proverbs 25:25
“Like cold water to a weary soul
is good news from a distant land.”
(My sister is ministering in Nigeria Africa-
I just love this verse right now.)
Thank you Lord.
“the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world – just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.”
~Colossians 1:5-8 NIV (memorizing all of Colossians per Ann Voskamp’s blog)
Meagan Williams, Dallas, TX
Proverbs 25:11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. (ESV)
Liz Nashua, NH
I John 4: 7&8 NIV
” Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
Katie Faffler, San Diego, CA
Psalm 34:4 “I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” NIV
Mary Gage
Richmond, Tx
Philippians 1:6 NLT
He who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ; developing,perfecting, and bringing it to full completion in you.
Ps 115:11 nlt
all you who fear the lord, trust the lord.
he is your helper.
he is your shield.
sacramento,ca
Cinnamon Dixon Ca
John 14:27 NIV
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I don’t give it to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.
Susan, Houston, TX
through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ
Romans 1:5-6, ESV