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
Christie, Gray Court, SC “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8 NIV
Sam, Rowley IA
Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon.
Amy
Dimmitt, TX
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 ESV
Rachel ~ Athens, GA
“Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the Lord Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.”
Deuteronomy 4:39 NKJV
Catherine, Mill Creek, WA
You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Pslam 16:11 NIV
Terry
Washington, IL
Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. (Psalms 143:8 NLT)
mitzi from Brandon, MS
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:16 NIV
Brenda, Denton, Texas: “All your children will br taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace.” Isaiah 54:13 NIV
Jordan
Dimmitt, Texas
“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.”
Proverbs 15:30 (NIV)
Tammy Elrod
Mechanicsville, VA
Thy word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against thee.
Psalm 119:11
KJV
Debi, Moline, IL
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy,
to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to
God – this is your spiritual act of worship”
Romans 12:1 NIV
Ema
Normal, IL
Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Philipians 4:6-7 CEV
Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.
Yonges Island, SC
Then he said, :Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD”, and Behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the rocks into pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake, but The LORD was not in the eartquake;and after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire and after the fire a still, small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah” 1st Kings 19:11-13 NKJV
1 Corinthians 13:5
New International Version (NIV)
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Kira – Springfield, IL
“The Lord will work out His plans for my life – for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.” Psalm 138:8 NLT
Anchorage, AK. Psalm 62:5 “My soul waits silently for God alone, for my expectation IS FROM HIM!!
Michelle Pritchard
From Okeechobee, FLorida
From KJames…..Psalm 61.2
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Samantha Knecht
Houston, TX
For the Spirit of God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Amanda Benson, Eagle Butte, SD 2 Peter 1:3-4, NIV
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
Karol from Ozark Mo
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed- not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence- continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
Phillipians 2:12 NIV
Las Vegas, January 15, 2013
“The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD will answer my prayer.”
-(NLT)
Karen, Sugar Hill, GA
Psalm 33:22(NLT)
Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone.
Maryann, Norwood, MA “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:10-11
Melanie Hawkins, Houston
Romans 12:2 NLT
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Pamela, Excelsior Springs MO
But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, [Pamela], have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it. Col 1:23 (NLT)
Amy, Hood River, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8, NIV84
Las Vegas January 15, 2013
“The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD will answer my prayer.”
-(NLT) Psalm 6:9
Hope in Mukilteo, WA:
Keep yourselves free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NIV
Kendra, Spokane Valley, WA
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ~Ephesians 4:2-3 (NIV)
Nidya. México. Segidme y os haré pescadores de hombres. Mateo 4:19
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV)
Melissa
Waco, TX
Lindsey, Philadelphia PA
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”
– 2 Timothy 2:15, NASB
Danae, Escondido, CA
“The Lord watches over you–the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun will not harm you by day nor the moon by night.” Psalm 121:5-6 NIV 1984
No. 2: “The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. Psalm 28:7 NLT
Summer, Crystal, MN. “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord Almighty.” Jeremiah 15:16, NIV
“Oh people, The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you:to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 NLT
Jenny, Hastings Fl
Alison, Overland Park, KS
And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Colossians 3:14 NIV
Sandie from Red Deer Alberta
I will teach all your children, and they will enjoy great peace. Isaiah 54:13 NLT
“Your faithfulness continues through all generations, you established the earth, and it endures.” Psalm 119:90
The Lord God is my strength, my personal bravery, my invincible army. He makes my feet like hinds feet, to walk, not to stand still in terror but to walk and make spiritual progress upon my high places of trouble, suffering or responsiblity. Habakkuk 3:19 AMP
Liz from Oxnard CA
Psalm 139:5 esv
“You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand on me.”
Courtney
Isaiah 41:13 For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
NIV
Sarah, Eagle River, AK
He has made everything beautiful in its time.
Ecclesiastes 3:11
Psalm 46:10 NIV
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Natalie Aurora, IL
So then my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. James 1:19 NKJV
Tammy, Peoria, AZ
Philippians 2:14. NIV
Do everything without grumbling or complaining.
Sharon
Pontotoc, MS 38863
And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all [n]in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:18-20 NASB
Margie
San Angelo, Tx
I Corinthians 1:10
10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Emily Strate
Searcy, AR
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.
Psalm 34:19-20
NIV