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 – 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.) 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
Psalm 8:1 NIV
O Lord, Our Lord, How majestic is your name in all the earth. You have set your glory above the heavens.
Rhonda Burrough (Katy, Texas)
Isaiah 65:1
NIV
“I have revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me.”
Brenna Moore, Rome, GA
John 16:33 (NIV) “I have told you these things, so that in me you might have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Bethany S.
Modesto, CA
Romans 8:5-6 (ESV)
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Bethany
Petaluma, CA
“Be still in the presence of The Lord and wait patiently for Him to act.
Do not worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.”
Psalm 37:7 NLT
Dana from Cimarron, KS 1Peter 4:8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1Peter 4:8 ESV
Lanae, Chinle, AZ
Psalm 51:16-17 (The Message) Going through the motions doesn’t please you. A flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don’t for a moment escape God’s notice.
Maria, Klamath Falls, OR
All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.
Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Denise, Longmont, CO
James 2:2,3
For if a man comes into your personal assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place”, and you say to the poor man, ” You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool”, NASB
Sandra from Waco, TX: And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will a bound in every good work.
2 Corinthinans 9:8 NIV
Courtney, Chicora, PA All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 KJV
Cheri
Louisville, KY
Deanna from Akron Ohio. Posting late, oops!
Isaiah 40:29 NKJV
HE gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might HE increases strength.
Cindy
Bellingham, Wa
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Col. 3:15 NIV
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners. Isaiah 61:1 NIV
Paige Patterson, DeWitt
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
–Exodus 33:14 NIV
“Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:1-2 NIV
Thank you so much for this verse Beth. Isiah 54 has been a constant source of comfort to me since i gave my life to Christ in 1980.I have claimed this verse so many times over my children and now my grandchildren. I could not decide which verse I wanted to memorize this time and you have made up my mind for me. All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.Isiah 54:13 Praise God. His promises are true and his mercy endures forever. So once again I thank you Lord that all my children and grandchildren shall be taught well by the Lord, and great will be their peace.Twyla McAmis,Cleveland,Tennessee.
Praise God!! Im claiming it w/ you! Gods promises are to ALL..Isaiah 54:17
“My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness. therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness,so that Christ’s power may be shown through me. 2 Cor. 12:9 NIV
Heather, Cypress, TX
“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down”.
Proverbs 14:1 (NIV)
Christin Carroll Olive Branch, MS
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. ~ Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Trisha, Midland, TX
When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him and He began to teach them. He said,
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Matthew 5:1-9
(attempting to learn the Sermon on the Mount with my whole family:)
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exudus 14:14
Jennifer, Baltimore MD
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exudus 14:14
Amanda, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Work to see that the city where I sent you as exiles enjoys peace and prosperity. Pray to the Lord for it. For as it prospers you will prosper. Jeremiah 29:7, NET
St Louis du Nord, Haiti
Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”
Joshua 3:5 NIV
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9
Holly Cavazos from Mission, TX
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV
Donna
Franklin, TN
“He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” Matthew 8:26 (NIV)
And the Lord shall make you the head, and not the tail; and you shall be above only, and you shall not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God which I command. Deuteronomy 28:13 NIV
Rozanne Gaston, Leawood, Ks NIV 1 Corinthians 13:12: Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength….And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 2 Timothy 4:17
2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
Carrie, Jupiter, Fl
Proverbs 18:4,21 KJV The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Karen of Richmond, VA: “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinithians 4:6 NKJV
Carolina – Buford, GA
“If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he can not disown himself” 2 Timothy 2:13 NIV84
Sarah Donis
Hamilton, MA
Psalm 104:33
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
Joretta Gorman
Waxahachie, TX
Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. NRS.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
“Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
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
Baltimore, MD
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exudus 14:14 NIV
Kerry Beebe from Albuquerque , New Mexico
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33 NIV05
Anna, Campbellsville, KY
Every wise woman builds her household, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.
Proverbs 14:1
The NET Bible
Whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, gather there with us. Our God will fight for us. Nehemiah 4:20 NET
Leticia
Malibu, Ca
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Prov. 3:5-6 NKJV
Sarah Longing Have decided to memorize Romans 8.
Romans 8:1-2 NASB
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and of death.”
Carrie W., Burnt Hills, NY
The Lord will fight for you: you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14, NIV
Found you! Thanks for the idea to do this!! Xxoo
Sandy, Elizabethtown, Pa
Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NASB
Kelly Collett, Buckhannon, WV
I Corinthians 13:13 NIV
And now three things remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Jan in Colorado
You realize,don’t you,that you are the temple of God,and God Himself is present in you? No one will get by with vandalizing God’s temple, you can be sure of that. God’s temple is sacred-and you remember are the temple. Mssge I Cor 3:16-17