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
Leigh Gray
Carmi, Il.
Psalm 121:2 NIV
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth
Dolly, Middletown, OH
All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
And great shall be the peace of your children.
Isa 54:13 NKJV
Darlene from Branson says:
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Prov. 3:14-15 NIV
Lauren from Birmingham
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9 ESV
Kimber B, Panama City, FL, Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. (Psalm 119:105, 106 NIV)
Romans 5:3-4
“Not only so,but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character,hope.”
NIV
Alexis K., Waco, TX: “He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Song Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” 1 Corinthians 1:8-9 (NIV)
Jennifer – Wilmington DE – “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Cor 4:17 ~ NIV 84)
Ellen Mills from Morehead City, NC
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:3-5 ESV
Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Gail, Rogers AR
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me and I in him bears much fruit. For without ME you can do nothing. John 15:5 NKJV
SHEILA A. BRADLEY, IL
By this my father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. John 15:8 ESV
Flynn from rancho Santa fe:
Proverbs 29:25. The fear if man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the lord will be safe!!!
Kara from Oklahoma, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for this who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 ESV
Aisha, Newnan Ga “Commit to The Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans”
Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Holly, Phoenix, AZ:
“I am the Lord, I have no peer, there is no God but me. I arm you for battle, even though you do no recognize me. I do this so people will reconize from east to west that there is no God but me; I am the Lord, I have not peer.” Isaiah 45:5-6 NET
Megan, Houston, Texas
“But I trust in you, Lord; I say “You are my God.” My times are in your hands…
Psalm 31:14-15a, NIV
Jen in Roanoke, VA
“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 1:1-2
Tara from Homer, IL
And if we are careful to obey all this law before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness. Deut 6:25 NIV
Debbie, Warren, PA. “‘And you must love Him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. The second is: You must love others as much as yourself. No other commandments are greater than these.'” Mark 12:30-31 (TLB)
Sandy H. In Powder Springs, GA
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
Ana, Cape Town, South Africa.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Phil 4:6 NLT
Cayla, Gray Court, SC, James 4:8, NCV
Come near to God, and God will come near to you. You sinners, clean sin out of your lives. You who are trying to follow God and the world at the same time, make your thinking pure.
Melisa, Katy, Tx
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:6-7 (NIV)
Gina, Rochester, NY
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8 NKJV
Christina, Coppell, TX, Isaiah 43:18, NIV “Forget the former things; do not dwell in the past.”
James 4:8 “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded”.
Sherilyn, Warsaw, IN
Habakkuk 3:19
The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer,able to tread upon the heights. NLT
Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands and put on your hand and place it in My side. do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and My God!’ Jesus said to him, ” Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20: 27-29
Trina from Tieton, Yet I am not ashamed because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I entrusted to him for that day. 2 Tim 1:12
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)-The Lord your God is with you,He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with His love and rejoice over you with singing.
Melinda, Tacoma, WA
1 Peter 3: 1 – 6 NIV
Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
Marsha from Lufkin TX
“Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me”. Matthew 25:40 NIV
Susan, Houston, TX
I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit. apart from me, you can do nothing. John 15:5 NIV.
Martha, Georgetown TX, Psalm 19:14 NLT, May the words of myh mounth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Liz, Geismar, LA
“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These are the words of Him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and not denied my name.” Revelation 3:7-8
Michelle W from Pleasant Grove, Alabama
James 1:22
English Standard Version
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
You are my God and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you.
Psalm 118:28 NIV
Jane, St. Louis
“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV84)
Isaiah 55:6-7 NKJV
Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God for He will abundantly pardon.
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked
1 John 2:6
Valerie from Tampa
Sarah from Lubbock, TX
“I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.”
Psalm 9:1,2 NIV
Karen, Springfield, For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NLT
Susan – Westfield, IN
For my 11 year old son:
Be on your guard;
Stand firm in the faith;
Be men of courage;
Be strong.
Do everything in love.
~ 1 Corinthians 16:13
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope
and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Kayla from Clinton, MN – My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. (John 15:8 NASB)
Jennifer, Tahlequah OK: “Call to me and I will answer you and I will tell you great & mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 NASB
April. Tahlequah, Ok
Because of the Lords great love we are not consumed, his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
Sam in Tampa, FL.
“A friend loves at all times,”
Proverbs 17:17