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
Lori, Foristell MO, John 15:8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Darinda Ross, Trenton, Tx- If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. John 15:7
Nancy Rose/Newport News,Va Isa 54:13 ESV All your children shall be taught by the Lord and great shall be the peace of your children! Amen!!!
Heather, Newnan,Ga. John 15:8 “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
Misty from Edmond, OK
Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent- the Lord detests them both.
Proverbs 17:15 NIV
Sheena, San Antonio, Proverbs 15:13 – A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face; a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:18
Wow! This is my exact same verse and version! May He temper our hearts and words.
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
Juile from Easley,SC
Laurie-Romans 8:37-39 (ESV) “In all things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life , nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of Fod in Christ Jeaus our Lord.”
Kinsey McMillan, Tulsa, OK.
“But whoever loves God is known by God” 1 Corinthians 8:3, NIV
sarah, tyler – consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, becuase you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
Oh, that you would burst from the heavens and come down! How the mountains would quake in your presence! Isaiah 64:1
Collyn from Broken Arrow, OK “Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting in you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.” Psalm 143:8 New Living Translation
Look to The Lord and His strength; seek His face always.
Ps. 105:4
Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield,
Your very great reward.
Gen. 15:1
Amen.
Teresa – Coral Springs, FL “And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
Mandy
Lancaster, PA
Matthew 5:5-10
ESV
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Kristin, Sunnyvale, Let us not love with word or speech but with ACTIONS and in TRUTH. 1 John 3:18 ESV
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV , “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it; I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
Cherica, OKC: “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 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 5:1-2 ESV
Amen, Siestas!
Jane. St. Louis, MO
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 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 5:1-2 ESV
Amen, Siestas!
One of the verses mentioned last Sunday at my church. Love it so much.
Lori
Bangor, Maine
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.
Matthew 11:28-29 (Message)
Paris, Eagan, MN: I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20 NIV
Wendy, Powhatan, Virginia
“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16 (NIV)
Amber from Houston, Texas
I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.
Psalms 119:15 ESV
Amber, Norman, OK
James 1:23-24, NASB
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in the mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.
Erin, Sugar Land, TX – “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 8:39, NIV
Dianne, Decatur, AR
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
John 15:8, NIV
Corry, Surrey, British Columbia
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; your are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1b, NIV
Lisa
Annapolis
so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
Colossians 1:10 (ESV)
Jennifer from Bourbonnais, Illinois, For nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37 NIV
Isaiah 58:7 NIV
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Proverbs 12:18 ESV
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Brittany Kasischke from Houston – I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
Kelly from Gunnison, CO
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV
Ainslie, Columbia SC
“Commit your way to the Lord ; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” Psalm 37:5-6 NIV
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Deb Schiess, Patrick Air Force Base, FL
“Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24 NIV
Julie, Madison AL
“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 43:18 ESV
Phoebe, Tucson, For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father. ” Romans 8.15, NIV
Yvonne
Louisville, KY
Psalm 71:14 (NIV)
But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.
Sadie
Louisville, KY
Proverbs 18:10 (HCSB)
The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are protected.
Abbi
Monroe, Louisiana
“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God,
and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.”
-1Peter 5:6, NLT
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 NIV
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
2 Cor 9:8 NIV
Erika Chapman
Florence, SC
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 NIV
Deb V, Archbold, OH
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand, do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phillipians 4:4-7 ESV
Kayla , Honolulu, Hawaii
“No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfect in us.” -I John 4:12 (ESV)
Mary Lou Graham, Littleton, CO,
Long ago the Lord said to Israel: I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. Jeremiah 31:3 NLT