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
Sheila, Rosharon, TX
‘For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you.’
1 Thessalonians 1:4 NIV
John 15:8
” This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples”
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Janice, Halifax
Linda
Jamestown,NY
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Sharon.
Glennville, Ga
Romans 8:37. NIV
In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
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.
Romans 12:2 NLT
Jodi:Fairhope, AL – But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. I Timothy 4:7-8 NKJV
Jessica, St.Catharines
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
Phil 4:8 MSG
Ashley, Duette, Fl. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
Christine, Hardeeville, SC. “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, ‘Destroy them!'” Deuteronomy 33:27 NIV
Cammi, Magnolia, TX. “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:5-7 NIV)
Teresa, Sturgis, Deuteronomy 33:29b. Niv. He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will trample down their high places.
Sarah, Anna, & Janie
Bartlesville, OK
Matthew 4:19 NIV “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
Staci, Bismarck, North Dakota “Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but He will heal us; He has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.”
Hosea 6:1 (NIV)
Kim, Cedar Park TX
All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13
Deb C., Stetson, Maine, ” My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.” Ps. 34:2
Bonnie from Laconia, NH
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge … ”
Psalm 91:4 NIV
I am sooo late in leaving my comment for the 15th!
Katie, Houston, TX: The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. Psalm 145:13 NIV
Terrie
Pensacola,Florida
Isaiah 54:13 ” All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace”. Isaiah 54:13 niv
Jane Steen. Portstewart – Northern Ireland.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Isaiah 40V31
‘But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired’.
Abbey, Colorado Springs
Isaiah 55:9-11
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth, and making it bud and flourish so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to my empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Kelly Hillis, Chesterfield, Missouri
James 1:5-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
Kelley, Atlanta, “Come to me, all you who are 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
Kim Feth
Apex, NC
NIV
John 13:35
By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.
Sarah, Shelbyville
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption thaat came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23 NIV
Kelly from Hollidaysburg, PA
“You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.”
~Joshua 23:14
Three Rivers, MI “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dealy loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14 NIV
Allie, Memphis, TN
Matthew 5:13″ Jesus says, you are the salt of the earth ; but if the salt has become tasteless , how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.” (NASB)
Jacque from Chesnee, SC: Ezekiel 36:26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Cara, Dublin, Ireland
John 14:27 NIV: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you. My power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
One of my favorites.
Christine, Lewisburg PA
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. (1 Peter 4:12 NIV84)
Lendi from Humble, TX
“Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name,O Lord God of hosts.”
Jeremiah 15:16
NASB
Ann, Lee’s Summit, MO
Hebrews 12:2 NIV
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, The author and perfector of our faith, Who for the joy set before him endured the cross, Scorning it’s shame, And sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Colossians 3:12
NIV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Teri
Indianapolis
Psalms 86:11-17
Train me, God, to walk straight; then I will follow your true path. Put me together, one heart and mind, undividied, I’ll worship in JOYFUL fear. From the bottom of my heart I thank you dear Lord; I’ve never kept secret what you are up to You’ve always been great toward me– what LOVE! You snatched me from the brink of disaster! God these bullies have reared their heads! A gang of thugs is after me- and they don’t care a thing about You. But You, O God, are both tender and kind, not easily angered, immerse in love and you never never quit. So look me in the eye and show kindness, give our servant the strength to go on, save you dear dear child! Make a show of how much you love me, so the bullies who hate me will stand there slack jawed. As you, God, gently and powerfully put me back on my feet! ( Message)
Angel Bowman
Murfreesboro, TN
Don’t be afraid, because I am with you. Don’t be intimidated; I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will support you with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 God’s Word
Katie
Greenville, SC
1 John 4:9-11 (NIV)
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Kristy from Richmond, VA
Prov 17:4
Evil people relish malicious conversation; the ears of liars itch for dirty gossip. (MSG)
Catherine, Houston:
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 ESV
Even those things WE don’t see as good, God sees as good, in His perfect plan.
But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
Lori Lightfoot
Lubbock, Tx
Proverbs 31:25 AMP
Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]!
Lisa, Tuscaloosa:
Commit your activities to the Lord and your plans will be achieved. Proverbs 16:3
Kristine in Edmond, “So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” Romans 8:6 NLT
Jordan from Campbellsville, Ky.
“For we do not have have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:15,16
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Dana Pace, FL
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be know to God.
ESV Phillipians 4:6
Bethany, Newton KS
Psalm 145:1-2 “1 I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.” NIV
Sharon, Barrington
“All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Wanda, from Houston,”But the wisdom from above is first pure,then peaceable,gentle, reasonable,full of mercy and good fruits,unwavering, without hypocrisy. James 3:17, NASB