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
Rebecca Mobile Alabama
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings,
Psalm 17:8 ESV
Patricia, Dallas TX
Isaiah 30:21 {HCSB}
And whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”
Ashley, Denver, Co
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask of think, according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever, amen. ESV
Tanya, Columbus GA
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 HCSB
Caitlyn Arlington TX
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me
lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside still
waters. He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and
thy staff they comfort me. KJV
Shellee, Carmel
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11 NIV
Meg.
Palo Alto, Ca
Proverbs 3:26 NIV
For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.
Mandy
Tallahassee, FL
“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 wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
Amy M.
Columbia, SC
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12, NLT
Ana from Greenwood, SC
“Hear O Israel, the LORD is our God, the LORD alone!”
(Deut. 6:4 NABRE)
Keri M. Marietta, GA
All those gathered here will know that it is not by the sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.
1 Samuel 17:47 NIV
Kim
Loganville, GA
Psalms 103: 2 (NLT)
2 Let all that I am praise the Lord. May I never forget the good things He does for me.
All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace. Is. 54:13 NIV
Susie, Atlanta, GA.
“And now, Lord, You are God and have promised this good thing to Your servant.”
I Chronicles 17:26
Renee Kelley, from Houston, Tx:
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)
Donna, Deer Park TX
DO NOT be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your request to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts ad your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6&7, NIV
Debra – Many, La
“I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.”
Psalm 62:1
Holman Christian Standard
Tisha, Rainbow City, AL
For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land…Deuteronomy 8:7a (NIV)
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
Laura J. , Katy, TX
” Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Prov. 3:5-6 NIV
Cheri from Jay Oklahoma
Micah 6:8 NASB
8. He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you. But to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God
Sheree, Abilene, KS Psalm 118:28 “You are my God and I will give you thanks; You are my God and I will exalt you.”
Mindy
Ontario, Canada
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Psalm 63:1-3
O God, you are my God,
earnestly I see you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and glory.
Because your love is better than life
my lips will glorify you.
Nancy, Barboursville WV
Proverbs 13:3 NIV
“Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”
2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly out weights them and will last forever.
Caitlin from Gray Court, SC
Romans 12:2 HCS
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Samantha Rodriquez, Ft. Lewis, WA
Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Ephesians 4:29, NIV
Carrie, Burnsville MN
Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (NIV)
Juliana, Dahlgren IL
For man does not know his time; like fish taken in a cruel net, like birds caught in a snare! So the sons of men are snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them.
Ecclesiastes 9:12, NKJV
Diana, Cincinnati 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
“And if I parcel out all my possessions, and if I hand over my body in order that I will be burned, but do not have love, it benefits me nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13:3
Kathryn Salley Greenville, SC
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord . “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8, 9 NIV)
Krista- Dardanelle, AR
Colossians 3:23 KJV
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.
Angela , Jersey City, NJ, Psalm 91:1-2 “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
Courtney, Charleston, “The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.” Isaiah 62:2 NRSV
Shannon from Nashville, TN
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.” Isaiah 43:1 HCSB
Shaina B., Columbus, OH
“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
Rhonda, San Angelo TX
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8 AMP)
Deana, Waco TX
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Colossians 3:1-2 (NASB)
Vicki, Bergheim, Texas
2 Corinthians 5:17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! NLT
Courtney, Austin, TX Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” NIV
Cheri, Indian Trail, NC “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever sitation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13 ESV)
Debbie, North Carolina, He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. Proverbs 13:3 NKJV
Andrea, Chillicothe
Proverbs 16:9 “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” NASB
Kathy, Parrish, FL
I rely on the Lord,
I rely on him with my whole being;
I wait for his assuring word.
Psalm 130:5 (NET)
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
Amanda from Bedford, Tx
“…You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.”
I Peter 3:6 NIV