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.Ā 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,Ā 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 Å”-l-m is of completion and fulfillmentāof 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 –Ā 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.)Ā 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 ā Scripture Memory Team ā 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
Though You have made me see through troubles, many and bitter, You will restore my life again; From the depths of the Earth You will again bring me up Psalm 71:20 NIV
Raygan Douglas, Lorena, Texas
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Karrie Middleburg Florida
Proverbs 3:3 NCV
3 Donāt ever forget kindness and truth. Wear them like a necklace. Write them on your heart as if on a tablet.
Nancy from Birmingham, AL
You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
Exodus 22:16 NIV
Christy, Bethlehem, PA
” 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, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Lithia, Florida
We love because he first loved us. — 1 John 4:19
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8
He give us the power of His Holy Spirit to be HIS witnesses everywhere we ever go.
Romans 8:28 (NET)
And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
Kierstan
Portland, Oregon
…very late
Clothe yourselves therefore, as Godās own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper].
The Amplified Bible
Col 3:12
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Cresanna
Bible School Park, NY
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV — sorry it’s so late, I forgot to post it.
Kimberly from Houston, TX
“Is it not this kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share you 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?”
Isaiah 58:6-7
Sue S from Lawrenceville, GA
“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.” Romans 8:28 NIV84
Kelly, The Hills. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 NIV
Philippians 4:7 Then you will experiene God’s peace, which exceeds anyhing we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (NLT)
Yvonne
Lee’s Summit, MO
Leslie, El Paso All your children shall be taught by the LORD and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Leah, Friendswood , NKJ
Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.
Phillipians 4:6-7
Kim, Edmonds, WA; “Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon His Name; make known His deeds among the people!” Psalm 105:1 ESV
Mindi, Amarillo, Texas
Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you oh Lord, my rock and redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
Bethany, Houston, TX
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
Katie from Kearney, NE
Charm is deceptive, beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears The Lord is to be praised. Honor her in the work of her hands and praise will be hers at the city gates. Proverbs 31:30-31 NIV
Becky from Richmond, Va- You will seek Me and you will find Me when you search for Me with all of your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 HCSB
I love you all.
“Come follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19
Tricia: Ada, OK:
āCall to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.ā (Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV)
Heidi
Midland, TX
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (James 1:6 NIV)
Elkins, AR
He makes me to lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. Psalm 23:2-3a NIV1984
Cheryl Williams, Little Rock, Arkansas
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1 NAS
Tammy Massirer, Crawford, TX. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Annette, Wylie. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:23 NIV
Teresa from Apex, North Carolina
Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 NIV
Trudi, Lynchburg, OH
Continue to pray especially and with the most intense earnestness night and day the we may see you face to face and mend and make good whatever may be imperfect and lacking in our faith.
1 Thessalonians 3:10
Anna, Redford, MI
I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace while you trust in him. Then your hope will overflow by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NCV
“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” Psalm 118:8 (KJV)
Jennifer from Portland, OR
2 Timothy 4:1-2 NIV
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and kingdom, I give you this charge: preach the word: be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage– with great patience and careful instruction.
Toni, Grand Haven. “Do everything in love.” 1 Cor 16:14 NIV
Sara, Houston
A bit late to this party but still memorizing: May the words of my mouth and the meditation o fmy heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock & my Redeemer!
Psalm 19:14 – NIV
Amy Jo, Henderson, TX
Psalm 103:1-5
1 Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefitsā
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagleās.
Pamela from Belmont, NC
I praise you because I am fearfully and
wonderfully made; your works are wonderful
I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14 NIV
Morristown I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 1 Timothy 2:8 NKJV
Kathy Inman
Fort Worth, TX
2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has given us everytning we need for life and Godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own Glory & Goodness. (sorry & 4 ) Through these He has given us His very Great and Precious Promises, so that through them you may participate in the Divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. HCSB
Lisa Thompson,
Richmond BC
Matthew 10:19(b) (NIV)
“..do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,”
Hebrews 4:14-16 CEV
Jesus is the Great High Priest
We have a great high priest, who has gone into heaven, and he is Jesus the Son of God. That is why we must hold on to what we have said about him. Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way we are. But he did not sin! So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path
Psalms 119:105 KJV
Candie from gulfport, ms
7 āAsk, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?
matthew 7:7-9 ESV
Ellen, in Georgia
Psalm 25:4-6, “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” (NIV)
Kim from Euless, Tx
2 John 6 NIV
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
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 hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Beth, Northern Italy
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Michele, Naperville, IL “All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Kaziah from Prairieville, LA
“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.” (1 Peter 2:11 NIV)