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
Linda, Lufkin
May the God of hope fill you
with all joy and peace
as you trust in Him,
so that you may overflow with hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
Britney, Concord, NC. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” -Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Faye, Ocala – “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. NIV
Jeanifer Bartlett, Port Neches, TX
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)
Tracy, Canton GA:
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5
(NASB)
Sarah Staples, Kearney, NE. Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes. Psalm 119:135 (ESV)
Beth.Woodstock, GA. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:3 (NIV)
Ellen Forrester
Spring, TX
Romans 1:16 (NASB)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Casey from Fort Pierce, FL
1 John 5:14-15 (NLT)
“And we can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. And if we know he is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that he will give us what we ask for.”
Erica, Chicago IL
“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.”
-Romans 14:1 (NIV)
Rana Smith, Whitehouse, TX, “I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 NLT
Karen H., Stephenville, TX
Romans 11:34-35 (NASB)
For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?
Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to Him again?
Kim, Oklahoma City
Phillippians 2:13 For it is God who is working in you, (enabling you ) both to will and to act for His good purpose. NIV
But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue tied, and my words get tangled.” Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” Exodus 4:10-12 NLT
Katie, Vancouver, WA Proverbs 31:25, “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”
Anisha, McKinney Texas “Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. come and share your master’s happiness! Matthew 25:21 NIV
Tami, Palm Coast: Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle. Psalm 103:2-5 (NIV)
Psalm 1:1-2 “Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.”
Kim
Orange City
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of The Lord our God.
Psalm 20:7
NIV
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 NIV
Melanie from Cedar Rapids, IA “Know also, that wisdom is sweet to your soul: if you find it, there is a future hope for you and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 24:14 NIV
Annette – Richmond, TX; John 1:4 ESV
In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
Atlanta, MO
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers;
But his deight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yeilds its fruit in season, and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.”
Psalms 1:1-3 NIV84
jackie from Platte City, MO
Deut 6:23
He brought us out that He might bring us in.
Stephanie Welch
Eatonton, Georgia
Isaiah 41:13 NIV
For I am the Lord your God who takes you by your right hand and says to you, “Do not fear I will help you.”
Kristen from Allen, TX
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (Colossians 3:16 NIV)
Terry, Victoria BC Canada. My presence shall go with thee and I will give thee rest. Exodus 33:14 KJV
Shayne – Seymour, TN
“Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce, so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.”
Proverbs 3:7-10 (NASB)
Jami; Valley Grande, AL. All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Jennifer, Houston, TX: For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. 1 Corinthians 14:33 ERV
Amy, Midland, TX
Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the end of the Earth will I cry to you, when my heart is overwhelmed and fainting; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:1-2 AMP
Melanie, Nampa, Idaho
Psalm 25:2b NLT – Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
Cindy from Charleston, SC
“let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires.” James 1:19b-20
Cheryl, Huntington, WV, In peace I will both lie down and sleep for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 ESV
Judy, Oswego, NY
Ecclesiates 3:1 NASB
‘There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.’
The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed. A stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 9:9-10 NIV
Michelle, West Des Moines, IA
Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Galations 6:9 NLT
Bree Barker, Newport KY. “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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 40:30-31
Romans 2:13 “For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in Gods sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.”
Dianne Jones, Fairfield, CA – “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. ” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Connie from Kingwod, TX
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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 4:6-7 NIV
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in picturs of silver. Proverbs 25:11
Sandy Hook KY
Morgan/Chicago
1 Samuel 16:7 NLT
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Sherri Conran- St. Louis
By (the help of God) I will praise His word; on God I lean, rely, and confidently put my trust; I will not fear what can man, who is flesh, do to me.
Psalm 57:4. Amplified
Heather, Morristown, TN
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
James 1:5 NASB
Cindy from Charleston, SC
“let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires.” James 1:19b-20 ESV
Jamie, Missouri City, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”. Mark 8:34
NIV
Deny Himself means to stop doing things my way and do them His way.
Bryn, Frisco,Isaiah 41:13, For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you. NIV
Kristy, Birmingham
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV
Lindsay Haselden, in Florence, SC
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
John 15:7-8 (NIV)