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
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, fo ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21. NIV
Ruth from Atlanta:
My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Psalm 34:2 ESV
I have been doing the siesta memory since
January and have not received a post as yet.
I have filled out info twice please let me
Know if you have my info. Thank u
John 14:12 The truth is, anyone who believes in me will do the same works i have done, and even greater works, because i am going to be with the Father. NIV
Peg Buchanan
Jesus then declared. I the one speaking to you ….am He
John 4. 26
Life Application. NIV
Laurie, Dallas, Texas. “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11 (ESV)
Alyssa, Sealy TX: “For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you.” 1 Thes 1:4 NIV
“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Genesis 28:15 NIV
Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.” Exodus 33:13 NKJV
Kelly
Daphne, AL
Psalm 139:13
You created every part of me; you put me together in my mother’s womb.
GNT
Beth from Atlanta, GA “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 KJV
DeAnn Salina, Ks “Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” Proverbs 27:9 The message
Fear not, For I am with you, do not be dismayed, I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
Fairborn, OH
Debbie, Spartanburg SC
Honor all people.
Love the brotherhood.
Fear God.
Honor the King.
1Peter 2:17 NKJ
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one bocy. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:15-16 (ESV)
Jane Rema, Victoria, BC, Canada Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Julia, Alamo, TN
Psalm 51:10-12
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from Your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.
Susan
Jersey Village, TX
“Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?
For from Him and through Him
and for Him are all things.
To Him be the Glory forever. Amen.
Romans 11:35-36 ( NIV )
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:4-5
Isaiah26:3-4 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. NIV
Fredericksburg,Tx NIV Titua 2:5
(for older women)..”be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God”
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Psalms 105:4 NIV
Fredericksburg,Tx NIV Feb 1 Titus 25
“be self controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
This is a new e-mail address, and the first time I’ve submitted this verse.(Submitted two previously, in Jan)
Mikki,Bryan, He has told you,O man,what is good;and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice,and to love kindness,and to walk humbly with your GOD? Micah 6:8 (ESV)
Proverbs 26:20 NLT
Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
2 Corinthians 10:5
New Life Version (NLV)
We break down every thought and proud thing that puts itself up against the wisdom of God. We take hold of every thought and make it obey Christ.
Dotti
Jackman, ME
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. Phillippians 4:6-7
Angelica Birmingham
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6 NIV
Rachel,Winnipeg,”Do all things without grumbling or disputing” Phil. 2:14 NIV
Littleton, CO: “No, in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37 NIV
Joshua 1:9 Hav eI not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Laura~Saskatchewan,Can
“All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace.”
Isaiah 54:13 NIV
I love that verse Laura and am continually reminded of it when times get a little rough with my tribe of 4 followers 🙂
Autumn, Wetumpka. “My heart has heard You saying, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord I am coming.’ ” Psalm 27:8 NLT
Susan Smith Saint Peters, MO
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (Ephesians 6:10, 11 NIV)
Deanna from Summerille, SC
Finally , brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8 NKJ
Judy – Baldwyn, MS
The Lord is gracious and righteous,
Our God is full of compassion.
Psalm 116:5 NIV
Be Joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Wendy Boca Raton, FL
Jesus looked her in the eye. “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would sew the glory of God?”
John 11:40
The Message
Sara Coll – Forest Lake, MN – “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12 NIV)
‘But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in HIM.’
Jeremiah 17:7
NIV
Alece from Lawton, OK ” Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? God doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch His breath and He knows everything, inside and out.” Isaiah 40:28 The Message
Ann from St. Johns FL, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 NIV
1 John 5:13 NAS
“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life.”
Carolyn
Wheaton
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
Matt 21:22 NIV
“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
Anna from Sulphur, LA
And we hid as it were our faces from him, he was despised and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53, KJV
Theresa, Cincinnati, But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 NIV84
Save me on God, for the floodwaters have overcome me.
Ps. 69:1
Katie, Kentucky
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
“And the city did not need the sun or the moon. The glory of God was shining on it, and the Lamb was its light.” Revelation 21:23 (NIV) Dallas,TX