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
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight reign on his tongue,
he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
James 1:26 NIV
Sherryl from Collierville,TN,
James 2:1-4 (NIV)
My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. [2] Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. [3] If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” [4] have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Nicole K, St Louis, MO
”I long to see you that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift to make you strong that its that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each others faith” James 2:11 -12 NIV
Wendy – Modesto, CA
I any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him.
James 1:5 (NIV)
Audra, San Tan Valley, AZ
Lam 3:22 ESV
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to and end.
Alexandria, VA
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians5: 22-23 (NIV)
Julie from Ballard, WA
Exodus 14:14 NIV
The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.
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.
Proverbs 3:5,6
Carol, Vernon Hills, IL
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.
Psalm 51:10-12 NIVSB
Robyn, Jackson, TN
“If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.”
Job 36:11
NIV
Patty
Allison Park, PA
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Oops – forgot to type this one in!
“Trust in Him at all times, O People; pour out your hearts before Him; God is a refuge for us.”
Psalm 62:8 ESV
Olivia from Lapwai, Idaho, Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 ESV
Allie, south pasadena ca
All your children shall be taught by The Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13 ESV
James 1:20 – for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires. ESV
Kim, College Station “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
2 Corinthians 10:4
“For the weapons of our warefare are not carnal, but mighty through God,through the pulling down of strongholds.”
Katie: Shreveport, LA
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV84
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. – Galatians 5:1 niv
Kelly, Tampa
Brandi, Traverse City, Mi
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight reign on his tongue,
he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
James 1:26 NIV
Catherine, Houston
Philippians 4: 6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4: 6-7, NIV
Jennifer from Cleveland, MS
“Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” 1 Cor. 6:12, NIV
I think I’m confused. I’ve been entering my verses by going to the intial blog posting. I’ve entered for January 1, January 15, February 1; and will enter February 15. Am I supposed to be going a different websites or blog sites each time?
Cassie, TrafalgarIN, He restores my soul, Heleads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Psalm 23:3 NKJ
Pam Peters from Celina, TX
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalms 139:14-16 NIV84)
Donielle from Columbia, SC
Psalm 61:5 ESV
“For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.”
Maxine, Mountain Home,AR
The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in him and I am helped. Therefore my heart exalts and with my song I shall thank him.
Psalm 28:7 NAS
Debbie, Richmond, VA
“The eyes of The Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV
Lupe from Kansas, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; (Isaiah 61:1 NKJV)
Rhanda
Columbus, TX
Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
Be merciful and answer me!
My heart has heard you say,
“Come and talk with me. ”
And my heart responds,
“Lord, I am coming.”
— Psalms 27:7-8
Proverbs 13:6a (NIV) “Righteousness guards the man of integrity.”
Crystal, Gridley,IL
Sara: Tampa, Fl
Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon the earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
-Psalm 73:25-26 NKJV
Psalm 59:1 (NIV)
“Deliver me from my enemies, O God; protect me from those who rise up against me.”
Lydia, Charlotte, NC, Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. Proverbs 4:21 ESV
Psalm 46:1
God is our Refuge and Strength an ever-Present help in trouble.
Jeremiah 32:18b-19
the Lord of Hosts is His name; great in counsel and mighty in deed, Whose eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of man, giving to everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds.
Anita
Justin, TX
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV84)
Michele, Hollister, California “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Laura from Cartersville, GA
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given. ” James 1:5
Abbie, Katy, ” And this is the confidence that we have before him: that whenever we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” 1 John 5:14 (NET)
Lisa Corbin,KY “For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did; sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:3-4
Jenni from Jefferson City, MO. “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12, ESV
I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 Orthodox Study Bible
Fountain Hills Az
Philippians 4:4-5
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Laurie from Dripping Springs- “God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble.”Psalm 46:1 NASB
Bec Sandeman, Bendigo, Australia:
“Blessed are those whose strength is in You, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage” Psalm 84:5 (NIV)
Ros Rock from Colbert, GA
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’ (Numbers 6:24-26 NIV84)
Rachelle, Cedar Park TX – 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 niv
Sheila from Pampa, Texas
#SSMT2013 #2
“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
My “ONE WORD” for 2013 is OVERCOME. My desire is to [through His power] overcome the things of this world and to be overcome by the things of Him. My verses for 2013, for the most part, will follow this theme.
Belinda @Olathe KS –
But You, O Lord, are a shield around me;
You are my glory,
The One Who holds my head high;
I cried out to The Lord,
and He answered me from the holy mountain.
I lay down and slept,
yet I woke up in safety,
for The Lord was watching over me.
Psalms 3:3-5 NLT