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
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
Mechelle Williams, Kingsport,TN
Jennie from Bladenboro, NC:
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. Eph. 1:17 NIV
Donnalyn from Lewisville, TX
I have loved you with an everlasting love.
I have drawn you with loving kindness.
Jer 31:3 NIV
Michelle, Eucha, OK
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is the will of God for you who belong to Christ Jesus. I Thes. 5:18
Mary Ellen, Barboursville
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your Word. I seek You with all my heart, do not let me stray from Your commands. I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You. Prov 4:20-22
Tara from Hot Springs
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5 NIV)
Andrea from Gardendale
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:34-35 NLT
Patty, Knoxville
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last – and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. John 15:16 NIV
James 3:16
New International Version (NIV)
16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
Liz Gladstone Or
All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace.
Isaiah 54:13 NIV
Isaiah 43:25 (New Living Translation) “I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.
Dawn, Bakersfield, CA
There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.
There she will respond as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt.
(Hosea 2:15 NIV)
Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.
Mark 9:37 NIV
From Chisholm, MN
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom
And your dominion endures
through all generations.
Psalm 145:13 NIV
Lori – Arlington, TX
Then Messiah will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
Eph. 3:17 NLT
Gretchen in warsaw, IN
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8 NIV
2 Timothy 1:7. For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgement.
I like this one because I have lived so much of my life in fear
Mischia, Morganton, NC
He chose to give birth to us by giving us His true Word. And we, out of all creation, became His prized possession. James 1:18 (NLT)
Holly from Muscle Shoals, AL: And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10, NIV
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Kim – Arcadia, CA
Rita – Alva, Florida
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
Colossians 3:17 NLT
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
1 John 1:2
“The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.”
1 John 1:2 NIV
Debbie,Millen,GA.Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners ,nor sits in the seat of the scornful.Psalm1:1NKJV
Riverton, UT
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV)
Tanya from Satsuma,AL
And the Lord wrote on the tables as at the first writing, the Ten Commandments which the Lord had spoken to you on the mountain out of the midst of the assembly; and the Lord gave them to me. Deuteronomy 10:4 Amplified
Jessica R., Allen TX
John 15:4-5
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
James1:1-5
Melissa, Houston, Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son God”
Jana from Yukon, OK
Commit to The Lord whatever you do and he will establish your plans.
Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Carol from Plano TX
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Gal 6:9
Heidi, Atlanta
Ephesians 4:1, ESV
I, therefore, a prisoner for The Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
Kristy, Houston
Psalm 121:2 ESV
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV
Jane…..Social Circle, nkjv
Ephesians 5:1
Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in Love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma.
Deborah Davis
Elgin, Texas
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
Jeremiah 17:7 (NKJV)
Maria Cristina – Orlando, FL
The unfailing love of the LORD never ends. By His mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!”
Lamentations 3:22-24, NASB
Jennifer, San Antonio TX, 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. NIV
Kristi Pahlas, Acworth GA
Romans 2:2
Do not conform anymore 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.
NIV
Ron
Ontario,Canada
NIV
Job 31:1
“I made a covenant with my eyes not to
Look lustfully at a young woman.”
Susan Cook
Leander, Texas
Now to him who is able to do exceeding, abundantly beyond all we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Eph. 3:20-21 (KJV)
I’m worried I forgot to post this one I’ve been working on:
Elisabeth, Houston:
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
John 10:10b (ESV)
Here is a made up song in response to this evenings news:
Oh, oh, oh, an owl got saved today!!!! Buut thats just Your way, yesterday, and today, its Just Your way, to care enough for some to take note of a little something stuck in the grill of a big truck. Oh, oh, oh, its just all it took for one, two, and a few to say,
Hey, theres a something in that grill of yours! And there the lil something lay, a lil yellow owl. They came to lift him outta that grill and now that lil owl is calm and still, because he knows His way saved him todaaaay!
Girls, how’s that for evening news! Awe, I needed to hear that! Oh, God is SO graciously good! Oh praise Him! I was feeling oppressed, depressed, regressed, suppressed, and just so so pressed and have been close to finding myself back the grill of pity. But God caused me to flick on the news for the first time in a long time – and here, God let me see that cute lil owl be rescued!!!! I’ve been feeling down from the news and all but today God showed me through a lil yellow owl of His way- His presence, His strength, and His sovereignty are here to stay!!!!
Love you all, and lets all siesta into His everlasting way today!
Kristy from Crystal Lake, IL
“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, TNIV (taken from The Story)
Heb 4:12 NKJ
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Holly, Rome, GA
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.
Isaiah 54:13, ESV
Of Benjamin he said, “The beloved of the LORD dwells in safety. The High God surrounds him all day long, and dwells between his shoulders.”
Deuteronomy 33:12 (NIV)
Kelli, Nashville
James 1:2
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,” NAS
Megan, Northlake, TX
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)
Sarah, Dry Ridge, Kentucky, My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples. John 15:8 HCSB