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
Newby, Greenwood, MS; All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Hannah from Mobile, AL
Dear Brothers & sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James1:2 NLT
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses let us lay aside every encumbrance and sin that so easily entangles us and run with perserverence the race set before us. NAS
Kelli, Dover
Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:2 ESV
Tina, Hampton, VA: And He changeth the times and the seasons; He removeth kings, and setteth up kings; He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding; Daniel 2:21 JPS 1917
The Lord hates six things/ in fact seven are detestable to Him: arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, Proverbs 6:16-17 HCSB
O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 (NLT)
Shannon from Tallahassee, FL:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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 mind in Christ Jesus.”
~ Philippians 4:6-7, NIV
Jordan from Fort Wayne, IN
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17, NIV ’84
Ellen K, Findlay, OH
Therefore, I the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called. Ephesians 4:1 NASB
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; Numbers 6:25
Through wisdom is a house builded and by understanding it is established. Proverbs 24:3 KJV
Lori from St. Catharines, ON
But you thought you could get along without me so you trusted instead in your fame and beauty. You gave yourself as a prostitute to every man who came along. Your beauty was theirs for the asking. Ezekiel 16:15 NLT
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. 2 Sammuel 22:33
Pam, Tallahassee, FL
“I give you a new commandment: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. – John 13:34, HCSB
Andrea, Kearney, MO: We are coworkers belonging to God. You are God’s field, God’s building.
1 Corinthians 3:9 NET
Andrea, Kearney, MO: Keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.
Psalms 3: 1-2 NIV
Andrea, Kearney, MO: With your very own hands you formed me, now breath life over me so that I can understand you.
Psalms 119:73 MSG
Glenda, texas\
Isaiah 44:6
I am the first and I am the last; apart from me ther is no other God. NIV
Lisa, from Denver
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 {NIV}
Heather – McDonough, GA
He is enthralled by your beauty, since He is your Lord, bow to him.
Psalm 45:11 ESV
I will praise The Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.
Psalm 16:7
Fairborn, Oh
Amanda
Seagoville TX
1Peter 4:8CEV
Most important of all you must sincerely love each other, because love wipes away many sins.
Albuquerque, NM
Lamentations 3:22-23
“It is of his mercies we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.” KJV
Denise
The Woodlands, Texas
Proverbs 11:30
The fruit of the rightous is a tree of life. He who is wise wins souls.
HNV
Stacey, McKinney TX
The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Psalm 9:9 NIV
Janelle from Ocala, FL
Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground.He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering,yet we considered him punished by God,stricken by him, and afflicted.But he was pierced for our transgressions,he was crushed for our iniquities;the punishment that brought us peace was on him,and by his wounds we are healed.We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way;and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
ISAIAH 53:1-6 NIV
“2013 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 2!
Sue, Kalamazoo, MI
“From the ends of the earth I call to you. I call as my heart grows faint: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.
Psalm 61:2- 3, NIV
“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)
Linda, Puyallup, Washington
He was in the beginning with God. John 1:2 ESV
Matthew 6:33
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Barbara Moran
Celebration, FL
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.
Psalm 62:5NLT
Andrea R.
Chester VA
Galatians 5:1
It is for freesom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and so not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9 NKJV
Do not conform 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)
Carol Wilson, Choctaw, OK
Trust in The Lord with all your heart & do not rely on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5 (Holman)
Gina, Wilson, NC
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves
all those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18 NIV
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NIV
Peggy, Jackson, Michigan
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf, and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face,
that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself,
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
I say this in order that no one may delude you with persuasive argument.
For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.
For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form,
and in Him you have een made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;
and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;
havig been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,
having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and He has teken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a puyblic display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.
Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day–
things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.
Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind,
and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.
If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to the decrees, such as,
“Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”
(which all refer to things destined to perish with the using)–in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men?
These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.
Colossians 2 NASB
Jennifer H.
Des Moines, IA
But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Psalm 3:3 ESV
Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Lamentations 3:23
Michelle, Auburn, Indiana
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV
Penny G from Coweta, OK
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matt 5:16 (NIV)
Ginger Hawthorne. Houston. Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
NRSV Just found this blog, catching up before CotD ends, memorized 2/17/13 MDUMC “Final Words from the Cross” Lenten study.
Then all your children will be taught by the Lord , their prosperity will be great, (Isaiah 54:13 HCSB)
Kendra ~Enid,OK
Proverbs 3:5,7 (NIV)
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.
Haley Harmer from Fayetteville, Arkansas
Psalm 145:15-16 The eyes of all wait for You, looking, watching, and expecting, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy every living thing with favor. AMP
Psalms 143:8
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go for to you I lift up my soul.
Gray, TN
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry” James 1:19 NIV