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.Ā 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,Ā 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 Å”-l-m is of completion and fulfillmentāof 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 –Ā 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.)Ā 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 ā Scripture Memory Team ā 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
Ephesians 4:29-32 NIV
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Pat W. green bank, wv.
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
Pat said: Iād rather be His than have riches untold;
I thought those were lyrics to an old gospel song. If they are also from a Bible verse, would you please tell us what the reference is, and from what Bible version it is taken? Thanks!
Andrea, Weston, MO: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own underatnding.
Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Andrea, Kearney, MO: Before I made you in your mother’s womb, I chose you.
Jeremiah 1:5
Andrea, Kearney, MO: I am with you and will protect you everywhere you go.
Genesis 28:15
Andrea, Kearney, MO: He takes care of his people like a shepherd. He gathers them like lambs in his arms and carries them close to him. He gently leads the mothers of the lambs.
Isaiah 40:11
Andrea, Kearney, MO: The Lord is good to everyone; He is merciful to all he has made.
Psalm 145:9
Andrea, Kearney, MO: Lord, you so everything for me. Lord, your love continues forever.
Psalm 138:8
Andrea, Kearney, MO: I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Hebrews 13:5b (NKJV)
Mary Nell Morton, Colorado Springs: “All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Katie – Decatur, IL
But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. (Psalms 3:3 ESV)
Victoria, BC, Canada
Romans 5:1 (KJV)
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”
Victoria, BC, Canada
Romans 5:1 (KJV)
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”.
“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” Isaiah 41:13
“I am with you and will protect you everywhere you go”. Genesis 28:15
Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man, is possible with God” Luke 18:27 NIV
Tracy, Kountze, Texas
Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7 NASB
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13
Waco TX, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” NKJ
Waco TX “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 NKJ
Shannon Wilkinson
Blacksburg, VA
“to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen”
Ephesians 3:21 NIV
Cindy, Beaumont, TX: By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:8, NKJV
Melody, Cleburne, TX
“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.” Psalm 143:8 NIV
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
2nd Thessalonians 3:5 NIRV
May the LORD fill your hearts with GOD’s love, may CHRIST give you the strength to go on.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Ypur sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. ” Psalm 19:14 NKJV
Crystal Parks, NC, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matt 6:34 NIV
Jennifer Fishers, Indiana
Ephesians 5:21 NIV
Submit to one another out of reverence to Christ
I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven. As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us his mercy. Psalm 123: 1-2 NIV
Romans 10:17 NIV
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Giovanna Kerr, Holbrook
NY Eph 6:19-20 NIV
Pray for me that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chain.,
Roxy from Peoria, Illinois
John 15.8 NLT
When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my father in heaven.
Natasha(Pearland)Casting all your care upon Him; for he careth for you. I Peter 5:7 KJV
Kathy, Lincoln
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 of your heart.
Jeremiah 29:12-13
NIV
Rachelle/Starkville, MS
John 14:26 (NKJV)
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Psalm 23 kjv
But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is n him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV
Wanda
Hiram, GA
The fear of man brings a snare,
But he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.
Proverbs 29:25
NASB
Ryan
Moore, OK
John 14:1 – ESV
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”
Dana from Waterford, Ohio
(Thessalonians 5:11) NIV
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Jovita
Georgetown, SC
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Phillipians 4: 8 KJV
Hilary, Buffalo, NY
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 3:3 NIV
The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love PS 145:8 (NLT)
Psalm 18:19 NIV
He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delightd in me.
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord. Psalm 134:2 NIV
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV)
Heather circleville, ohio
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6 NIV)
Heather circleville, ohio
Victoria, BC, Canada
Revelation 3:22 (KJV)
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
Kathy S – New Albany, OH
Isaiah 54:13 NIV
All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.
leslie tatum niv ‘i have told you these things so you may have peace. in this world you will have trouble. but take heart. i have overcome the world.’
Nicki – Worcester, UK (Great Britain)
Isaiah 26:3 NLT
[3] You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Nicki – Worcester, UK (Great Britain)
Isaiah 26:3 NLT
[3] You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Ashley, Kingwood TX
“All of your children shall be taught by The Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.”
Isaiah 54:13 ESV