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 – 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.) 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
Edie, sanford, NC genesis 1:27 NIV So God created mankindnin His own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.
Lorraine,Ontario, Canada,
Now faith is confidence and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrew 11:1
Hallelujah! Amen! Thankyou.
“They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust The Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.” Ps 112:7-8
Victoria, BC, Canada
Philippians 2:13 (KJV)
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
Marissa in Wisconsin:
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8 (NLT)
Jill from Oak Ridge, TN
Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” Joshua 3:5 NIV
“I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope.
I wait for the LORD, more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.”
Ps. 130:5-6 NIV
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord for he has been good to me. Psalm 13:5-6 NIV
For the mighty One has de great things for me; and holy is his name. Luke 1:49
Joanne, Christchurch, New Zealand. “Praise the Lord. Let all that I am praise the Lord. ” Psalm 146:1
Ivah, Sacramento, Ca
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.. 2 Cor 10:5 KJV
Jude 2 NIV
Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.
All your children shall be taught by the Lord and great will be the peace of your children Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Psalm 25:4-5 NIV ”
Teach me your ways ,O God, Show me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me for you are God, my Saviour. In you I put my hope all day long”
Patti from La Porte
“Great are the works of the Lord:
they are pondered by all who delight in them.”
Psalm 111: 2 NIV
Victoria, BC, Canada
Galatians 2:18 (KJV)
“for if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.`
“What is impossible with man is possible with God”. Luke 18:27
“But you, oh Lord , are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.”
Psalm 3:3
Christine, Ireland. 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 straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6. NKJV
Jeanna
Powhatan, VA
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. (Psalm 118:8 ESV)
Victoria, BC, Canada
Luke 17:32 (KJV)
“Remember Lot’s wife”
(I’m going on holidays tomorrow so I’m having an easy verse for the next 2 weeks and posting it now cause I may not have any internet access where I’m going) 🙂
Sue from Kalamazoo, MI
‘But I have stilled and quieted my soul.’ Psalm 131:2a (NIV 1984)
He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. Proverbs 21:23 NIV
Lynchburg, VA.
Psalm 6:6 (English Standard Version)
6 I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping.
God is mighty, but does not despise men; he is mighty and firm in his purpose.
Job 36:5 NIV
“He will provide a crown of beauty for ashes, oil of joy for mourning, and garment of praise for despair.” Isaiah 61:3
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence comes my help.
“He will not let your foot be moved–He will not slumber”. Psalm 121:2,3
Be joyful in hope patient in affliction, faithful in prayer
Romans 12:12 (NIV)
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.
Philippians 4:9
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of the peace will be with you.
Austin tx
John 10:27
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;
Savannah, Arkadelphia AR
He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matt 5:3, NIV
Gail Tyler,TX
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 NKJV
Victoria, BC, Canada
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (KJV)
“Hear O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul and with all thy might.
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9 Holly Pineville, La NIV
Shannon Houston, TX
Jer 17:14 NIV
Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for You are the One I praise.
Ruth, Odin, IL
“because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.”
-Romans 8:2 (NIV84)
Morgan, Commerce, TX
instead of being ashamed, you will receive twice as much wealth. Instead of being disgraced you will be happy because of what you receive. You will receive a double share of land. So your happiness will continue forever. Isaiah 61:7 International Children’s Bible
Victoria, BC, Canada
1 Timothy 1:17 (KJV)
“Now unto the King, eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory, forever and ever,. Amen.”
Lucette from Thunder Bay, Ontario. “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the faint hearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all” (1 Thess. 5:14 ) NKJV
“You are my witnesses,” declairs the Lord, “and my servent whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand I that I am he. Before me no God was formed, nor will there be one after me. Isaiah 43:10 NIV
Selina, Aberdeen. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. john 3:16 NKJV
“Perfect love casts out fear.” I John 4:18
“The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, dwells in you.” Romans 8:11
Sara, Jackson, MI- “know therefore, that The Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.” Deut. 7:9, NIV84
Amanda, Chandler AZ
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity but of power, love and discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NASB)
Nesha Vest, Mechanicsville VA
‘In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.’ John 14:2 NIV
Emilie Eaton, IN
Proverbs 28:3 NIV
A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crop.
Victoria, BC, Canada
1 Timothy 2:5 (KJV)
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.”
Be merciful unto me, O Lord; for I cry unto thee daily.
Psalms 86:3
Patty Lockstedt, Abilene tx., Isaiah 54:13 And all thy children shall be taught of The Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. KJV , LASB
Johnine from Murfreesboro, TN
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God love a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV
Philippians 4:8 NIV
“Finally, brothers, 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.”