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
Rene’ Pingel,Cape Girardeau, MO: but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak & slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. ~ James 1:19 NIV
Rebecca Jo
Greenville, Indiana 🙂
Jordan from Columbia, MO, “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Ephesians 4:29 NLT
Abbey from Warsaw, IN
“…make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 1: 5-8 NIV
Ambur, Fulton, MO ‘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
Donna, Lexington, KY:
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV
Elaine ~ Powder Springs ~ You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. (Psalms 139:2 ESV)
“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths;
Psalm 25:4 NIV
Ellen Hollenshead, Albuquerque, NM
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Susan, Springfield, “From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name.” Luke 1:48b-49, Book of Common Prayer
Debbie, Escondido CA…”Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” Hebrews 10:24 NLT
Andrea, Overland Park, KS
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 4:8 NIV)
Sarah Whitt, Fort Worth, TX
“When there are many wrods, sin is unavoidable. But the one who controls his tounge is wise.”
Proverbs 10:19 NASB
Words**
Mallory B. Lawrence, KS. ESV. “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” Psalm 50:23
Meredith from Holly Ridge, NC
Isaiah 43:1-4a (ESV)-
“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you.”
‘I love you’. Brought tears to my eyes. Loving the verses here.
Sandra from Simpson Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3: 5-6.The Everyday Bible.
Kimberly Orr~Zionsville, Indiana
Then they believed His words; they sang His praise. Psalm 106:12 ESV
with
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Susan B. – Chapin, SC
But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. ! Timothy 6:6-7 ESV
Tammie. Carlisle, PA
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4 ESV)
Romans 8:15 NIV85
Brenda Hayden
Auburn, Washington
Philippians 1:6, ESV
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Colleen, Mae Sot, Thailand
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2 ESV
Dawn West Monroe, LA NIV
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Phillippians 4:13
Shelley from Shiloh, IL “A gentle tongue [with its healing power] is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4, Amplified
M’Lissa from Keller, TX
2 Corinthians 1:9-10 – ESV
Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will deliver us again.
He will not let your foot slip, he who watches over you will not slumber, indeed he who watches over israel will neither sleep nor slumber. Psalm121 vs 3 and 4
Edna, O’Fallon, MO:
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:8, ESV
Tanya, Sierra Vista, AZ
“Let us therefore boldly approach the throne of our gracious God, where we may receive mercy and in his grace find timely help,” Hebrews 4:16 (NEB)
Tammy,
Lusby, MD
Deuteronomy 31:8
NIV
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.
Elizabeth, Gilbert, Az
Search me, o God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
kathy from leesville, la Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms,hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:15-16 NIV
Sheryl, Niles, MI “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Romans 8:26 NIV84
Tammy, West Point NE
But now, this is what the Lord says,
he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you , O Israel; Fear not, for I have redeemed you
I have summoned you by name; You are mine.
Isaiah 43:1 (NIV)
Kristi Tomlinson, Athens, TX “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1
Cheryl from London, Ontario Canada
From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.
Isa. 64:4 ESV
Romans 8:15 NIV85
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Wendy Couper, Peterborough,ON
“Come close to God and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.James 4:8 NLT
Troy, Ohio
Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably
more than all we ask or imagine, according to his
power that is at work within us, to him be glory
in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen
Cindy
Houston
‘A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.’
Proverbs 15:1 NIV
Judy, Panama City, Fl
PS 43:3 (NIV)
Send forth Your light and Your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to Your holy mountain, to the place where You dwell.
Judy, Goldston NC
But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 NKJV
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying “This is the way – walk in it” Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Melissa, Locust Grove, GA
In him and through him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Ephesians 3:12 NIV 84
Peggy — Yorktown, VA
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name for the Lord is good, his steadfast love endures forever and his faithfulness to all generations. — Ps 100:4-5 NRSV
Teri S. Great Mills, MD
“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
Jan
Hawkinsville, GA
Psalm 103:2 NKJV
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Joanna, Elsmere, KY
The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)
Colossians 3:13-15(NIV ) (cont. from vs 12 from wk 1)
13 Bear with each other & forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on Love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were to Peace. And be Thankful.
Forgot…Melody from Jefferson Ga
Kristin, Broken Arrow OK. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Erica, Huntington, Indiana:
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 (NIV)