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
Lynn, Boynton Beach Pr 11:11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.
Leigh, Montgomery, Alabama: Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3 NIV
K-Mac, Cypress
“For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.” Eph 1:4 (HCSB) CHOSEN!
Amber; Gainesville, GA:
“But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine.”
-Psalms 33:18-19, NLT
Denise, Ocean Springs
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8 (NIV)
Carrie H, San Angelo, “My father is honored by this, that you bear much fruit and show that you are my disciples.” John 15:8 NET
Connie Willis, Knoxville,TN
So I have looked upon You in the sanctuary,
beholding Your power and glory.
Because Your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
Psalm 63:2-3 ESV
Psalm 65;3
When we were overwhelmed by sins; you forgave our transgressions. NIV
Erin- Clinton, Mississippi
Romans 8:3-4
“For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
Phyllis, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
John 14:27 NIV
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.
(Beth, thank you for explaining the word “peace”, it gives my verse so much more meaning, love Phyllis)
Repent then and turn to God, so that your sins can be wiped out, so times of refreshing come from The Lord!
Acts 3:19
Bethany Niles MI- “Do not conform any longer 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)
Rosemary-Castle Pines, Co NIV
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest
Matthew 11:28
Carrie, Wentzville, Mo.
Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. 2 Timothy 2:22 NLT
“Everything is possible for him who believes.” – Mark 9:23 NIV
May all you lovely ladies have a blessed week!
christine
EX 33:14
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.
Colossians 1:15
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”
Karla, Maumee OH
Jennifer, Georgetown, TX: I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13 NIV
Monica, Bentonia, MS “All your chldren will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.” Isaiah 54:13, NIV.
Lizzie Smiley, San Antonio, TX Siestas! “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 NKJV)
Julie from Texas
Depend on the Lord for strength.
Always go to him for help.
1 Chronicles 16:11
ERV
John 14:26 ESV
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 that I have said to you.
Kim Burk, Thatcher, AZ
See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Isa 43:19(NIV)
stacie peterson, sioux falls, sd
Luke 10:41,42 NIV
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Jane – Northfield, MN “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is the Rock eternal” Isaiah 26:3-4
Lisa, Tunkhannock, PA All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Kerri, Friendswood, Tx: “All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.” Isaiah 61:3b NIV
Lynn, Lafayette “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches inChrist Jesus”. NIV
I really am needing this one!!;)
Michele, Cumming Georgia
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
Romans 12:17 NIV
from Stanley
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.Psalm 121:2 (HCSB)
“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” – Psalm 188:8 NIV
For confidence in God’s plans for each of us.
Rachel D., Meridian, “So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. But we will be shipwrecked on an island.” Acts 27:25, 26 (NLT)
Debbie Z
Vancouver WA
You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.
Psalm 65:11 NIV
But, as it is written, ‘what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.’
-1 Corinthians 2:9 (ESV)
Lindsey from Tucson, Arizona
“Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,for in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,for I lift up my soul to You.” Psalm 143:8 NKJV
Vasthie, Orlando, FL
The Lord your God is in you midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over your with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you will loud singing
-Zephaniah 3:17
*your, *with
I raise my eyes towards the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 HCSB
Kelly
Fowler, CA
Jesus replied, ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”
Matthew 22:37-38
NIV
Vicki, from Colleyville TX, ~
“I will answer them before they even call to me.
While they are still talking about their needs,
I will go ahead and answer their prayers!” ~ Isaiah 65:24 NLT
Johnnie, Hammond, LA. ” All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.”. Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Desiree from Calgary, Alberta
Hebrews 4:12 ESV
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Bonnie, Alexandria, LA
“Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5 NLT
Emily, Thibodaux, LA
“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you from the evil one.” (2 Thes 3:3 ESV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV
Melissa, Columbus, OH
2 Cor. 12:10 ESV For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Deidre, Hickory, NC
“Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Galatians 6:9 KJV
Heidi – Littleton, CO
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Wendy P., Cary NC
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isaiah 40:28-29, NIV ’84)
Attica, MI
Hebrews 6:19 ESV
“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.”
katie g; Knoxville, TN
“Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that.” Philippians 3:16 Amplified Version
“but to what we have come — by the same rule walk, the same thing think;” Philippians 3:16 Young’s Literal Translation