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
But you, O Lord, are a shield around me. You are my glory, the one who holds my head high. Psalm 3:3
Rene Davis Morrison, Co. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders; his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures through all generations. Daniel 3:100 NAB
Jessica from Cochranville, PA
“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8 NIV
Sue from Chadron, Nebraska
“In your anger, do not sin”; Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV84
Jennifer
Nixa, MO
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
~Galations 6:9
MiChal in College Station, TX
“Then Jesus came up, touched them, and said, ‘GET UP and DON’T BE AFRAID.’ ”
Matthew 17:7 HCSB (emphasis mine)
Jane, Port Orchard, WA
Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
Galations 5:26, NASB
Stephanie, Hockessin, DE
“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19 NKJV
Kathy Hazlehurst,Ms
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
For I know the plans I have for you declares the LORD,
plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you
a hope and a future.
Kim, Corning, NY
“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…” (Colossians 1:10 NIV).
When you corrected me, it did me good because it taught me to study your laws. I would rather obey you than to have a thousand pieces of silver and gold. Psalm 119:71-72 CEV
Janice, Harrison, AR
” I know that you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ” Job 42:2 ESV
Pam Altice, DeLeon Springs, Florida
Then the Lord said to me, “You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north.”
Deuteronomy 2:2-3 (NIV)
Sarah from Pueblo West, CO
Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.
2 Corinthians 8:11
NIV
ValerieGail, Fultondale, AL
 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.” Jeremiah 17:7 NIV
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great love for us has brought us to a new birth.” 1 Peter 1:3 (New American)
Gina Neamtu, Red Deer, AB
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.
Psalm 16:11 (NLT)
tammy, hayden idaho
but if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. such wisdom does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. for where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. james 3:14-16 NIV
Janet from Enid, OK
Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 NASB
Amy, Snellville, GA
John 15:8 (NASB)
“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”
Nicole T, Blue Springs, MO
Proverbs 25:16 (NIV)
If you find honey, eat just enough- too much of it, and you will vomit.
Lila from Salem,OR
“They will not work in vain,and their children will not be doomed to misfortune. For they are people blessed by the Lord, and their children, too, will be blessed.” Isaiah 65:23 NLT
Dana, Shawnee, KS, James 1:19-20 NIV, My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
Cari, Alexandria, LA
They have no wine.
John 2: 3 DRA
Ashley, Gillette, Wy
“For I know the plans o have for you, declares The Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ” Jeremiah 29:11
Lauren, Dedham, MA: “In you, LORD my God, I put my trust.” Psalm 25:1 (NIV)
Leslie England, Greenville, KY. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters,in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrafice, holy and pleasing to God. This is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1 NIV
Beth, Fountain Inn, Psalm 16:2 ESV
I say to the LORD You are my LORD. I have no good apart from You.
Jessica from College Station, Texas
“But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.
Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I SHALL RISE; when I sit in darkness, the LORD WILL BE A LIGHT TO ME.”
-Micah 7:7-8 ESV
Jennifer, Edmond, OK
…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Eph. 3:17-19
Kathy from Fishers,
. . . though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Habakkuk 3:17b-18 NIV
For I am sure neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8: 38 -39 ESV
Jennifer, North Charleston, SC:
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 entrust my life.
Psalm 143:8, NIV
Jordan, Raleigh, NC
“In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.”
Proverbs 16:9
Laura from Houston, Texas
“Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Julie, Texarkana,TX- “I waited patiently for The Lord. He inclined to me and heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1 ESV
Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. Psalm 77:13-14 (NIV)
Jody, Evansville, IN
“If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace.” NLT Romans 8:6
Cathi, North Canton
Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP
LaVonne, Peachtree City, GA
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV84
Debbie from Universal City, TX. “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” 1 John 4:15 NKJV
Tammie in Ferris, TX
“O God, You are my God; earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh faints for You, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1 ESV
For you were once darkness but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. Ephesians 5/8
Tampa, Fl
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20 NLT)
Julie from Fort Lauderdale, FL
This is my command-be strong and courageous! do not be afraid or discouraged. for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go!
joshua 1:9 NLT
Alicia from Gulfport, MS
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. (Psalms 139:2 NIV84)
(I’m memorizing all of Psalm 139!)
Bethany, Riley, IN
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.
Philippeans 4:8
Terri
Senoia,GA
“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, NKJV
Set a guard over my mouth O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3 NIV
Martha, Clearwater,FL
“Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes comes in.”
James 2:2 NIV
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 NIV
Phil 4:5-6 NIV
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Ashley from McPherson, KS