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
Ashlie McDonald from Salt Lake City, UT
“I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2 ESV
Shannon P., Ladera Ranch, CA: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” –Matthew 5:3, NASB
Jessie
Grayson, Ky
Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. KJV
Monika
Shamong, NJ
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Phil 4:6 ESV
Karen from Houston, Texas
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 (NIV84)
Nan Greenville, SC “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vine,
though the olive crop fails, and the fields produce no food, 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. The Sovereign Lord is my strength.” Habakkuk 3:17 – 19a
Kimberly Montezuma, IN
John 14:6 “Jesus answered, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ NIV
Janice Springville,AL
The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18 HCSB
Lindsay, Ellsworth, ME
I forgot to add my reference and translation to my verse. I’m so sorry!
Here it is:
Ezekiel 37:4-6 NIV
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, “Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath, enter you, and you will come to life.
Ami Loizides Pruett, Waynesville NC
The man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence indeed is the Lord, is blessed. – Jeremiah 17:7 (HCSB)
Elizabeth, Novato, CA
John 15:11
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
Missy, N. Myrtle Beach, SC Psalm 65:11 ESV: “You crown the year with Your bounty; Your wagon tracks overflow with Abundance”
Overland Park, KS
Everything is possible for him who believes.
Mark 9:23 NIV
Jodi from Tyler, TX and 6 co-workers
But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Deuteronomy 4:29 (multiple translations but this one is ESV)
Joanne from Bremerton, WA
Rejoice always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Linda from Mandeville, LA
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” Romans 12:6 NIV
Nayo from Evanston, IL
For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
Colossians 1:16 NIV84
Mariposa Sivage, Albuquerque NM
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
Prob. 31 27-28
Melissa- Greensburg, KY. —
“Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.” – Psalm 105:4, NAS
Myriam from New York
Regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David
and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 1:2-4 NIV
Christine, Leawood
I love You fervently and devotedly, O Lord, my Strength. The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower. Psalm 18:1-2, Amplified
Ashley, from Allen Colossians 3:16 (NIV) “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
Psalms 4:8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone oh Lord, made me dwell in safety. ESV
J.J. Ehr, Longmont, CO.
James 5:15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. NIV
Soni – Gulfport, MS Romans 14:17 RSV “For the kingdom of God is not food or dirnk but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28 NASB)
donna huneycutt, mt. pleasant nc
For they are not meaningless words to you but they are your life, and by them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.
Deuteronomy 32:47 HCSB
Certainly O Lord, you are kind and forgiving,
and show great faithfulness to all who cry out to you. Ps. 86:5 NET
Janie ~Warner Robins, GA
Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.
PS 96:3-4 NKJV
Fran
Corryton, TN
Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness. Psalm 65:11 (KJV)
Marty Stringer from Daphne, AL
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 ESV
Trying again, posted under verse 1 by accident.
Lisa Mobley, San Antonio, TX
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7
Mary Rantala, Duluth, MN
I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. Ezekiel 34:26b (NIV)
1 Corinthians 14:33
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
33 for God is not a God of confusion but of [a]peace, as in all the churches of the saints
Jess R, Katy, Tx
And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth. -2 Timothy 2:24-25 NKJV
Jolie, Cottage Grove, MN
Hebrews 12:1-2a HCSB
Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith…
Rachel from Thousand Oaks, CA.
“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, my hope is in Him.” Psalms 62:5 (NLT)
cori, west palm beach, fl
psalm 18:28 NIV – you Lord keep my lamp burning, my God turns my darkness into light.
Gilbertsville, KY
Proverbs 29:25 NIV
Fear of man will prove to be a snare,but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
Stacey in Omaha, NE
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 NIV
Emily (age 12)
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”
Psalm 46:10 NLT
Ally (age 10)
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NIV
Tami from Texas:
James 1:19
Understand this my dear brothers and sisters: You must be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
Sheena Wood from Jefferson OH, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you Lord, teach me your decrees.”
Psalm 119:11-12 NIV
Natalie Gibbs, Perry, Ga: “Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Col. 3:12, NIV
Dana, Ashland, KY “All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Olivia from Madison, MS-
In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37 NLT
Debra, San Antonio, TX. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1&2. NIV…..Perseverance/Endurance: Inner strength to withstand stress in order to accomplish God’s BEST!
Carla, LaFayette,Al.
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2 (New Living)
Chesterland, OH
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
Cheryl in Fairhope, “The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” (Psalm 29:11 NIV)