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
Jennifer, Carson City, NV
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Tim 1:7 NKJV
Heather from Owasso, Ok
“You will keep in him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yahweh, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:3-4 NKJV
Martha, North Dakota
Turn my heart toward your statutes and not towards selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things: preserve my life according to your word.
Psalm 119:36-37 NIV
Jean, Rubicon
James 1:6-11 NIV
But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord: he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.
Psalms 34:8 ESV
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Psalms 55:22 NIV
Tara
Kosciusko, MS
Chris M, Seattle, WA
Philippians 2:14-16a NIV
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.
Janelle from WPB, FL: “Whatever you do, do your work heartily as for the Lord rather than for mean, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of your inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” Colossians 3:23-24 NASB
Joy ~ Spanish Fork Utah
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vein conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Philippians 2:3 NIV
Lisa C, Washington, Indiana,
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Jenny, Des Moines, IA
You crown the year with your bounty and your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NIV
Keelee, Oklahoma
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 NIV
But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgeting what he has heard, but doing it- he will be blessed in what he does.
James 1:25 (NIV)
Linda, Hot Springs AR — “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NIV (Because I am Living Proof!)
Kim Owens from Denver, PA
So then my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20 NKJV
Kacy Desmonds, Ft. Wayne, IN
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. Romans 3:20 NIV
1 Corinthians 13:1
If I speak in the tongues of men or angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cybal.
NIV
Nancy NW Arkansas
Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Heather—Corpus Christi, TX. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27 (NKJV)
Cindy from Cochem, Germany – For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6 (ESV)
Janice – Conroe
The fear of people becomes a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD will be set on high. Prov. 29:25. NET
“Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against you, Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statues.” Psalm 119:11-12 NKJV
“LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.”
Isaiah 25:1 (NIV)
Amber, Clayton NC
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV84
Psalm 5:11-12: But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.12 For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield. Niv
Cindy, Kent, Wa
“All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Kimberly Amarillo, Tx ESV
” My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 76:23
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and have himself for me. Galatians 2:20 ESV
Tam from Walla Walla “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.” Philippians 4:6 NLT
Lyndsey E, Pennsburg, PA:
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31.25 NLT
Sandy, Simi Valley, CA ~ “If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself and your religion is worthless.” James 1:26,NLT
Andrea from Brush Creek, TN: All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace. Is 54:13, NIV
Hannah from New Albany, IN
“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19
Melissa G., Concord, CA
2 Cor. 10:4-5 NIV
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
Becky, Alberta, Canada
The Counselor, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 NIV
Lindsey Buchanan, St. Augustine, FL, “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7 NIV
Marilyn, Amarillo, TX: “Hear, O Israel (Marilyn): The LORD our God, the LORD in one. You sahll lvoe the LORD your God wit hall your heart, and with all of your soul, and with all of your might” (Deuteronomy 6:4,5 ESV).
Kelli, Rochester,MN PSALM 65:11 KJV Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer.”Romans 12:12 HCSB
LoriAngela
Chilliwack, BC, Canada
Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Hebrews 2:18 NRSV
Gail, Cary, NC.
“When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4 (NIV 1984)
Lora
Mooresburg
I John 4:19 Message “We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.”
Elizabeth Drew Midland, MI.
“He feeds on ashes, a deluded heart misleads him; he cannot save himself, or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”
Isaiah 44:20 NIV
Ronnie from Ostrander, Ohio “Though I have much to write you I would rather not use ink and paper. Instead I hope to come to you and talk to you face to face so that our joy may be complete.” ESV 2 John 12
If anyone would come after me, he must
deny himself and he must take up his cross
daily and follow me! Luke 9:23
Mineola, Texas 1-15-13
Jennifer ~ Garland, TX
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV84)
Joelle Abilene,TX
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)
Rube Aguilar from Houston, TX
“Porque Dios es el que produce en ustedes lo mismo el querer cono el hacer, por su buena voluntad.” Filipenses 2:13 (Reina Valera)
Kay from Hermann, MO “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;” 2 Corinthians 4:8, NIV
All your children will be taught by The Lord and great will be their peace. Isaiah 54:13