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
Diane Hung Cedar Rapids, Iowa. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Hebrews 12 v11. NASB. Discipline me Lord.
Stefanie, Moses Lake, WA – Isaiah 54:13 ESV
All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
and great shall be the peace of your children.
Cindy, York, PA
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. ~ Romans 8:28 NLT
Patti, Austin TX
Exodus 14:14 NIV
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Charlotte, NC
Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you; when you walk through the fire it will not burn you, the flames will not set you ablaze.
TNIV
Lori, Owasso, OK
1 Corinthians 10:23
New Living Translation (NLT)
23 You say, “I am allowed to do anything”[a]—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial.
Philippians 4:6
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, & thank him for all he has done. (NLT)
Amanda from Huntington, WV
Cindy – Puyallup, WA
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.
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Kelly Eitzen in Tigard, OR
“So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in Your strength and glory. In Your generous love I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains. I bless You every time I take a breath; My arms wave like banners of praise to You.”
Psalm 63:2-4 MSG
Brenda in Beaverton, Oregon…
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Romans 8:16 (NIV)
Misti Wolfe, Carthage, TX
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”
Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)
Ellen K., Stoughton, MA
All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. (Isaiah 54:13 ESV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22, 23 ESV)
Gloria in Houston saya:
You have been regenerated not from a mortal origin, but from one that is immortal by the ever-living and lasting Word of God.
For all flesh is like the flower of the grass. The grass withers and the flower drops off.
1 Peter 1:23-24 (The Amplified Bible)
Jan, Lethbridge, AB
Do not do wrong to repay a wrong, and do not insult to repay an insult. But repay with a blessing, because you yourselves were called to do this so that you might receive a blessing.
1 Peter 3:9 EXB
Cherie, Pocatello, ID. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23, NRSV).
Carolyn, Rocksprings, TX – I Peter 1: 8-9
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Charlene
Norcross, GA
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have receieved the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father Romans 8:15 JKV
Stephanie, Ontario, Canada
Psalm 44:5
Only by Your power can we push back our enemies;
only in Your name can we trample our foes.
Dianne Walters – Hartselle, AL
When the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes on the vines; when the olive trees do not produce, and the fields yield no crops; when the sheep disappear from the pen, and there are no cattle in the stalls, I will rejoice because of the LORD; I will be happy because of the God who delivers me! The sovereign LORD is my source of strength. He give me the agility of a deer; he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NET)
Brandy, San Angelo, TX
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Angela; Covington, GA
“Like a flitting sparrow or a fluttering swallow, an undeserved curse goes nowhere.”
Proverbs 26:2 HCSB
Christine, Stephens City, This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 NKJV
Kelly, Centralia, WA- Psalm 103:1 “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name.”
Circleville. Ohio
For without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Isaiah 55:9 NLT
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
Sally Fountain
Douglasville, GA
Renee from Rural Hall, NC
“The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will extol Him.” Exodus 15:2 NASB
Christine Krueger, SLC
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
Jn 15:10, ESV
My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
Psalm 104:34 (KJV)
Maria
Whitmire, SC
Cara
OKC, OK
“From the ends of the earth,I cry to you for help
when my heart is overwhelmed.
Lead me to the towering rock of safety,for you are my safe refuge,a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.”
Psalm 61:2-3
Kristen, Moose Factory, Ontario
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 NIV
…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. Phil.4:8 NIV Susan from Winston-Salem,NC
Temple, TX
“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.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
Katy, Ann Arbor, Michigan–Phillipians 4:6-7 from The Message
“Celebrate God all day, every day. Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”
Kathy, Austin TX
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 said to you. John 14:26 NASB
Andrea Miller, Massillon, Ohio Jeremiah 29: 12-14a NIV
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord”
Heather from Milton, GA:
Romans 15:13 TNIV
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.
Amber
La Junta,Colorado
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Jenna Lupo: Huntsville, AL
“She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”
Proverbs 31:25 (NLT)
Angela, Denver, CO
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. Se we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary and what is unseen is eternal”
2 Corinthians 4: 16-18. NIV
Eva, Knoxville,TN – (cont.) because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverence. James1:3(NIV)
Christy, Walling, TN
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Phillipians 4:8, ESV
Shannon, Johnstown, NY
“My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.”
Psalm 62:7 NLT
Ashley Fisher- Marysville Oh- Isaiah 61:1-ESV
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, For He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted. To proclaim liberty to the captives. And the opening of the prison to those who are bound.
Marki Geyer ~ Fairbanks, AK ~ Ephesians 4:29 ~ NIV
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up others according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Kristen Lester
Fairfax, VA
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 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. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7 NIV 1984
Sharon Lee, Riverside, Ca.
But where can wisdom be found? Where does
understanding dwell? Job 28:12 NIV
And he said to man, “The fear of the Lord-that
is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”
Job 28:28 NIV
Mary Lou, Franktown, VA (Might have said Nassawadox, VA last time – PO box is in Nassawadox; home is in Franktown.)
I Timothy 6:6-7 (NIV)
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
Dawn, Airdrie Alberta Canada
Ruth 1:16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” NIV
Psalm 65:11 You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance. NKJ My prayer for my family, myself that we travel only in His paths.
Lisa. Greensburg,PA
“Thou, O Lord, do not withhold Thy tender care for me; Thy unfailing love and truth forever guard me.”
Psalm 40:11 (NEB)