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
Becky, Clemmons NC
His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” -John 3:2 (NASB)
Laurel, Augusta, GA
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Phil. 2:3-4 (NIV)
Sherrese from Fairmount Heights Maryland, Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,” so that we confidently say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?” Hebrews 13:5-6, NAS
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
I Corinthians 15:22 KJV
Corinne in Chehalis, Washington
Kay, Longmont,CO
Psalm 62:5,6 NKJ My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense;I shall not be moved.
Starla from Austin, Texas
“The Lord your God is in your midst; he is a warrior who can deliver. He takes great delight in you; he renews you by his love; he shouts for joy over you.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NET)
Sacha-Nashville, TN
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
Valerie, Loveland, OH
“Because he loves me,” Says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble
I will deliver him and honor him;
With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation.
Psalms 91:14-16 NIV
Connie from Friona, Texas
I will say of the Lord,’He is my refuge and my fortress;my God, in Him I will trust.’ Ps.91:2 NKJV
Leesburg, VA
“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.”
James 1:26 NIV
Winnipeg, MB
Habakuk 3:18-19
(I memorized verse 17 the last 2 weeks, this is a continuation of that passage)
yet I will triumph in Yahweh;
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!
Yahweh my Lord is my strength;
He makes my feet like those of a deer
and enables me to walk on mountain heights!
Sorry – HCSB
I LOVE this passage! He really does enable us to climb higher and higher. Hinds’ Feet in High Places is an all time favorite book based on these verses. If you haven’t read it yet, you simply must!
Jones Creek,Texas
Trust in the Lord with all your Heart…
Proverbs 3:5
Jessica, Grapevine Texas. “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5, NKJV
And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6:9 KJV
Yanna Westmoreland, Bryan, Tx “You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.” Psalms 139:2 ESV
Brenda San Antonio, TX:
You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11 (NIV)
Andrews, NC –
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Eph 4:31-32 NIV
Kim Austin, Texas
I can everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NIV 1984
Tiffany, Chester, VA:
And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law’s demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith. Philippians 3:9, AMP
Molly-Macon, GA
“But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God-and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-that, as it is written, “He who glories, let Him glory in The Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:30,31 NKJV
Pam, Holland, MI
Psalm 46:11 KJV
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
[sorry Ps 46:1 (not 11]
Lisa Reed, Prattville, AL, “You,Lord, give perfect peace to those sho keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 TEV
Brittany from Stephenville, TX
But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV)
Donna, Loganville, PA
James 3:17-18 ESV
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Candias in Highland, CA…NIV 1 Corinthians 2:9 However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”
Suzy Adams, Wheelersburg. OH “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” Psalma 16:6 NIV
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Rebecca
Abilene, TX
Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:6 NLT
Donna; Springfield, MO
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
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.
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
“Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed out the mountains and the hills?” Isaiah 40:12 NLT
Joy – Georgetown, TX – Hosea 10:12 NIV Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until He comes and showers righteousness on you.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
Barbara, Dayton, Ohio
Romans 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Kasey, McAllen Texas: My prayer is not that You would take them out of this world but that You would protect from the evil one. John 17:15 NIV
Kristin K. North Augusta, SC. “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18-20 NIV84)
Jean from Asheville, North Carolina
Be thou believers as examples in speech, and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. I Tim. 4:12 NRSV
Rachel, Parker, CO
James 1:2-4 NIV 2010
Consider if pure joy my brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perserverance. Let perserverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything.
Shelli, Karalee, and Katelyn, Royse City, TX: “All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” ESV
Kelly Snodgrass~ Rogersville, TN
Psalm 27.4 NIV84
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Psalms 103:2 KJV
Nikki – Kennesaw, GA
Angela (mom), kaitlyn (11), Hannah (9), Chattanoog, TN
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of th wicked nor stand in the way of sinners nor sit in the seat of scoffers but his delight is on the law of The Lord and on it he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1, esv
Jo
Fremont, CA
“But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”
2 Tim 4:5 NIV
Hayley Huggins, College Station, TX
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 (NKJV)
Heather S. Louisville, Ky.
Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened and I will cause you to rest. (I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.). Matthew 11:28 Amplified
Jane, Houston, Texas
“In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
Psalm 56:11 (NASB)
Pam
Houston, TX
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:22 NIV
Kathy, Jay, OK
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.
James 1:6 NIV84
Lori from Atlanta, Georgia
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 ESV)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
Rachael Clark, Jersey Shore, PA
2 Cor 12:9-10 (NIV)
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”