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
Tahlequah, OK
Titus 2:12
It teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled upright and godly lives in this present age. (NIV)
Staci, Holland, MI
“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 lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8 NIV
Bethany, Muskegon, MI:
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”
John 15:16 NIV
Heather, Fort Washington, MD
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7 ESV
Tammy, Boiling Springs, NC , Col. 3:17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Col. 3:17 NLT
Mindy, Rowley, IA
James 4:2 “You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.” NKJV
Lisa, Alpharetta, GA
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
Julie, Chicago. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
The Eungard family: Brad, Gwen, Adam, Eleanor, Amelia, and Owen
Schweinfurt, Germany
1 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Kim, Nashville, TN
Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. Psalms 62:8 (NIV)
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” -Isaiah 43:18 (NIV)
Jenna- Omaha, NE
“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.” –Isaiah 26:4 (NIV84)
Melissa from Monett
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thess. 5:16-18
Summer, Midlothian, Luke 1:46,47, 49-53
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy [is] his name. And his mercy [is] on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from [their] seats, and exalted them of low degree.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
Lori
Nashville, TN
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 NIV Proverbs 3:5-6
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Becky
Murfreesboro, TN
Seek the Lord and the strength he gives! Seek his presence continually! (Psalms 105:4 NET)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. For they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6
Nancy, Sanger, TX “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Col2:6-7 (ESV)
Now, Godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6 NKJV
Bronwyn, Maricopa, AZ
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Rev. 4:11 NIV
We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live. Luke 1:74-75
Kortney, Des Plaines, IL
“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”Proverbs 12:18
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
~Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Janet – Columbus, GA:
“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” -Isaiah 43:25, NIV
Jill, Omaha NE
Psalm 16:11
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
11 You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
Cristy Tuttle from Cleveland, TN
You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance
Psalm 65:11 NIV
Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
NIV
Becky from Alabama
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the LORD’s praise, for he has been good to me. Psalm 13:5-6 NIV
Stephanie – San Francisco
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV
Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Toni, Orlando, FL
For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you.
Isaiah 30:19
oops. ESV
Julie Elrod, Smyrna, GA: James 3:3-4 NIV When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
Staci – Fayetteville, NC
“He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” John 8:47 (NIV)
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 hope and a future.
Amanda from North Augusta, SC…”Trust in Him at all times, O People; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” (NIV)
“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB
Tonya from Houston 🙂
And whatever you ask in prayer you will receive, if you have faith.
Matthew 21:22
ESV
Amelia Maijala
White Bear Lake, MN
Angie Baylis
Clarkston, Michigan
“for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Phil 2:13) NIV
Sara from Louisiana
Hosea 10:12 (NIV)
Sow righteousness for yourselves, 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 His righteousness on you.
Jamie ~ Mobile, AL ~ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 NIV
Ginger
East Peoria,Il
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
II Timothy 3:16 NKJ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, throughly equipped for every good work.
“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14 ESV)
Meghan, Niles, MI
Andrea, Fresno, CA. “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Pslam 37:4. ESV
Nell George, Gallatin, TN
ESV Romans 3:23, 5:8
(3:23) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…(5:8) but God shows his love
for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
John 15:8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples.
Megan JOY Burdzy – Calgary Alberta, Canada – Direct my footsteps/thoughts according to Your word; let no sin rule over me. – Psalm 119:133 (NIV)
Jana~Benton, ME
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the riteousness God desires.
James 1: 19-20 (NLT)
Mendy, South Charleston WV
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 NIV