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
Cheryl, Austin, Tx
Psalm 32:8 NIV
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
Jen, Clovis, CA
Psalm 145:17-19 (NIV)
“The LORD is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all He has made. The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.”
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 every situation 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 minds in Christ Jesus. (ESV) Philipians 4:4-7
Philippians 2;3, HCSB
“Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.”
Ronda from Murfreesboro, TN
“Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.”
Philippians 2;3( HCSB)
The Lord is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation.
Exodus 15:2 NIV
Julia; Ft Worth, Texas
Matthew 5:4 (NKJV)
“Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted”
Ps. 62:6 He only is my rock and my salvation my strong called I shall not be shaken. NASB
Cindy from Uvalde, TX
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you, Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” John 15:7, 8 KJV
Hi, my name is Cammie Sancheti from Atlanta, Georgia. I missed uploading my verse on the 1st, so I am including two verses here (the one I just memorized as well as my second verse that I will begin working on today):
“The Lord has established His throne in the heavens and His sovereignty rules over all.” – Psalm 103:19 (New American Standard Bible)
“The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” – Proverbs 20:24 (New Living Translation)
Thanks for challenging us to memorize these Scriptures in 2013! God Bless!
Gina from Moody, AL
Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance.
Isaiah 61;7a NIV
Tracey Moyers from Loganville, GA
“Tho wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusth in thee”
Isaiah 26:3 KJV
Cindy, Surrey, BC
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13 ESV)
Lisa, Fredericktown
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
Psalm 25:16
Monica, Springboro
For it is you who blesses a rightious man, Oh LORD, you surround him with favor as a shield.
Psalm 5:12, NASB
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…to him be glory…for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Kathleen- Dahlonega, Ga
“May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”2 Thessalonians 2: 16-17
Jenn, Cumming, GA: Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NIV
Regina, Salado,TX
Hebrews 10:23 – “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”
Donna, Pike Road, Alabama
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Jessica from Omaha, NE
Philippians 2:3-4 NIV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.
Barbara Severns, Boise, Idaho
Therefore, I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you. Mark 11:24 NASB
Liz from Chesapeake Beach, MD
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Mark 11: 25 NIV
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
3 John 1:4 NIV
Amy in Indiana
“I have no greater job than to hear that my chlidren are walking in the truth.”
3 John 1:4 NIV
Beth R
Liberty Lake, WA
TNIV
Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters when you face trials of many kinds,
Lisa V, Washington, NJ
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NASB
Patty Pierce
Searcy AR
Psalm 86:11-12 NIV
Teach me your way o,Lord and I will walk in your truth
Give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name
I will praise you o Lord my God with all my heart
I will glorify your name forever
Joy from JBER, Alaska
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Jenna, Morro Bay, CA
“He was oppressed, and He was afflicted yet he opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its sheared is silent, so He opened not His mouth.” Isaiah 53:7
…ESV
Val, Ann Arbor, MI
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Lauren from Kigali, Rwanda “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty One Who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)
Stephanie, Canton, GA. God is my Refuge and Strength, a very present and well proved help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (AMP)
From Mountain Home, AR
Revelation 17:14 NIV
“They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings — and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers.”
Christy; Nappanee, IN
“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, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Phil4:6 NKJV
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
Lisa Stimpson Munford,Tn.
Do all things without complaining and disputing that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. NKJV. Phill. 2:14-16
Jennifer
Lancaster, Pa
Micah 7:7 NIV
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord
I wait for God my Savior, my God will hear me.
Sherry from Morgantown
Psalm 91:11
For He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
NIV
Laurie, Chester, Maryland
John 15:8 NIV
“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
Kristie, Normal,Il:
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky (Philippians 2:14, 15 NIV)
Tricia from Indianapolis, IN
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Cor 5:17
Becky, Whitehall, WI, “My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up.” Psalm 5:3 NKJ
Katie Euken, Muscatine, IA
No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 HCSB
Amy, Greenfield, IN
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you. Proverbs 9:10&11 (KNJV)
Kristi from Bogota, Colombia. The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, (Isaiah 61:1 NIV)
Cher Goeder, Toledo, OH – Then, we Your people, the sheep of Your pasture, will praise You forever; from generation to generation we will recount Your praise.” Psalm 79:13 NIV1984
Felicia –
I am The Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea. Isaiah 18:17-18 (NIV84)
Jennifer, Wylie Matthew 6:33 (MSG)
“Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.”
Holly from Pratt, KS
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10 NIV)
Sharon B, Hallsville, TX
But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception. (Hebrews 3:13 HCSB)
Ti-Leigh
Orlando, Fl
Luke 22:32 ESV
“but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.
And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”