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
Nancy,Rhinelander,Wi Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Kim, Osler
NLT Jeremiah 17: 7&8
But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. 8 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green and they never stop bearing fruit.
Kathleen, Georgetown
1 Timothy 4:8 NIV84
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Jada,Chattanooga,TN
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you,declares the Lord plans to prosper you and not to harm you,plans to give you hope and a future.
(Late posting for 1/1 verse)
Carrie Libby, MT
I am the vine and you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 NIV
John I 4:19 We love because he first loved us.
Rebecca, Greenville, SC
Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, LORD, are good.
Psalm 25:7 NIV
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2 ESV
Landry, Georgetown
Romans 8:28, NIV
“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.”
Jeanette, Mansfield
Do not let kindness & truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 3:3, NASB
Knoxville, Iowa
“In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:4-5
ESV
Jody Emmons
Chesterfield, IL
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
Shannon, Mandeville, LA, “He will not let your foot slip–he who watches over you will not slumber; Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep”. Ps. 121:3-4, TNIV
Laura, Ada, OK, When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. John 15:8 NLT
Hope – Elgin, TX
Luke 2:52 (NIV) “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
My theme verse for homeschooling this year! 🙂
Lori — Waxhaw, NC
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 minds in Christ Jesus — Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV, 1984)
Brittany from Burlington, NC
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Marie from Post Falls, Idaho –
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
– Deuteronomy 31:6, NKJV
Megan, Fairmont, WV
7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.
Philippians 3:7-9 NLT
Jessica from Bryant Arkansas
New Living Translation (NLT)
1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1
Paula, Russell KY. “Then Rebekah said to Isaac, I’m sick and tired of these local Hittite women! I would rather die than see Jacob marry one of them.” Gen 27:46 NLT *this may seem like a bizarre choice, but God used this to speak to me about manipulation and I want to remember what He said!
Connor, Madrid, Spain
Romans 2:5 NIV
but because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgement will be revealed.
Donna D, Sarnia, ON Canada
“But God made the earth by His power;
He founded the world by His wisdom
and stretched out the heavens by His understanding.
When He thunders the waters in the heaven roar;
He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth.
He sends lightening with the rain.”
Jerm 10:12-13 NIV
Janna – GTA, Ontario
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Gal 5:22-25, NLT
Ann from Glenrock, Wyoming
So even to my old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
till I proclaim thy might
to all the generations to come.
Ps. 71:18 RSV
Terri, Pleasant Hope, MO
For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:5-6 NIV84
Tina, Alabama. John 8:36 NLT. So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free.
Jan, Littleton
“Let your hope make you glad, be patient in time of trouble, and never stop praying.” -Romans 12:12 (CEV)
Stephanie, La Habra, CA “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery brothers so that you may not be conceited; Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.” Rom 11:25 NIV
Karen, Charlotte, NC
Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit – you choose. Proverbs 18:21 MSG
Ellie, Fairfax, VA
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
Brittney Thomas, Lexington KY
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
Romans 8:18 (NASB)
Becky, Morganton, NC
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Jennifer From Dallas,Texas: “For the mind set on the flesh is death,but the mind set on the spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6 NASB
Sara Springfield MO
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:16 NIV
Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22 NIV
Carolee, Corona, CA
Isaiah 26:3-4 You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. ESV
Brandy H, Kingwood, TX
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from The Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
James 1:5-8 ESV
Leah Bush
Driftwood, TX
“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Proverbs 12:18 – NIV
Sarah, Trumam MN
“Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.” Psalm 43:3 NIV
Hayley Wiggins, Dallas, Texas
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
Jenny Noblesville, IN
Be joyful 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
Destinee, Birmingham, AL
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
Columbia, SC
NIV
All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace.
Isaiah 54;13
linda, colorado springs
be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 corinthians 16:13 (niv)
Stann, Frisco, TX
Colossians 3:12-13 (NASB)
So as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Merry Portland, Oregon
“In my distress I called upon The Lord, and cried out to my God;
He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him,
even to His ears” Psalms 18:6 NKJV
Melissa, San Antonio. “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty {Whose power no foe can withstand]. Psalm 91:1 Amplified Bible
Hudson, NC. The Lord nurses them when they are sick
and restores them to health. Psalm, 41:3 (NLT)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NIV