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
Delayn, MO
All your children shall be tauyght by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:12 ESV
Nicole from Newton, Iowa
Romans 12:2 NASB
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Kim, Colorado
You crown the year with your bounty;
your wagon tracks overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 ESV
Tami KC, MO
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Col 3:15 NIV
Stacey, Albuquerque, NM Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalms 46:10 NKJV
Alaina, Tyler, TX
[Jesus said,] “I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT
Carol Peavy, Jena, LA
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18 NIV
Amanda Cross, Van Buren, AR
“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
Amie, Honolulu, HI: “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving,” Colossians 4:2 NASB
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Mathew 5:43
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13 NIV
Michele Powell, Nampa, ID
Philippians 4:8 NIV
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.
Tanya, Pittsburgh PA
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Romans 8:37 NIV
Kit Frankenfield, Spring Hill, KS
“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.” NKJV
Marsha Bauldry, Knoxville, TN
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them to your foreheads.
Deuteronomy 11:18 (NIV)
Chattanooga, TN
He has shown you, O Mortal, what is good. And, what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8 NIV
Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith; be men of courage, be strong. I Cor 16:13 (NIV)
Dayla Springfield, MO
May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NLT
“All your children will be taught by the LORD, and your children will have unlimited peace.” Isaiah 54:13 GW
Amy, Houston TX:
Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! (Psalm 27:14 ESV)
Maria Connor, Katy, TX
Galatians 5:16 (NIV84)
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Sarah, Manhattan KS. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:3-4 (NIV 1984)
Debbie from Bangor NI “Just because something is technically legal doesn’t mean that it’s spiritually appropriate. If I went around doing whatever I thought I could get by with, I’d be a slave to my whims.” 1 Corinthians 6:12 The Message
Jessica, Northglenn, CO
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)
LaGlace, Alberta, Canada
Jeremiah 12:5
“If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses?
If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?”
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15
Carla from Wesley Chapel, FL: “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:5
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:3, ESV
Jennifer, Cypress, TX
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” -Romans 8:1-2 ESV
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians5:1
Danita, Lake in the Hills, IL
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV
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. For the sake of Christ then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Rebecca, Portland, TX
Victoria M.
Greenbrier AR
Not to us, LORD, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness
Psalm 115:1 NIV
So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.
1 Peter 1:13 NLT
Natalie from Lynchburg, VA
“Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In His presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared Him and always thought about the honor of His name.” (Malachi 3:16 NLT)
Search me, O God, know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139.23-24
Debra
Houston
Ps 121:2-6 ESV
Midland, TX
because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:3 (NIV)
Rachelle from Greer, SC
Romans 8:2 NKJV
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death
“For the angel of the Lord is a GUARD. He SURROUNDS and DEFENDS all who fear Him. TASTE and SEE that the Lord is GOOD. Oh, the JOYS of those who take REFUGE in Him! Fear the Lord, You HIs godly people for those who fear Him WILL have all they need”
Psalm 34 NIV
Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will recceive.
Matthew 21:22 HCSB
Carter from Charlotte, NC
“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” (Ephesians 4:2 NLT)
Cindy
Flemingsburg, KY
Let me again experience the joy of Your deliverance! Sustain me by giving me the desire to obey.
Psalm 51:12 NET
Kathryn, Auburn Hills, MI
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 ESV
Tiffnie Lotts, Houston TX
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:2, 3 NIV
Cheryl ~ Concord, NC
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5.3 ESV
Tish, Renville MN. “Never stop praying” 1 Thes. 5:17, New International Reader’s Version
For God so loved the world he gave his only son, that who ever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV I love this verse it reminds me of what God has done for us, When my uncle was dying I asked him what his favorite verse was and he said John 3 :16 . He was a minister for many years, he loved sharing Christ.
Kim, Cincinnati
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. Ps. 19:1-2
Lauren D., Forney, TX
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6 ESV