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
Jaime ~ Wilson, NC
Luke 1:45(NLT)
You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said!
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Beth, Louisville. 1Corinthians 13:2 nkjv
and though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing,
Corinthians 3:18 (niv84), “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit”
oops it’s 2 corinthians 3:18 (niv84)
April Lopez, BonneyLake,Wa
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:29 NIV
Emmilianna Ferreria, BonneyLake,Wa
For God so loved the world, that he have his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 KJV
Elizabeth Scheller
Morehead City NC
“But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33 NKJ
Colleen, Frisco, TX
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
Matthew 7:24, NIV
Vicki Bolton, Lubbock, Texas– My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples. John 15:8 HCSB
Sylvia, Georgetown TX
Rom 15:13 NIV
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Tina, Columbus Ohio,
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Psalm 9:9 NIV
Corpus Christi, Texas
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles,
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
NIV
Dede, Boynton Beach
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
“look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was but one, and I blessed him and made him many. The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden and her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sounds of singing. Listen to me my people, hear me my nation; The law will go out from me; my justice will become a light for the nations. My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations.The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm. Is. 51:2-5 NIV
January 15, 2013
Leah Barbee
Irwinton, Ga
1 Timothy 4:8
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.
Cindy – Richmond, VA
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:12 ESV
Christy Pond, Conifer, Colorado
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
I Corinthians 13:1-3 NIV 1984
Kimberly, Fresno, Ca
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Susan Marie from Houston, TX
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:27 NKJV
Janet from St. Louis
“then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in Spirit and purpose.” Phil 2:2 (NIV)
Lori, Syracuse
Zep 3:17 NIV
Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
Shera Jenkins. Lynchburg, Va.
Many are the plans in (my) heart, but it is the Lords purpose that prevails. NIV. emphasis mine
Heidi from Nampa, Idaho
Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Sherri Stadtler
Spotsylvania,VA
“By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love,joy, peace,patience, kindness,generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. There is no law against such things” Galatians 5:22 NRSV
Becky Jo; Chesterfield, MI
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and if one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James 2:14-17 ESV (on my trek to memorize all of James)
Missie, Marble Falls. “Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord you God, for he has given the early rain for your vindication; he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the latter rain, as before.” Joel 2:23 ESV
Deb, Windsor, CT:
“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.” – Nahum 1:7, NIV
Cecilia, Raleigh, North Carolina. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death”. Romans 8:1-2, NIV
Kathy, Shattuck, OK
Psalm 139:2 (NIV)
“You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.”
Elaine Brady, Jefferson, GA
By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith, he still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Heb 11:4-6 NIV
Jeannine Hale – Eagan, Minnesota
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 (NIV
Joey Lynn Watt, Las Vegas, Nevada.
John 8:31-32 (NIV)
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you really are My disciples.
32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Traci, Colonial Heights, VA
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ~1Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
Laura, Houston: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee.”
Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)
Gainesville GA
Psalm 37:4-6. NIV translation
4 Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to The Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Mindy – McDonough, GA
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Roni – Demopolis, Alabama
“The Lord is a good stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him”. Nahum 1:7 NASB
Lauren from Magee, MS: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” ~Matt. 11:28-30 (Msg)
Summer C, Fuquay Varina, NC
James 4:8 NIV – Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
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)
Psalm 71:3,4 NIV
Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go;
Give the command to save me, for you are my rock and
fortress.
Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
From the grasp of those who are evil and cruel
Brittnie Blackburn, Sugar Land, Texas
“The Lords unfailing love and mercy still continue, fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise.” Lamentations 3:22-23 GNB
I tell you, you can pray for anything and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.
Mark 11/24
Proverbs 1:33 NLT
But all who listen to me will live in peace,
untroubled by fear of harm.
“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his footsteps.” 1 Peter 2:21
Kathy – Epsom, NH Daniel 4:2 “It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the most High God has performed for me.” NIV
Bombey, Bellaire TX
“He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness,something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go will with you.” Deut 8:16 NIV
Christine McClung in Columbus,GA
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deu. 6:5-9
Bonnie Wallace, Charleston SC
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Mark 11:24 (NIV84)
Jill, Export Pennsylvania
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Do you not know that your bodies are temples 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 bodies.
I Cor. 6:19-20 (NIV)