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 – 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.) 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
Julie from Queen Creek, AZ
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast Spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (NKJ)
Emily, Wichita
May he grant your hearts desire; may he bring all your plans to pass
Psalms 20:4 net
“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, ‘In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.” Isaiah 30:15 NASB
Gwen King, Waynesboro, MS
Matthew 5:44-45 (NIV)
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
lisa danville, pa. Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my father in heaven .But whoever disowns me before men,I will disown him before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10 32 33 niv
Anne – Otsego, MN
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2 NLT
Jill, Chillicothe, MO
“Commit your way to The Lord; trust in Him.”
Psalm 37:5, NIV
Patrice, Elm Grove, WI
But his answer was: “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.” I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ’s power over me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 Good News Translation
Sarah, Planifield, IN
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 Galatians 5:1 NIV
Allison Perrine, Spokane, WA
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?
Romans 6:1-2 NASB
Linda, Greene, NY
Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives (husbands) and your homes. Nehemiah 4:14b NIV
Sue M
Grand Rapids, MI
“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”
Psalm 34:8 ESV
Lauren Mendoza, Cypress CA
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord” Jeremiah 30:17a (NIV)
Valerie, Louisville KY
My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2 NASB
Cora Lee -Kearney, NE
“For who has know the mind of The Lord, that He should instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corth 2:16 NASB
Cody – Lufkin, TX
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:24 NIV
Ann, Ventura, California
“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.”
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Hanni, Indiana:
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright, he is a shield to those who walk in integrity.
(Prov 2:6-7) ESV
Tammy, Gravette, AR
And The Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your
offspring, so that you will love The Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul, that you may live. Deuteronomy 30:6 ESV
Holly ~ Arab, AL
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 NKJV
Joy, Caldwell, ID
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NLT
Carolyn–Kearney, Nebraska–Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.–Proverbs 11:12 NIV
Amy, Galion, OH
And let us hold onto the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 HCSB
Mallory from Rockingham, NC
“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.” Psalms 5:11 ESV
Heather for Bethanny Connect Group, Raymond, NH
Psalm 30: 11 – 12 (NIV)
“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.”
Heather, Clemmons, NC
…who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:4-5 NIV
Judy Heindl – Cottageville WV
Eph 4:2 KJV
“With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.”
Karen, San Antonio, Texas
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” John 14:1 NLT
I did not receive my email regarding my bible verse. I signed up on the 2nd and did Jeremiah 29:11. I would like to now do 2Corinthians 5:7 We live by faith not by sight. How do I get this entered.
Thank you so much for your help.
Diane K. Walter
Rita – Alva, Florida
“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you………”
Romans 8:11 NLT
20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 NIV
Andalusia, AL
Donna, Alb. “He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last.” (Revelation 1:17 NIV)
Amy, Lakeland, James 1:27
(NIV)
27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Erin, Athens, OH. Psalm 42:11 NKJV: Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.
Lori F in Newnan, GA
“All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.”
Isaiah 54:13 (NIV)
Hayley, Alicante, Spain-
But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you. they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.
1 Peter 3:14-16 NLT
Miranda pearland, tx
Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 HCSB)
Phyllis Twilley, Salisbury, MD
“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!”
Deuteronomy 30:19 NLT
Tessie Watkins. El Dorado Springs, MO. You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NIV
Marcia – Huntsville, AL
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:14 (NIV)
Pat
Valley Center, Ks
“All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Barbara, Celebration, FL, so I replied by sending this message to them: “I’m engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?” Nehemiah 6:3, NLT
Meghan
Austin, TX
John 15:8 (NIV)
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Jenny, Elida, OH “…because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” James 1:3(NIV)
Cindy
Chandler, OK
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
Joany from Salem, Oregon
Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
Search me, O God, and 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.
Amy (and four yr old daughter Ally)
Carthage, MO
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 NIV
Rose Coulter, Orange, TX
“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
Grace, Elida, OH “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12(NIV)
Stephanie Frakes, Abilene, TX
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2, NIV