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
Elizabeth, Greenbrier, Ark.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:1 (NKJV)
Natalie, in Canton, Georgia
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NIV)
Teresa, Peoria, IL Hebrews 1:3, NIV: The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven
Jaclyn W, Tacoma WA
“Delight yourself in The Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to The Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before The Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”
Psalm 37:4-7 NIV
Faith, Katy TX
Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
Exodus 20:12 NIV
Jennifer Janes – Texarkana, AR
“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
Mark 9:23 NLT
Donna from Chesapeake, VA
2 Peter 1:3
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.
Lisa in El Dorado, AR
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how
can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they
hear about him unless someone tells them? (Romans 10:14 NLT)
Rachel, Arlington,
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. (Deuteronomy 6:7 ESV)
Rebecca Benston, Springfield, OH. My verse this week is Psalm 120:1, NKJV.
“In my distress I cried to the Lord, And He heard me.”
Susie from Carmel, IN
“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.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Amy D., Thousand Oaks, CA: Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. Luke 24:45
Harrah, OK Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the Lord ? (Isaiah 58:5 NKJV)
Kristen Keeling from Covington, Ga.
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8 (NIV84)
Cheryl, Chadbourn NC. “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1 NKJ
Kristi Morgan Midland, TX
“In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you.” Philippians 2:14 NLT
April, Greensboro, NC: “Teach me Your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to Your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor You.” Psalm 86:11 NLT
Kendall- Tulsa, OK
O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be out strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. – Isaiah 33:2
Sally, Moore, Ok “When pride comes disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is worthy to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30
I will say of The Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Psalm 91 NIV
Melody from Independence, MO. “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 NIV
Karen, Florence KY
The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become
my salvation.
Psalm 118:14 NIV
Kimberly in Madison, Maine
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Philippians 4:6, NLT
Sarah B. Euharlee, Ga.
Whatever happens conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the Gospel.
Sorry, Phillpians 1:27 NIV
Michelle Wynne in Frisco, TX
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity.
Jeremiah 29:13-14 NIV
“I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble, but be brave! I have defeated the world.” John 16:33 NCV
Robin from Phoenix
Tonya Gray
White Lake, MI
Psalm 34:4- “I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.”NIV
Jewel from Clarksville, TN
“I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws”
Psalms 119:39 NIV
Elizabeth in Clinton, MD.
“The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
1 Samuel 17:37 NIV
He is my Rock and my Salvation.
He is my Defender;
Iwill not be defeated.
Psalm6:6
Isaiah 54:13: “All your children will be followers of the LORD, and your children will enjoy great prosperity.” NET Bible
Kelly Huffman, cape girardeau mo
Matthew 6:25 NIV
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
Ashleigh ~ Gadsden, AL
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (NLT)
Christi, Springboro. Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be
wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Matthew 10:16 ESV
Melissa from Flemington, NJ. II Corinthians 10:3-5, ” For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” KJV
Diera- Austin
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” Lamentations 3:22 NIV
Kamee Bissell, Spokane
I am confident of this:I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Psalm 27:13 NIV
Deborah, Hartsville, SC
“That Thy way may be known on the earth, Thy salvation among all nations.” Psalm 67:2,NASB
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. II Corinthians 1:4 KJV
Emily Linhardt
Olathe, KS
The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
Proverbs 14:15 ESV
Laura, Greenville, NC: Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the Lord swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. Deuteronomy 11:19-21 (NIV)
Theresa, Taylorsville, KY: Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord Psalm 150:6 (NIV)
Jennifer from Brandon, MS
“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,” Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Memphis, TN
“Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.”
Psalm 37:4-6 (ESV)
M.C. Jennings, Abilene, TX
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)
Kay Harms, Sierra Vista, AZ
Psalm 73:28 (NASB)
But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Thy works.
#2. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6
Susan norville from Jacksonville Florida
“send froth your light and your truth , let them guide me , let them bring me to your holy mountain , to the pace where you dwell “. psalm 43:3 niv
Vickie Heerema from Pella, Iowa
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD,”I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.”
Psalm 91:14-15 (NIV)
Nancy from Evansville, IN
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14 NIV