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
He brought us out from there in order to bring us in, to give us the land which He had sworn to our fathers. — Deuteronomy 6:23
Oops! I’m from Bridge City, Texas. Melanie Toups
Susan, Houston, TX
I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 NIV
Margo, Burlington Ontario “They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of Lords and King of Kings – and with him will be his called,chosen and faithful followers.” Rev 17:14 NIV
Faith, Houma LA She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. (Proverbs 31:26 NKJV)
Anita, Lawrenceville,
“I am the Alpha and the Omega”, says the Lord God,” who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 ESV
Ecclesiastes 3:3-4 AMP
“A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up, A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,”
Holly Smith
Monument, CO
“those who look to Him are radiant, their faces never covered with shame” Psalm 34:5 NIV
Traci, from chandler arizona
Philippians 4:8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (NLT)
Colleen Duebber. Cincinnati. All those the father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. John 6:37-38 NIV.
Leslie
Wisner, La.
“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
1 Peter 4:9 NIV
(also love The MSG version:
“Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully.”)
Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts.
James 3:13 MSG
Rosie Tacoma Wa
My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store them in your heart. If you do this you will have many years and your life will be satisfying.
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people and you will earn a good reputation.
Proverbs 3:1-4 NLT
Anna, Huntington IN, Hebrews 13:8 NIV
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Laura, Minneapolis: “Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” I Timothy 4:11-12, ESV
Kerry from New Jersey: “And I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.” Luke 10:19 NLT
Melissa, San Antonio, TX
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
Hebrews 12:1 NKJV
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1 NKJV
Cynthia from Brentwood, TN
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter or talk but power.”
I Cor. 4:20
NIV
sorry…”For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power”
Lauren; Jackson, Ky. Romans 3:23-34, KJV: For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Cherise, Cheyenne, WY: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who come to Him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Hebrews 11: 6 (NIV)
Kathi Vodenicker, Jacksonville, Fl “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”-Jeremiah 1:5 NIV
Missi: Walker, LA
Do everything without complaining or arguing
Philippians 2:14 NIV84
Allison, from Nashville, TN: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. ” Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
Lisa, West Des Moines, IA “He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30 (NIV)
Jennifer M in Moore,OK~~”We loved you so much that we were DELIGHTED to share with you not only the Gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8, NIV
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. 2 Peter 1:3-9 NIV
STACY, CHAPIN,SC
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be
also. Matthew 6:21
Billie Galyen, Greenville, KY “And Isaac went out to meditate in the field towards evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming.” Genesis 24:63 ESV
Robin A.
Fairfax, VA
He must become GREATER, I must become less.
John 3:30 (NIV)
Susan,Fairhope,AL.”I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.” Philippians 1:3-4 (NIV)
Kristi from Greenville, TX
“Teach me Your way, O LORD, and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.” Psalm 86:11 NIV
Cathy De, Osage Beach, MO
“For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.” Psalm 31:3 NKJV
Jackie Nottingham UK
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 8 verses 38-39 New King James Version
Laura, Houston
“I seek you with all my heart; Do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
Psalm 119:10,11 NIV
Sabrina~Houston, TX
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
2 Timothy4:8 NIV
Brooke, Mobile, AL “Jesus said to the people who believed in him, ‘You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” -John 8:31-32 NLT
Birmingham, AL: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 ESV
Katie Morris, Stamping Ground, KY
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Col 3:13
NIV
Alison H., St. Augustine, “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” 1 John 5:21 NLT
Kristen from Greenwood, IN – “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Darla, Pittsburgh PA (Remembering Beth’s session 2 from David)
“My soul, wait in silence for God alone; my hope is from Him. He only is my Rock and my salvation; my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest. The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour our your heart before Him, God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:5-8 NASB
Mollie from Garland, TX 🙂
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there.
Galatians 5:24
Elizabeth from Becket MA
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NLT
Cyndy, Columbia, SD
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8 NIV
WAYNE, PA
“Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” nlt
Denise Ramser of Gambier It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him Deuteronomy 13:4 NIV
“Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh & blood, but against rulers, against powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:10-13 NASV
Carol in Kansas City: She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. (Proverbs 31:25 NIV)
Lori Lehrmann ~ Port Arthur, TX
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.” ~Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIV)
Peggy, Cheyenne – Now to him who is able to do immeasureably miore than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen! Ephesians 3:20-21