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
Laura Smith
Denver, CO
“So then just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord continue to live in Him.”
Colossians 2:6 NIV
Amber B., Vicksburg, MI. Jesus looked at them and said “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 NIV
Lubbock,TX
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
Wynell, Athens, GA.
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:18
…reference is from the NIV
Jennifer from Jefferson City, TN
NIV
John 15:4
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21, NASB
Victoria – Salt Lake City, UT – 1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV)
“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Kristine, Ontario
Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Ramona Gellick, Medina Ohio
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV1984)
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ
Kimberly, Gray, GA “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28. NIV
Lesley from Clinton, MS
Ephesians 3:17-18 “…And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…”
Molly
St.Paul, MN
No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
Romans 4:20-21 ESV
Ellie Richardson, Newton,Ia
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you,
Ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15:7 Kjv
Kaitlyn, Tampa
Psalm 51: 10, NIV
“Create in me a pure heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Julie from Gresham, Oregon:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
And now Isreal, what does the Lord your God require of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to Love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
Duet. 10:12 NKJV
Christine, Andrews, Texas.Â
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.Â
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Jada Smith in Aurora, MO…”So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Cor 4:18 (NIV)
James 4:10 NIV
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other.
Isaiah 45:5-6 NIV
Laura from Lake City, Fl.
Maymee, Augusta – “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Give, and you will receive. Your gift will be returned to you in full — pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Luke 6:37,38 NLT
Isaiah 54:13
NIV
All your sons (children)will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace.
Julie, Warner Robins, Ga. And He has said to me,”My grace is sufficient for you,for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore,I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB
Amanda in Port Arthur, TX
Galatians 6:9 ESV ” And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Carol,Cashion, OK “Jesus said, ‘No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow Seize the day.” Luke 9:62 Message
Dusti Pugh, Carthage TX
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
John 15:8 NIV
Jessica from Smyrna, GA
“Trust in the Lord with all your hear and lean not on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Lindsey, Dubach, LA…”Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.” -Jesus in Matt. 5:13 (MSG)
Amy Siewert, Burnsville
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
Isaiah 43:2, ESV
Saderia Jasper, AL
Psalm 3:3 NLT
3 But you, O LORD, are a shield around me;
you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. Psalm 3:3 NLT
Katie, San Antonio – “In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6 NIV84
Kerry – Maryland
Psalm 63:8 ESV
My soul clings to you;
Your right hand upholds me.
Angela – Frisco, Texas
But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
Psalm 56: 3 NLT
Carrie, Minneapolis, Mn “He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.” Psalm 18:19 ESV
Jennifer from Haslet, Tx
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Stacie, Earle AR
It shall come to pass that before they call I will answer; and while they are still speaking I will hear.
Isa. 65:24 NKJV
Courtney C. From Kountze, TX
God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
“Those who know your name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
Psalm 9:10 NIV
Tara, Greenville,SC
3: When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.
4: In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?
Psalms 56: 3 & 4 New American Standard Bible
SKay Fires, Possum Kingdom Lake, TX
Psalm 139:2 NIV
“You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar.”
Deanna – Safford, AZ
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3 NIV84
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. Psalm 103:13 NIV January 15,2013. Hamburg, AR Minerva Huante
Jennifer, Dry Ridge, KY
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 NRSV
Karen, Birmingham, AL
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”
Psalms 19:1 ESV
Mary Ellen in Billings, MT
“And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10
Abbey ~ San Angelo, Tx
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
John 15:8 ESV
Tamberly Wheeler in Flower Mound, Tx
Let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable in your sight. O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14(ESV)
Debi from Merrimack, NH.
“…your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him.” Matt 6:8 (NLT)
Danielle
Pratt, KS
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.” Psalms 19:14 (NKJV)
Jane, Gulfport – “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for a go and prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:2-3 (NASB)