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
Karen Thompson in Schererville, IN
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
BettyJo from St. Augustine, FL
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.
Isaiah 54:13 ESV Praying this!
Proverbs 3:27
When it is in your power, don’t withhold good from the one to whom it s due.
Holman Illustrated Study Bible
Marilyn from Seattle, WA
“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Eph. 5:20 ESV
Jonna, North Hollywood, CA
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 NIV
These are my first two verses: NASV I Cor. 16:13,14 Iowa
(sorry about the wording)
Be on the alert,
stand firm in the faith
act like men, (means be courageous)
be strong.
Let all that you do be done in love.
Sue, Lookout Mountain, All your children shall be taught by The LORD and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Erin- Tokyo, Japan
“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
Albuquerque. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” NIV
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
Kasey Dougherty, Philadelphia,PA
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Deut 6:5 NIV
Wendy, Blacksburg, VA
“Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” -Genesis 15:6 NIV
Pamela in Rock Island, IL – Luke 1:13 – “Do not be afraid Zachariah (Pamela) your prayer has been heard”
Stacey
Fayetteville , WV
Isaiah 40:31
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. NIV
Kristen Sarfraz, Littleton, CO
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4 (NASB)
Rebecca
Boise,ID
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him Who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV
Sherie
The Woodlands, TX
The Lord gives strength to his people; The Lord blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:11NIV
Jennifer Pearson in Nesbit, MS
“And the Lord will guide you continually
and satisfy your desire in scorched places
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail. Isaiah 58:11 ESV
Kim, Quasqueton, IA
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5,6 NIV
Kathy Skidmore MO
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that the surpoassing power belongs to God and not to us.
2 Corinthians 4:7 ESV
Amanda, Calgary, Alberta
Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your hearts to Him,
For God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:8 NIV
Vickie in Spokane, WA.
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 NIV
Elizabeth
Wilmette, IL
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give praise to him.
Psalm 28:7 ESV
Lori, San Angelo, Tx
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekial 36:26 NIV 84
Melissa, Grayson, GA
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3: 22-23 Niv
Cheryl, from Louisville, KY:
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so you can stand up under it.
1 Corinthians 10: 13 NIV
Tanya..Huntington Beach, Ca
Ephesians 3:20 NIV.. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
Desta, Trinchera, Colorado ~ O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; my sould thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dray and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 NASB
Kiana ~ Fairfield, TX
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NIV84
Celeste, Land O Lakes, “All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Terri Rubenstein of Morgantown, WV
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11. NIV84
Syneva Mullins in Topeka, Kansas
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess His name.”
Hebrews 13:15 NIV
The lame will leap like a deer,
and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!
Springs will gush forth in the wilderness,
and streams will water the wasteland.
Isaiah 35:6 NLT
Tara
Greensboro, NC
Julie Hill in Cordova, Tennessee
Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord ; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth. Hosea 6:3 ESV
Reanna – Cypress, CA – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “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. – NIV
Sarah Yoder,
Clermont, Ga,
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3, 4 NIV)
Shannon
Houston, TX
I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
John 10:10b RSV
Sheena, Alabama, Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself from trouble. Prov 21:23 NKJV
Teri, Wellington, Ks ” You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed o you!” Isaiah 26:3 NLT
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)
Casey Gilliam: Frisco, Texas
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”” Isaiah 30:21 NIV
“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. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:8-10
I had this on an index card, think it’s the older NIV.
Becca from St Paul, MN
Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He won’t leave you or forsake you… 1 Chronicles 28:20 HCSB
Emily, Greensburg
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 KJV
Jennifer~ Greensburg,LA
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:5 NIV
Heather Miller, Greensburg, LA
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
Brooke – Bartlesville , OK
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears The Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30 ESV
Albuquerque, We demolish arguements and every pretension that set itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corn. 10:5 NIV
“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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 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.”
Stacia – Wichita, KS
“Be silent and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. Psalm 46:10 NLT
Phyllis Irvine, CA “the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you.” Colossians 1:5 NIV
Nikki- San Diego, CA
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure”
~ 1 Corinthians 10:13, NLT