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.Ā 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,Ā 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 Å”-l-m is of completion and fulfillmentāof 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 –Ā 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.)Ā 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 ā Scripture Memory Team ā 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
Melanie, Johnson City, TN
Psalms 84:11 ESV
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.
Julie from Nixa,MO
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you;I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Ashley from Plainview, TX Romans 4:20-21, NIV
Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
Brenda from Byhalia, MS
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Shannon Thies from Pekin, IL
“My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.” -Psalm 73:26 (New Living Translation)
Susan in Fayetteville, GA Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-17 NIV
Susan in Fort Worth, Texas
“So chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you; compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline”
Col 3:12 Message
Amy Cady
Waipahu, Hawaii
“I trust in your unfailing love. I rejoice because you have rescued me. I sing to you, LORD, because YOU. ARE. GOOD. TO. ME.”
Psalm 13:5-6 NLT
Emily, Summerton, SC “Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 ASV
Kim in Edmond, OK
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
Marie, Harrison, AR; Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.
In Riverton UT
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this allāsurpassing power is from God and not from us.
2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV84
Kirsten H in Schaumburg IL
31 āAs for God, his way is perfect:
The Lordās word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
32 For who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock except our God?
2 Samuel 22:31-32 NIV
If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Rom 8:31 (NKJV)
Birmingham, Al
“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 59:16 NIV
Amy Brown
DeFuniak Springs, FL
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Forgot to include the verse. Jeremiah 29:11-14a. NIV
Vanessa, Rio Rancho NM
A hot tempered man stirs up dissension but a patient man calms a quarrel. Proverbs 15:18 NIV
Many are the plans of the heart, but it is the Lords purpose that prevails. Prov 19:21 NIV
Elizabeth, Frisco, TX – Verse 2
“The lord your god is with you, the mighty warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
DeeDee Katy, Tx
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Gal 6:10
NIV
Gianna
WPB, FL.
“45 Not one of all the Lordās good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.”
Joshua 21:45 NIV
Dalton, GA
The glory which You have given Me, I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one I in them and you in Me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them, even as You have loved Me.
John 17:22,23
Rebecca, Bath, MI
fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Malloree, Trophy Club, Texas
Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see —
how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to Him.
Psalm 34:8
The Message
Stacy Stacy from Columbus, Ohio
Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:7 GWT
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
2Timothy 2:15 NAS
Lori from Athens, GA
“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.”
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Sarah Beth from Alexander City, AL
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
Kathryn, Tempe
Psalms 147:3 NIV
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Donna from Cypress, “The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.” – Isaiah 58:11 (NLT)
Melina, Oklahoma City, OK
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Kimberly, San Antonio
Matthew 6:33 NKJV
Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Kaylee
Macon, Georgia
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
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
I forgot my city. It is Atlanta. Sorry š
Gay Beck, Plain City, OH
A).
Psalm 119:105 (NIV – New International Version)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
B).
Psalm 119:105 (GNT – Good News Translation)
Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path.
C). 119:105 (The Message)
By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path.
Cassie in Mechanicsburg, PA
Matt. 6:34
So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NASB)
El Paso, TX
Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Donna Marina, Ca
2 Chronicles 7:14. NKJV
If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Sherry – Carrollton, TX
Proverbs 4:20-23 NIV
Pay attention to what I say;
turn your ear to my words.
Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
for they are life to those who find them
and health to one’s whole body.
Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
Allison in Jersey Village, TX
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Phillipians 4:4 ESV
2 Peter 1:5-6 NIV84
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
For God did not give us a spirit of fear but a spirit of power of love and self discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
McDonough, GA
“And they were calling to one another:
āHoly, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.ā
At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.” Isaiah 6:3-4 (NIV 84)
Jen Sherman
Plano, Tx
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.ā Isaiah 54:13
Becky, Dayton Ohio, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 NIV
Whitney, Nashville. “Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. You have filled my heart with greater joy.” -Psalm 4:6-7, NIV
Tammy T, Woodstock, GA
Proverbs 25:28 ESV
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
Sarah Featherston in Auburn, AL
“If we are faithless, he remains faithful- for he cannot deny himself.”
2 Timothy 2:13 ESV
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you
and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4 NIV