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
Eva Chancy from Kansas
The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
Psalms 145:8 KJV
Brenda C. Lee’s Summit, MO Exodus 15:13NIV84 “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.”
Erin – Bella Vista, Ar
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. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Marsha, Lee’s Summit
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving, Colossians 4:2 NKJ
Melissa Marks, Katy, TX
Behold I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth and shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19 NKJ
Glenda Passdena Tx
Do not be deceived; God can not be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Gal. 6:7 NIV
Greta, Fort Smith, AR
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 NIV
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)
Katie Davila, Tomball, TX
Houston Tx 77055
All your children will be taught
by the Lord, and great shall be the
peace of your children.
Isaiah 54:13 NKJV
Nicole from Gilbert
But praise be to God, He gives us the victory thru our Lord, Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57 NIV84
Debbie, Olathe, KS- “You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.” (Psalm 139:2 NIV 84)
Laura, Boynton beach, FL
“Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.” Psalm 56:3 NKJV
Katy in Frisco, TX
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom.
James 2:12
Show me your ways, O Lord , teach me your paths ; ;guide me In your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day lomg .Psalm 25. 4-5. niv
Caroline, Houston. Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul. Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; I take refuge in You. Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalms 143:8-10 NASB
Melissa, Walla Walla, WA
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free, therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 NASB
Leanne, Abbotsford BC, Canada
I love the Lord because he hears and answers my prayers. Because he bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath!
Psalm 116:1-2 NLT
Ashley from Lubbock, Texas.
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.
Psalms 62:5 NLT
Pamela from Round Rock, TX
Psalm 119:114 AMP
You are my Hiding Place and
my Shield; I hope in Your word.
Ashley Jones – Frisco, TX
“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
Sara, Prairie Village, KS. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4.
Katie in Biloxi, MS
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 NIV
Jennifer, Huntersville, NC
“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My word that goes out from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Is. 55:10-11 NIV
Fullerton, CA
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” -Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
Polly, Inola, Oklahoma
“So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”
Psalms 90:12 NASB
Tracy from Irvine, California ~ Hosea 2:14-15: “Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. And there I will give her her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth, as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt.” ESV
Elyse, Springfield, MO
“The Lord will fight for you. You need only be still.” Exodus 14:14 NIV
Lacie | Seattle, WA
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. -2 Cor 12:9 NIV
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the L ord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NLT
Sherrie, Newport News, Va
“I said to myself, ‘Relax, because the LORD is going to take care of you'”.
Psalm 116:7 NCV
Laci
Ferris, TX
“What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”
Romans 8;31
NLT
MaryClare Hill from Frisco, Texas
“…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 a hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Aimmi Adams from LaRussell, MO
I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2 NIV84
Kelly in Independence, MO “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” Psalm 139:23 NIV84
Tracey, WV. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. (Galatians 5:25, 26 NLT)
emi, white house,tn: “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15-17 ESV
Mary Beth Allegood
Moultrie, GA
For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. (2 Timothy 1:7 HCSB)
Sherri in Galena, OH
“He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8 NIV
Carina Oberg
Westlake Village, Ca
She opens her mouth with wisdom and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
Proverbs 31:26 NKJV
Judy
Chicago, IL
But I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers (and sisters) I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining forward to what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Phil. 3:12-14, NIV
Kristi from West Monroe, LA
Before I was born, the Lord called me to serve him. The Lord named me while I was still in my mother’s womb. Isaiah 49:1 NCV
Leslie in Houston, TX
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
(Proverbs 31:11, NASB)
Sarah, Orillia
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. – Philipians 2:3-4 NIV
Leigh Graciano from Vista, California
Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth.
Colossians 3:2
Michele Jones Meridian, Idaho
Trust in the lord with all your heart, and do not trust in your own
understanding. Agree with him in all your ways, and He will make
your paths straight. Proverbs 3: 5-6
Sheila Graf, Cameron Ok
Everyone should be quick to listen slow to speak and slow to become angry, for mans anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19 NIV
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Jill from Tea, SD: “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7 NLT
MaryJo, Indianapolis
You do not have because you do not ask God. James 4:2b (NIV)