Hey, you Scripture memory fiends! I am so proud of you guys for keeping your numbers up with your second verses! There can be a really big drop out between the hype surrounding the first verse and the discipline that starts kicking in with the second verse. Stay at it, you guys. Not one of you will be sorry you did. No one is going to get to the finish line next December 15th and say it wasn’t worth the work. God is far more faithful than that. He rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6) and diligently uses His Word to equip us in our callings (2 Timothy 3:16-17). He uses His Word to make us wiser, more aware of His will, more fortified against temptation, and more alive in His Spirit. He uses His Word to make us less gullible when our hearts are trying to deceive us, when someone we love is trying to mislead us or when Satan himself is trying to seduce us. Be encouraged. Not one ounce of your effort is wasted.
Here is the biggest key to accomplishing this task: throughout the entire process, continually ask God to enable you to memorize. In John 14:26, Christ tells His followers that the Holy Spirit is the one who will “bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” Proactively taking Him up on this assurance has been strategic through the years I’ve memorized Scripture. Over and over I convey to God that I know only He can empower those inspired words on the page to find a permanent place in my memory and a home in the marrow of my bones. I call upon His Spirit in Jesus’ Name to stir up those verses in me and remind me of every word and phrase.
When you’re able to say your verse with any accuracy at all, start thanking Him. Do it right then. Completely engage in the relational side of your memory work. That will be by far the biggest success in this endeavor. God is after your heart, not just your mind. He’s not just looking for your discipline. He wants to be your desire. His aim is relationship. Ask Him to help you then thank Him when He does it. When you’re working on a beautiful verse, tell Him you think it’s beautiful. When you keep stumbling over one particular word, ask Him right then to help you get that phrase straight. His Word is God speaking to you so speak back. Use it as an invitation to dialogue. Is the verse really hard? Say to Him, “This verse is killing me here, Lord. I can’t seem to get it. Grant it to me. Help me with it.” Get what I’m saying? This way He gets all the glory in every success and we get immeasurable gain.
This I promise you: God’s objective for you and me in 2015 is not for us to memorize 24 verses. It’s for us to draw nearer and nearer to Him, love Him more, know Him more, trust Him more, and believe Him more. To let His Word go down deep where He wants it. To invite it fervently and proactively to abide in us and bring vivacious life to us. To meditate on His words and to prize them more than our daily bread. Job said it this way: “I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my portion of food.” (Job 23:12b) That’s what these 24 verses are about. So, let’s engage with Jesus throughout the entire process. THAT, at the end of our journey, is what will determine our success.
I think I just changed my mind on what I want to present you for my 3rd verse. I am doing memory work out of the Book of Ephesians right now but I don’t happen to be on a verse that stands alone in a comprehensive enough way to offer it to someone to share. Mentioning Job in the previous paragraph stirred up in my memory how much I love that 23rd chapter. Savor the gorgeousness of verses 8-12. (ESV)
8      “Behold, I go forward, but He is not there,
and backward, but I do not perceive Him;
9Â Â Â Â Â Â on the left hand when He is working, I do not behold Him;
He turns to the right hand, but I do not see Him.
10Â Â Â Â Â Â But He knows the way that I take;
when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
11Â Â Â Â Â Â My foot has held fast to his steps;
I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
12Â Â Â Â Â Â I have not departed from the commandment of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.
Translation of verses 8-10??? I may not know where God is right now in my situation but of this I’m sure: He knows where I am. Isn’t that powerful? Then, behold the faith and steadfastness of Job in that 10th verse: because God is at work and is at the helm, “I will come forth as gold” (NIV). (If you get a chance, glance at how perfectly that concept corresponds with 1 Peter 1:7.) I believe Job 23:10 is the exact verse I want to choose this time around and I think I’ll use the NIV. So here goes:
Beth Moore, Houston, Texas. But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
Hit it, Girls.
So honored to study and memorize Scripture with you. Much, much love to you.
Michelle Baylerian, Greenville, WI Galatians 5:1 ESV
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Yvonne Gearing – Kingman, AZ
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Psalms 139:13 NIV
Christy Brey, Jackson, MO- ‘But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.’ (â€James‬ â€1‬:â€4‬ HCSB)
Abby Brey, Jackson, Missouri, ‘ I will praise you
because I have been fearfully and wonderfully
made. Your works are wonderful, and I know
this full well.’ Psalms 139:14
Kim Callan, Charlotte, NC
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. NKJV
Callee Maglothin, Houston, TX “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.” Isaiah 55:11
Jamee Miller, Sanford, FL
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” 1 Peter 3:15
Tina Columbus, Ohio
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; 2 Peter 1:5 & 6 NIV
Suzanne Bailey, Harrisville, RI
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.”
Romans 15:4 esv
Alyssa K Mochen
Rio Rancho, NM
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16 AMP
Sara Altmyer, Gulf Shores, Alabama
I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them. Hosea 11:4 NIV
Brenda Russell, Hendersonville TN “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Prov. 16:3 NIV
Kay Martin
Tupelo, MS
“The life appeared, we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.”
1 John 1:2 NIV
Pam in Guatemala
He will cover you with his feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Psalm 91:4 NIV
I was just reading over some of the Scriptures other ladies added and saw my verse! Praying that you will find comfort and strength in His faithfulness today! Much love from the States!
Kim Beechem from Idabel, OK
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. Wisdoms is found on the lips of the discerning.” Proverbs 10:12-13 NIV
Tammy,
Lusby, MD
Proverbs 3:21
My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgement and discretion.
(NIV)
Rebekah,
Florence, Co
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 1 John 5:14 NIV
Ginger Lowe, Wetumpka, AL
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. Eph. 2:19 ESV
Kristina Sedberry- Garland, TX – Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Psalm 20:6 NIV
Billie, Scottsdale, AZ
“For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.”
Romans‬ â€11‬:â€36‬ (NIV)
Stacy- Arlington tx
1st Peter 2:2 HCSB
Like newborn infants desire the pure spiritual milk,so that you make grow by it for your salvation.
Cassie Oring, Murfreesboro, TN. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians‬ â€4‬:â€12-13‬ NIV
Georgetown, TX The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:7 NLT
Carrie Lyons ~Homer Glen, Illinois
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV
Mary Beth, Hudsonville, MI
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Fort Smith, AR. Ephesians 1:5. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. NIV
Michelle Rodriguez
Beavercreek, OH
“When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Colossians 3:4 NIV
Blessed is the man who trust in the and whose hope is in the Lord. Jeremiah 17:7 (NKIV)
Rockford minn
Jane, Geneseo, Illinois
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18. NIV
Susie Johnson Bloomington, IN The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night. (â€Psalms‬ â€121‬:â€5-6‬ NASB)
Rhonda Feenstra, Rock Hill SC,
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
Galatians 6:9 NASB
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your request to God.
Philippians 4:6
April Smith, San Angelo,TX
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27 ESV)
Patty Pierce
Searcy Ar
Issiah 32:17 ESV
And the effect of righteousness will be peace and the result of righteousness ,quietness and trust forever
Leah Kuor, Salem, OR.
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8 (NASB)
Anne Stinnette, Dededo,Guam, v11)”also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12) to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 11-12 NASB
Colette, Mesa, AZ
“Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.”
Psalm 5:2 NIV
Marilyn Gadsden, Al
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalm 28:7 NIV
Lisa Jones Andalusia, Alabama
James 1:5 The Voice
“If you don’t have all the wisdom needed for this journey, then all you have to do is ask God for it; and God will grant all that you need. He gives lavishly and never scolds you for asking.”
This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10 NIV
Kristin, Madisonville, LA
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 entrust my life.
Psalm 143:8
Lynne Priestley, Belfast, Northern Ireland
In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for you, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust.
Psalm 4:8 AMP
Deena Hall, Colleyville, TX
Psalm 25:14 NIV
The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.
Angela Wagner, Pittsburgh, Pa
“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, you shall love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. James 2:8-9, ESV
Psalm 127:2 NIV
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-for he grants sleep to those he loves.
Barbara Slaven
Loudon, Tennessee
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.
2 Cor 10:5 NIV
Joni Woodward,Port Neches, TX. “I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness.” Isaiah 61:10a, NIV84
My heart is glad and my tongue rejoices my body also will rest secure. Psalm 16:9
Susan Paine, Hillsboro, KS “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ” Philippines 3:8 NIV
Anita, Lawrenceville.
May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
2 Thess. 3:5 ESV
Dear Anita,
I was perusing the comments of scriptures this morning as I have had trouble choosing one for February 1. Almost overly anxious about it and I know that’s not what it is about…..just wanted you to know that this verse stood out to me and I am choosing it for my 3rd verse. I will pencil your name on my card and pray for you also as you are memorizing the same. Maybe we can meet up in Houston next year. I feel as though for some reason maybe I am to pray for you all year.
Dear Lisa and Anita,
Amen, Sisters! I have already chosen a verse for February 1st, but I’m loving the idea of adding your names to my card and praying for you both. My verse? Nehemiah 8:10 NIV…the joy of the LORD is your strength. I cannot tell you of the joy that is filling me now because of this opportunity to pray for a couple of Siestas.
Lisa Pauls, Lake Jackson, TX
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ Acts 17:28 NIV