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 onĀ 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)
8Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā āBehold, I go forward, but He is not there,
and backward, but I do not perceive Him;
9Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 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.
10Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā But He knows the way that I take;
when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
11Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā My foot has held fast to his steps;
I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
12Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 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).Ā (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.
Elizabeth Rush, Independence, Missouri
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is Godās will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Piper Stephens
Hickory NC
For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11
Crystal, Chandler, AZ
Proverbs 31:25 NLT
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the future.
Dione H. Moore, Oklahoma
The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV
Brenda Zabriskie, Salt Lake City, Utah 1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.
Kim Williams, Colmesneil, Texas
And I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in His grace until His task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns.
Philippians 1:6 TLB
Sara Morris, Marietta, GA
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:3-5, NIV
Sarah, St. Joseph, MO: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. Ephesians 4:29
Monica – Abbotsford, BC Canada
John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Sarah Philpott, Siloam Springs AR
“No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.” John 16:27 (NIV)
Ginger, Charlotte, NC
“Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4 (AMP)
Rhonda from Belleville, IL
I had a completely different verse I was going to use, until I read Beth’s blog and then it changed to hers. Sorry to copy, but it really hit home today and I needed it!
“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10
Patty, Shelton, WA
Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge.
Psalm 16:1 ESV
Abi Moore, Apopka, FL. “Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.'” Ezekiel 37:4-6 NIV
Hannah-Rose, Newcastle, AUSTRALIA
Galations 2:20 (NIV)
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Siabhon N. Richards, Phenix City, AL
“A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.”
Proverbs 12:4, NIV
Minden, Nebraska
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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9
Joy, Altadena, CA
“Then when you do call out, “My God, where are You?” The Eternal One will answer, “I am here, I am here.” If you remove the yoke of oppression from the downtrodden among you, stop accusing others, and do away with mean and inflammatory speech,”
Isaiah 58:9 Voice
Mechelle, Tulsa, OK
Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!
Psalm 116:2
(I found this bible verse on the blog – already a great reason to do this – finding verses that move me!)
Amy G- Clovis Ca
1 Thes 4:3-5 NASB
For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality. That each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the gentile who do not know God.
Jessica Guffey, Chattanooga, TN.
“I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my portion of food.”
Job 23:12b (ESV)
Shannon Clark from Fredericksburg, VA
Dear children, let’s not merely say we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.
1 John 3:18-20 (NLT)
Natalie, Iowa Park, TX
“For I am convinced that neither life nor death, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NIV
Marie
Byhalia, MS
Job 23:10 ESV
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
Judy, Clay Center, Kansas “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. NIV
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV)
Shantha, Lincoln, RI
Kristi Elba, AL “I pray that Christ will live in your hearts by faith and that your life will be strong in love and be built on love.” Ephesians 3:17 (NCV)
Beth Schwartz, Lititz PA
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
Tonya Nelson Apex, NC
Romans 12:1-2 NASB
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable e and perfect.
Janet, Lenoir, NC: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5
NIV
Glenda, Pasco, WA “The Soveign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.”
Habakku3:19 NIV
Amanda from Olive Branch, MS
“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be, not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve.
I Peter 5:2 (NIV) Our school’s theme verse this year!
Andrea Jones – Houston, TX
Eph 4:1b NLT
…live a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.
Feb. 2, 2015
John 14:27 NIV
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
“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
Meagan Dowler Fairbanks, AK Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; Hebrews 10:23 NASB
Pam Tucker, Fairhope, AL
And after you suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself, restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10 ESV
Jessica Robinson, Westminster, MD “Dear Children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” – 1 John 5:21, NLT
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
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does The Lord require of you
But to do justly
To love mercy
And to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8 NKJV
Cheryl Paulsen Portland, OR
Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you. Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Hebrews 13:5-6. HCSB
Sharon Toth, Lincoln Park, Mi.
Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery. Replace the evil years with good. Psalm 90:15 NLT
Lucille Goins, New Bloomfield Mo.
Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
Ephesians 1:15 NKJV.
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. Eph 3:20 NLT
Jackson, TN
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:6 (NIV)
Debbie in Jacksonville, FL
Psalm 73:28 (HCSB)
But as for me, Godās presence is my good.
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
so I can tell about all You do.
Carol Peavy, Jena, LA
(10) But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. (11) My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. (12) I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.
Job 23:10-12 NIV
Peggy from Clermont, FL – ‘For I,’ says the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.'” Zechariah 2:5 NKJV
Alicia, Dallas, TX – However, as it is written: What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived – the things God has prepared for those that love him.
Sylvia S., Collinsville, IL
Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 (NIV)