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.
Vicky, Kent, WA Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
Jacksonville, FL
I John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. KJV
Carla G – Myrtle Beach, SC
The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God and I will exalt him. ~Exodus 15:2
NIV
Crossville, TN
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
Kathy
Albuquerque, NM
Galatians 6:9 NIV
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Rachel, Suwanee, GA. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth. Isaiah 42:10 KJV
allie, Johnstown, CO
For nothing will be impossible with God. Luke 1:37 (ESV)
Vicki Bolton, Lubbock, TX
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 HCSB
Haley from Kansas City, MO
James 1:2-4 (I’m going to work on this passage all month long)
New Living Translation
“Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. 3. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.”
Becky Miller, Horseshoe Bay, Texas
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
“For You bless the godly, O Lord; You surround them with Your shield of love.” Thank You, Poppa. I receive that shield of love.
NLT
Christine Bolin
Harrisburg, Il
I forgot the verse number….Psalm 5:12 NLT
For as the rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth making it bring forth and sprout giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater. Isaiah 55:10
Angie, Magnolia, AR –
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13
Emily, Fairfax, VA- “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:9-10 NIV
John 15:16 (ESV)
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you will go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask The Father in my name, he may give to you.
Kelly, Glenwood, MD ” But I say walk by the spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do whatever you want.” Galatians 5:16-17, NIV
Cathy Birmingham, Alabama
2Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training for righteousness. So that the man of God may be throughly equipped for every good work.
Cynthia Culver, Valier, MT
If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? (â€Luke‬ â€16‬:â€11‬ ESV)
Dianne- Hendersonville, NC
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.
Phil 4:8
Yvonne, Rockwall, TX
Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. Psalm 91:3 NIV
Andrews, NC – “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” Philippians 3:12 ESV
J Wakeham
Cypress Texas
Psalm 33:5 esv
He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the steadfast love of The Lord.
Donna, Southlake, TX- “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer”
Romans 12:12 NIV
Nancy, The Woodlands, TX- “And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.”
2 Thess 3:13
Kathy Jackson, Memphis TN. “The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” Exodus‬ â€34‬:â€6‬ ESV
Meghann DeLong, Lawton, OK, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. -James‬ â€1‬:â€6‬ ESV
Rockford, Michigan. “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1Thessalonians 5:11
Amy Oesterreich, Crown Point,Indiana
“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let you requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”.
Philippians 4:6 HCSB
Karen Edlund, Rochester MN
“But as for me, God’s presence is my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge, so I can tell about all You do.” Psalm 73:28 HCSB
Cathy Pernsteiner Clarkston, WA Rejoice in The Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4
Pamela, Mechanicsville,VA.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the
greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13. NIV
Rebecca Scott, New Orleans LA. “Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 NIV
“does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:6-7 NKJV
Angel Varney Knoxville, Tennessee
Numbers 6:24-26 NIV
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Billie, Greenville, KY “…having become as much superior to angels as the name He has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have begotten You’? Or again, ‘I will be to Him a Father and He shall be to me a Son”? Hebrews 1:4-5 ESV
Catherine, Hurst, TX “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
Becky Shavertown PA “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Deuteronomy 5:16 NIV
Pam, Jefferson City, MO “Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always.” 1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV
Stacey Benoit, Denham Springs, LA
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 4:10 (NIV)
Kari White, Fulton, SD
“He is your praise and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome works your eyes have seen.” Deut. 10:21
Marilyn, Dearborn MO.
But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to
everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness
to children’s children.
Psalm 103:17 ESV
Heidi, Narvon, PA
Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.
Psalm 62:8 ESV
Feb 1 2015
Heather, St. Louis, MO
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Jessica Hill – Brandon, MS
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 4:8 (ESV)
Lindsay Thomas, Dallas, TX. “In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over 2 by observing your pure and reverent lives.” I Peter 3:1-2 NLT
Vicksburg, MS
Praise the Lord.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Psalm 106:1
NIV
Darlene Selinger, Grapevine, Texas – Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)
Nancy Turner, Woodbridge, VA
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21, ESV
Kristen Lingerfelt, Madisonville, TN
“Lord, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future.” Psalm 16:5, HCSB
3John 4
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.