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)
8Â Â Â Â Â Â âBehold, 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.
Katie in Jamestown, RI–“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
Leigha, White Oak, TX Proverbs 8:6 NIV
Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.
Edna
Columbus, Ohio
“For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace”
Romans 8:5-6, NASB
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1, NIV
Leslie Armstrong , Madison , ms , But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
Karen Redmond, Saint Petersburg, FL: “Let all that I am praise the Lord, with my whole heart, I will praise His holy name.” Psalm 103:1, NLT
Monique, Wadsworth, Ohio
He answered, ââLove the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mindâ[a]; and, âLove your neighbor as yourself.â[b]â
Luke10:27
Sheri Meyer Los Angeles, CA Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Amy Hicks, Billings MT
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly” John 10:10 NKJV
Nancy J, San Antonio, TX
I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. Psalm 16:8 NLT
John 14:21 NIV
âWhoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father and I too will love him and show myself to himâ
Lori Maasen, Dardenne Prairie, MO ~ “And she went up to Him and said, ” Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:40b-42 (ESV)
Shauna, Aurora, Nebraska
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV
Cindy, Columbia, MO
“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:14. ESV
Psalm 107:2 NLT
Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.
Tracy Leary, Richlands, NC
Julie Lohr, Gahanna, OH “As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” Psalm 18:30 NKJV
Sarah R, Tomball TX
I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. Genesis 28:15 NLT
Psalm 28:7, NIV
“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.”
Lorraine D.
Marysville, WA
For the word of the Lord is right and true,
He is faithful in all He does.
Psalm 33:4
“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together”
Colossians 1:17 NIV
Judy Simpson, Fort Worth, TX. “My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” Psalms 73:26. KJV
Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galations 6:9 NLT
Julie Webb City, MO
I will love you,O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:1-2 NKJV
Carol White, Vian, Oklahoma
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:12-13 NIV
He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.
–Psalm 147:3, NLT
Deb Cordell, Tampa, FL ” Therefore, do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV
“God saved you by his grace when you believed and you can’t take credit for this: it is a gift from God”
Ephesians 2:8 NLT
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:11-12 NASB
Matthew 6:33 NAS
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.
Julie from Olathe,Ks
The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.
Proverbs 14:1, NKJV
Shannon Smith, Newport, Tennessee …but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Penny D.; Loganville, GA
Philippians 2:14-16
“Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God, without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe, as you hold out the word of life–in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.”
NIV
Louisville, KY “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Prov 3:5-6 NIV
Peggy Hale
Maurieceville, Texs
Colossians 3:16a
Let the word of Christ dwell in richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.
Birgitta Meylor, Waunakee, WI. “Therefore let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brothers way.” Romans 14:13 NIV
Melinda Montgomery, AL
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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Cor. 12:9
Marisa Green, Hightstown, NJ
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. (Proverbs 16:32, RSV)
Deborah E. Bell — Bridgeton, New Jersey
(5). For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
(6). Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
(7). For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Romans 6:5-7 KJV
Diane G, Hanson, MA
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 I will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
Kelley, Chino Ca. Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the spirit of adoption by whom we cry out abba father. HCSB
Dianne Jackson, TN
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 107:1 ESV
Amanda Jimerson, Union City, TN.
Romans 1:20 (NIV) “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities– His eternal power and divine nature– have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
Rebekah ~ Loveland, CO
“I am the true grapevine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more!” John 15:1-2 NLT
amy. charlotte nc. 2 Corinthians 5 – 17Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come. 18All this is done by God, who through Christ changed us from enemies into his friends and gave us the task of making others his friends also.
Gabrielle
Niles MI
Isaiah 43:2 when you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the fle shall not consume you.
Katie from The Woodlands, TX But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much
James 5:16B
Amy from Noble, OK
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
“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.”
Jackie Adington, Waynesburg, KY – “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (â2 Timothy⏠â3âŹ:â16-17⏠ESV)
Catherine Stewart, Centreville, VA “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my discples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35 ESV