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.
Margie, Pretty Prairie, KS
Jeremiah 33:3 KJV
Call unto me and I will answer the, and shew the great and mighty things which thou knowest not.
Kimberly Barrett, Camden, Arkansas
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. Psalm 139:1-4 NIV
Deb in Windsor, CT:
“From the fullness of his grace we have all received on blessing after another.” – John 1:16, NIV
Carolyn, Conroe, TX
“”Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to him.'” – Daniel 2:20 (NASB)
Brenda Wilken from Eureka, MO
I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I have put my hope in your word.”
Psalm 119:147 NIV
Kendra, Fort Wayne, IN. Psalm 143:5–8 (NASB) “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your doings; I muse on the work of Your hands. I stretch out my hands to You; My soul longs for You, as a parched land. Selah. Answer me quickly, O LORD, my spirit fails; do not hide Your face from me, or I will become like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; for I trust in You; teach me the way I should walk; for to You I lift up my soul.
I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you. Psalms 119:11 HCSB
Christene from London, Canada. Isiah 51:15-16 NLT
For I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea, causing its waves to roar. My name is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. And I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely in my hand. I stretched out the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the earth. I am the one who says to Israel, ‘You are my people!'”
Becky McInerny, Edinburgh, IN –
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NIV
Kaylee Vida, Anderson, IN
Wait patiently for the LORD.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.
Psalm 27:14, NLT
Elizabeth Melcher
Barto, Pa
“My dear brothers, take a note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry”. James 1:19 NIV
Hayley Warren
Seymour TX
But would you like evidence, you empty fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? You see that his faith was working together with his works and his faith was perfected by works. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “ Now Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And similarly, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another way? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. (â€James‬ â€2‬:â€20-26‬ NET)
San Antonio TX
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my God, my stronghold in whom I take refuge, my shield, the glory of my salvation, and my high tower.”
Psalm 18:2 International Standard Version (ISV)
Leah Kirksey, Camden, Arkansas “I, therefore, a prisoner of The Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love…” Ephesians 4:1-2 NKJV
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (â€John‬ â€16‬:â€33‬ NIV)
Judy, Fountain Inn, SC
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 HCSB
Jena Shockley, Ruston, LA. “You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.” Psalm 139:3 NIV
Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.
1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV
1 John 1:3,4 NIV
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.
Kelli Furgason, DeWitt, MI
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 NASB
Pam D., Hendersonville, TN Romans 12:1, NLT “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.”
Lindsay McDonald, Casey, IL “You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit.” (â€1 Thessalonians‬ â€1‬:â€5b-6‬ ESV)
“Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22 (NIV)
Missie, Marble Falls, TX
“The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.” Psalm 146:8 ESV
Stephanie Solomon, Morgantown, WV.
The Lord confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them. Psalm 25:14 NIV
Stacey Jeannett, Austin, TX, Philippians 4:8-9
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lively, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. NASB
Heather, Petrolia ON
“Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?” Psalm 24:3 NIV
Brenda Brandt Hudsonville, MI
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
Kristin
Ft. Worth, TX
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 4:18
NIV
Lindsey Gibson, Soddy-Daisy, TN, Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage, Galatians 5:1 NKJV
Carol Osborn, Keller, TX, Isaiah 26:3-4. “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.”
“May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in You.”
Psalm 33:22 NIV
Pat
Crawfordsville, IN
1 Thessalonians 5:18 in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. NET
Rita Martin, Prague,OK. Ephesians 3:16 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,” NIV
Lindsey from Little Rock, AR
“The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.”
1 Corinthians 7:4 (NKJV)
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. (â€1 John‬ â€2‬:â€15‬ NIV)
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. John 15:4 NLT
…Sneads Ferry, NC
Carol Lawrence, Poplar Bluff, MO
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all deliver to the saints. Jude 3 ESV
Lori from Bushnell, Florida
While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. (â€1 Thessalonians‬ â€5‬:â€3‬ NIV)
Katie in Madison,WI
“…may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ Jesus which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:18-19
Vicki Smith, Cleveland, TX Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Raquel from Grand Blanc, MI
A man without self control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
Proverbs 25:28 ESV
Magan Lewis
Lakeway, Texas
For we know, brothers loved by God,
that He has chosen you
because our gospel came to you
not only in word,
but also in power
and in the Holy Spirit
and with full conviction.
1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 (ESV)
Margo, Burlington “But he knows the way that I take, when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. ” Job 23:10
They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; They will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
NIV 61:4
Php 2:13-14
For God is working in you giving you the desire & the power to do what pleases Him
To do all things without arguing are complaining
Terri Lopez, Cedar Grove, WI. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:7-8a NIV
Debbie H.
St. Paul, MN
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me. Psalm 17:8,9 NIV
Nicole, Ruston, LA – “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:7 (NIV)
Punky Tolson, Dallas, TX
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36, ESV