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.
Whoever knows what is right but doesnât do it is sinning. James 4:17 GWT
“strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience” Colossians 1:11, NASB
Meekel Langford; Monterey, Tn. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalms 19:14
Romans 8:38-39 HCSB
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor nay other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!”
Laura Maddox, Rhineland, MO
Therefore, if anyone is on Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Emily Baughman, Elk Grove, CA
“O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him..” Psalm 34:8 AMP
Jessica, Bellefonte, PA
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NIV)
Ina from Lancaster, PA
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9 ESV
Cara Kriz Tampa, Florida
Gal 5:1 NIV
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30 NIV
Lauren, College Station, TX ” Remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:3 ESV
Sharon, Houston, TX
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of the soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 ESV
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, with prayer and petition, and with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God which passes all understanding shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus to life everlasting. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Kris, Westbrook, ME
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. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Port Neches, TX
“There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love.” 1 John 4:18 (HCSB)
Krystn Marmion, Huntington Beach, ca
“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.
Ephesians 1:11 NIV
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 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. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.” 2 Cor 10:3-6 NKJV
Kellie in Peoria, AZ Hebrews 13:5 Your lifestyle must be free from love of money, being content with what you have. For himself has said, “I will desert you, and I will never abandon you”. LEB
Sorry for being tardy on this. I really wanted to find a verse that touched me, spoke to me and was right for the season I am in right now.
Molly
Paris, KY
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Marilyn Jeffers
Freeland, Washington
“Therefore, since we (I) are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us (me) strip of every weight that slows us (me) down, especially the sin that so easily trips us (me) up. And let us (me)run with endurance the race God has set before us (me). We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our (my) faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2a NLT
Michele Roberts, Portland, TX
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:4-5
Stephanie, Sarnia, Ontario
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each otherâs faults because of your love. (âEphesians⏠â4âŹ:â2⏠NLT)
Lauren, Atlanta, GA
Not to us, Oh Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory because of your love and faithfulness. Psalm 115:1
Tammy Pensacola, FL You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low. 2 Samuel 22:28 I LOVE the use of the word haughty!!
Hi-
Here is my verse for 1/15/15:
I forgot to put it in the computer:
Exodus 14:14 (NLT)
The Lord Himself will fight for you, you won’t have to lift a finger in your defense.
Glyn Phillips
Barry, Texas
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1: 2-4
Heather G.
Fredericksburg, VA
Romans 12:12 NIV
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Leslie Elliott, Portland, TN
“He who calls you is faithful, he will surely do it.”
1 Thessalonians 5:24 (ESV)
Maureen, Orlando, FL
“I took you from the ends of the earth,from its farthest corners I called you. I said, âYou are my servantâ; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you;do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you;I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” Isa 41:9-10
Amy Baker, Snellville, Ga
Psalm 90:17 (NIV) “May the favor of our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands.”
Michele, Zionsville, Indiana
“do not be anxious about anything but in everything 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil.4:6-7 NIV
Stevie, Fort Worth, TX
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
I Peter 1:5 NIV
Casting the whole of your care (all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all) on Him, for He cares for you affectionately, and cares about you watchfully. (Amplified Bible)
Maria Macomb, MI
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
Lisa Forsyth,IL
“He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge. His truth is your shield and armor. You do not need to fear terrors of the night, arrows that fly during the day, plagues that roam the dark, epidemics that strike at noon. ” Psalm 91:4-6 GWT
Pam – Kountze, Tx.
But You, Lord, are on high forevermore.
Psalm 92:8 NKJV
For You,Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. Psalm 86:5 NKJV
Isaiah 41: 9
I have called you back from the ends of the earth. You are my servant. I have chosen you and will not throw you away.
Sheila, Houston, TX – Ps 59:16 NIV
I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
Kimberly Balles, Rolling Meadows, IL 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Jennifer, New Boston, 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 heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
John 14:27 NASB
Melissa, Vicksburg, MS “Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” Philippians 2:14 NIV
Allison, Pleasanton , CA, Isaiah 43:19 “See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making away in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Dee Harrah Westerville, Ohio
Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Lisa Shultz from Round Rock, TX
WE LOVE BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US.
1 John 4:19
Brenda Johnson, Elk City, Ok
Let be and be still and know (recognize & understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted among the earth
Psalm 46:10 AMP
Carrie Starr, Rochester, NY
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 NIV
Rebecca Jamerson, Hallsville, TX
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 24-25, KJV
Emma Jamerson, Hallsville, TX
1 John 4:9, KJV
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Katrina Mintz
Birmingham, Alabama
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 4:9 NIV
Diane Enloe, Dothan Alabama
2 CORINTHIANS 4:17-18 NIV
“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.” âĄ
Therefore be imitators of God (copy Him and follow His example), as well-beloved children (imitate their father). Eph. 5:1 AMP