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.
Melinda Rodriguez, Sugar Land, TX.
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 (NIV)
Cheya, Houston, TX.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26 ESV
Darlene J., New Carlisle, Ohio
Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
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 hand. Isaiah 41:10
Lorie Reading, North Judson, IN. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV “For I know the plans I have for you,declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.”
Debbie Lane, Cypress, Texas
Be joyful 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
Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” John 14:23 (NIV) – Erica from MI
Donna D. Victoria Texas
Isaiah 30:15 NIV
In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.
Isaiah 64:4
“For since the beginning of the world Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, Nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him.”
Mickie Marter, Little Rock, Arkansas
“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.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NIV
Laurel Buwalda, South Dakota – In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8 NIV)
Pam, Wilmington NC
Psalm 91:9-10 NIV
If you say “the Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.
Traci, Wesley Chapel, FL
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22
Cyrena Lehman Kettle Falls, WA
Because this is right where I am…
“But HE knows them way I take; when HE has tested me, I will come forth as GOLD.” !
Diane, Fresno, CA
Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. ESV
Dana Plett – Gold River, BC, Canada
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (â€Ephesians‬ â€2‬:â€10‬ NLT)
Patty Vandaveer; Lake Jackson, Texas
“Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” 1 Corinthians 14:1, ESV
Danielle Wilbur, Clifton, VA
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.”
-Philippians 4:4-7
Jenn, Marana, AZ “Therefore, since we (I) are (am) surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us (me) strip off every weight that slows us (me) down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our (my)progress. And let us (me) run with endurance the race that God has set before us (me). We (I) do this by keeping our (my) eyes on Jesus, on whom our (my) faith depends from start to finish.” Hebrews 12:1-2a NLT
Kristi, Scottsdale, AZ
February 1, 2015
Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. (â€1 John‬ â€3‬:â€18‬ NLT)
Lyndsey Williams– Ferris, Texas
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV
Dana Johnson, Waterford WI.
I am writing this to you, my children, so that you will not sin; but if anyone does sin we have someone who pleads with the father on our behalf – Jesus Christ the righteous one. And Christ himself is the means by which our sins are forgiven, and not our sins only, but also the sins of everyone. 1 John 2:1-2 GNBDK
Claudia Wadzinski, Franklin, TN. “it’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves.” Psalm 127:2 MSG
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 esv
Deb Treat, St. Joseph, MO: Psalm 71:14, NIV: “As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.”
Hermann, MO
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him. Psalm 40:3
Carole (San Antonio, TX)
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16 (NASB)
Christina Ramsey Brady,tx
But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 nas
Psalm 29:1-2 (NIV)
1 Ascribe to the Lord,O mighty ones, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.
Cindy/Midland
Taryn from Corinth, Texas
Let all that you do be done in love.
1 Corinthians 16:14 (ESV)
Cynthia, Russellville, Arkansas
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5
We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard so that we do not drift away Hebrews 2:1
Sharon Krall, Lititz, PA
Romans 15:13 ESV
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Charmaine L., Jefferson City, MO
1 Peter 1:7 ESV
“So that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Karlys Fortner, La Place, LA
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3 ESV
The fear of the Lord leads to life. Then one rests content, untouched by trouble. Prov. 19:23 NIV
Robyn Lawing, Texarkana Texas
Jeremiah 17:7 NKJV “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is in the Lord.”
From Windham NH
Deuteronomy 31:6 AMP
Be Stong, courageous and firm; fear not nor be in terror before them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you.
liz
gladstone or
(where it is spring, sorry east coast praying for you)
2 Timothy 1:7New International Version (NIV)
7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
New International Version (NIV)
Joyce, Corvallis, OR
Romans 8:28 NLT
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 1:16 (ESV)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Anne-Marie, Munich-Germany
~Philippians 4:13 (ESV) “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Katie
Greensboro, NC
Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God, The Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
NIV
Sherrie Bell, San Antonio, TX
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy
Psalms 107:2 NKJV
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
-Psalm 51:6 (ESV)
Huntsville, Alabama
From the fullness of His grace, we have all received one blessing after another!
John 1:16 (NIV)
Carrie Beasley, Prattville AL
8 I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. 9 No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. Psalm 16:8-9 NLT
Shanae Coker, Tampa FL
Acts 5:41-42 NASB
“So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”
Rebecca from San Angelo, Texas: But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Philippians 3:7 ESV
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”
James 1:2-4 NLT