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.
Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
the Lord answered me and set me free.
Psalm 118:5 (ESV)
Murray, KY
Can’t believe I’m next to Christine Caine on the blog!!!
Well, at least I was next to Christine Caine when I first posted, but I forgot my address so had to re-post.
Andrea,Pottstown
Sharing this verse Ms. Beth, it just stirred my spirit.
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
Laurie Goble, Strathroy ON CA
“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Eph 4:29 NLT
Julia from Michigan, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13 KJV
Tracy – Wausau, WI
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. NLT
Angelica (Angel) Chilton, Hillsboro, Texas
“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.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Rebecca Oliver Mobile Alabama The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18
Dana, MO
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases, Psalm 103:3
Sarah, Atlanta, GA
If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask Him, and He will gladly tell you. James 1:5 (TLB)
Ginger Bales, Paragould, AR
“Since you have been raised to new with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.” Colossians 3:1 NLT
Jennifer Fike, Melbourne FL
Lamentations 3:25-26 MSG
God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It’s a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God. It’s a good thing when you’re young to stick i tout through the hard times.
Ashley B., Little Rock, AR
Job 26:14 (ESV)
“Behold, these are but the outskirts of His ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of Him! But, the thunder of His power who can understand?”
Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst; he is a warrior who can deliver. He takes great delight in you; he renews you by his love; he shouts for joy over you.
Carolyn Valente, Chicago, Illinois Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.Galatians 1:10 NIV
Annette Baal, Stouffville ON Canada
Jude 3
Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. NKJV
Christine, San Diego (Working my way through Ps 27)
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,even then I will be confident.
One thing I ask from the Lord,this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
Psalm 27:3-4 NIV
Mickey, Blue Springs
But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay.
Psalm 70:5 NIV
Stephanie, WM, NJ:
“So then, my friends, because of God’s great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer. Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.”
Romans‬ â€12‬:â€1-2‬ GNT
Then Jesus said, “Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NLT
Memory verse #
Fort Sill, Oklahoma
Katie Grace Sadler
Mayo FL
Sharing this verse with Ms. Beth Moore and a few others:)
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth pure as gold.
Job 23:10 NIV
Jamie, Coupeville, WA
It is beter to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. Psalm 118:8, NASB
Brianna Taeuber Waco, Texas
Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5
Margaret Cameron
San Ramon, CA.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither present nor future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans8: 38 & 39
Cheri VerMurlen
Bothell, WA
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NLT
I just always smile with anything from 1 Corinthians…
Heidi Wyatt, Amarillo, TX
“For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.”
Habakkuk 1:5
The Lord will guide you always, He will satisfy your needs You will be like a well watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11 NIV
Ezekiel 36:26 NIV
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you
I will remove from your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh
Megan F; Boise Id; If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 1 Cor 13:1NIV
There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1 NIV
Sharon, McKinney, TX
James 4:8 NIV
Come near to God and He will come near to you.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Pet 5:8 ESV
Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NLT
Anna Jenkins, Fort Collins, CO
The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!
(â€Habakkuk‬ â€3‬:â€19‬ AMP)
Katera, Kentwood, LA
James 1:6 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.
Carolyn
Indianapolis, IN
Daniel 2:22 HCSB
He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.
Hockley, TX The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darknees for the prisoners. Is 61:1 NIV
Lori Sadler from Mayo, Florida: Phil. 4:6 Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (NLT)
Chelsea from Allen, TX
Joshua 1:9
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Sarah House, Columbus, OH – “So 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. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10(NLT)
Linda, The Woodlands, TX
“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
Katy, Springfield, AR. Everything written in the past was written to teach us. The Scriptures give us strength to go on. They encourage us and give us hope. Romans 15:4 NIRV
Lisa Holland, Florence, SC
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2 NIV
Kacee. Texas
I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me. Phil 4:13 KJV
Yanna, Bryan, Texas. “The LORD called Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying, speak to the people of Israel and say to them, when any one of you brings an offering to the LORD, you shall bring your offering of livestock from the herd or the flock.” Leviticus 1:1,2
Leah Eller, San Antonio, Texas
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
Shannon, Rogers, AR 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ESV
My verse this week is Isaiah 43:18-19New Living Translation (NLT)
18 “But forget all that—
it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
19 For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
I have been having a rough time and this really encouraged me! Forget all that, it is nothing compared to what I am going to do! Thank you Lord for this confirmation and encouragement!
Romans 15:13 NIV
“May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Antoinette Krietemeijer, Hoofddorp, the Netherlands
(Europe)
Job 19:25,26 (NBV)
Ik weet: mijn Redder leeft en Hij zal ten slotte hier op aarde ingrijpen. Hoezeer mijn huid ook is geschonden, toch zal ik in dit lichaam God aanschouwen.
Virginia Beach, VA
Gen 3:8-9 ESV
(8)And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. (9)But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”