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 onĀ 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)
8Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā āBehold, I go forward, but He is not there,
and backward, but I do not perceive Him;
9Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 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.
10Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā But He knows the way that I take;
when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
11Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā My foot has held fast to his steps;
I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
12Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 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).Ā (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.
Beth Hurst, Ypsilanti, Michigan
“For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 103:11-14
Lauren Clontz, Danville, KY
“Say this: ‘The Message of God, the Master, to Jerusalem: You were born and bred among Canaanites. Your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite.'”
Ezekiel 16:3 The Message
Amy; Milton, WA
“When down and outers get a break, cheer. And when the arrogant rich are brought down to size, cheer. Prosperity is as short lived as a wild flower, so don’t ever count on it.”
James 1:9-10, MSG
Annie; Milton, WA
That this god our god forever and ever will guide us forever Psalm 48:14 ESV
Is. 6:3
Holy,Holy,Holy is the Lord of hosts. The whole earth is full of His glory.” NASB
Pam G, Centreville, VA
John 16:33 ESV
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
“For my thought are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. – Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV
Denise, Rosemount MN
Gina, Olathe, KS
James 1:5 NAS
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be give be given to him”.
Stacey Bult, Fayetteville, Georgia
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
Kimi Miller, Papillion, NE
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 (NIV)
Carol Tippie, Cincinnati, Ohio
1 John 2:27 As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. NASB
If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all thing God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever, Amen. 1Peter 4:11
1Peter 4:11(NIV)
Kate from Cheney, WA
Yet the Lord set his affection upon your ancestors and loved them, and He chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today. Deuteronomy 10:15, NIV
Tammy Cosby; Siloam, NC—–John 14:21 Whoever 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 him. (NIV)
Sandra Debter, Springville, Alabama Blessed is the man who trust in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.
Jeremiah 17:7
The Lord is my shield; my heart trust in Him and I receive help.
My heart rejoices and I give thanks to Him with my song.
Psalm 28:7
CEB
Karen Collier from the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
Beth, Toronto: “No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.” Romans 4:20-21 (ESV)
Melinda Brown, Olive Branch, MS “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of The Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17 NAS
“You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.” Psalm 139:3 (NIV)
Jennie Strope, Enid, OK
Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it-the LORD is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
Jeremiah 33:2-3 ESV
Psalm 27:3, “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident”.
Genevieve Herndon, Colorado Springs, CO
2 Corinthians 5:6-7 ESV
So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.
John 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh is no help at all. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life”. ESV
Naomi Rozak, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada:
“…Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:6b-7, NIV
Kellie Goedken, Sheldon, Iowa
In the same way, let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16, NIV)
Tammie Maier Hillsboro, Kansas
You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways.
Psalm 139:3 (NIV)
Carlie from Henderson, NV
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NIV
Liz Yarbrough, Atlanta
“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”
Matthew 16:25-26 ESV
Kim Peterson from Vista, CA
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 1 Peter 5:2 NIV
Marilyn, The Plains OH says:
My soul finds rest in God alone. My salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; I shall never be shaken. Ps.62:1-2 NIV
Ruth Baca, Modesto, CA
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.
John 1:17-18 NIV
Kristen Lucas, San Diego, CA: Psalm 9:10 NIV- “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
Rebecca Amaya, Elk Grove, CA
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
1 Cor. 10:31
Brady Bradshaw, Cedar Rapids, IA. “That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” Romans 8:28 (MSG)
Nacogdoches, TX
“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
1 Corinthians 9:19 (ESV)
Kim E., Bennett, Ia
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the 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.
Romans 8:37-39 (NIV)
AMEN, and AMEN!!
But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thess 3:3
Stacey Gaines
Corpus Christi, TX
Isaiah 61:3 (NIV)
…”and provide for those who grieve in Zionāto bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor…”
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, she is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17
Kate, London, ON
I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works, oh LORD. My souls knows that full well. Psalm138:14 ESV
Katelyn Kraft, Columbus, OH
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always for the Lord God is the eternal rock.” -Isaiah 26:3-4 (NLT)
Natasja, Tauranga NZ
Joshua 1:8 AMP
This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.
Cheryl Cash Fort Portal, Uganda
“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
Mary James
Orangeville, Ont, Canada
Zeph 3:17 NIV
The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you,
In his love he will not rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.
Kate K., Lafayette, IN
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace-loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.” James 3:17 NLT
Kathi Griffin from Macon, GA:
But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children (sons) of the light and children (sons) of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5
Shelby McGill, Frisco, TX. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. (NIV)
Rebecca – Houston, Texas – John 15:13-14 NIV (red letter version!)
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command.”
Danielle, Wolcottville, IN
“…for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” – Phil 4:11 ESV