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.
Andrea Robledo, San Angelo, TX
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 NIV
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down , but not destroyed.
I will be submitting for Grannie Jackie Jenkins, Youngstown, Ohio the following:
Jan 1st: Psalm 24:18 ESV “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it” Jan. 15th Matt 4:4 NIV “Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” Feb. 1st Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven”.
(Grannie doesn’t have a computer) 🙂
And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Mark 10:47 ESV
Debbie in Portland, OR
Lori in Columbus, GA
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. (â€1 Corinthians‬ â€13‬:â€1‬ ESV)
1 Peter 5:10 NIV
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
oh no forgot the version for her 🙂 Jackie Jenkins, Youngstown, Ohio. Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV, “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven”
Amy, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10 NASB
“He must become greater, I must become less” John 3:30 NIV
Kerrie Wilson, Jonesboro, AR. “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” Psalm 105:4 ESV
Anna, Houston, TX “Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31
Debbie-Amarillo Texas
“Rejoice in hope, patient in affliction and fervent in prayer.”
Romans 12:12. NIV
Alicia L Clinton, Balch Springs, TX, for they are life to those to find them and health to one’s whole body – Proverbs 4:22 NIV
June, Coarsegold,CA: “Everything is permissible – but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible – but not everything is constructive.” 1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. Jeremiah 17:7. NIV
Kim – Rutledge, TN
Lee Anne, Deerfield Beach, FL
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man.
Colossians 3:23 NIV
Pat, Portland Texas
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Psalm 51:3 (NIV)
Madison Heights, VA
Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29b
Cherie, Poulsbo Washington:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13. NIV
Tina from San Antonio My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Ps 121:2
Johnnie, Wake Forest, NC
This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. ESV
I John 1:5
Jessica, Clarksburg, WV
“May my prayers be set before you like incense, may the lifting of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Set a guard over my mouth,O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.” – Psalm 141:2-3 (NIV)
Georgetown, TX
Philippians 2:3 NIV
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”
Donna, Mt. Juliet, TN
Sow righteousness for yourselves,
reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
for it is time to seek the Lord,
until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.
Hosea 10:12 NIV
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus our Lord.
Shannon, Buda TX
And provide for those who grieve in Zion-
To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness 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.
Isaiah 61:3 NIV
Stephanie, Humble TX
Romans 12:10 NIV
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Crystal, Greensboro, NC
Jeremiah 15:17 from NIV
I say alone because your hand was on me.
Becky- Kentucky
Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV) The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness;
He will quiet you by His love;
He will exult over you with loud singing.
James 3:17 NIV
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Hockley, TX
Deut. 14:2
“You have been set apart as holy to the Lord your God, and he has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be his own special treasure.”
Deut. 14:2
Crystal, Greensboro, NC
For the spirit God gave is doesn’t make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7
Sorry, I’m so late. Here’s my verse 3.
But 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. – Psalm 59:16 NIV
Darlene Colson Herod, IL
Search me, God, and know my heart;
Test me and know my concerns.
See if there is any offensive way in me;
Lead me in the everlasting way
Psalms 139:23-24 HCSB
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Eph 2:10
Rene’, Mineola, TX: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB)
Therefore, my dear brothers (sisters), stand firm.
Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully
to the work of the Lord, because you know that your
labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
Angela~Tempe,AZ Ephesians 1:17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
Tami, Fall City, WA – Proverbs 3:5-6 HSCB “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways and He will guide you on the right path.”
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted [n]by God”; for God cannot be tempted [o]by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin [p]is accomplished, it brings forth death.
James 1:13-15 (NASB)
Tiffani Bessonette
Ruth, MS
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us.
Philippians 3:13-14 NLT
Grace Barnette, Taylorsville, Ga
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18 NASB
Evy Hamm, Arcadia CA “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NIV
Rockmart, GA
John 15:4 “Abide in ME, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” NASB
Paula, Albertville Alabama –
But God knows me. He is testing me and will see that I am as pure as gold. Job 23:10 ERV
Lindsay R. Phoenix, AZ
Now may The Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV
Alison- Jackson Mo. James 1:3-4 Because you know that testing produces perseverance. Let persevere complete its work in you so that you will be mature and lacking in nothing. James 1:3-4
Psalm 62:1 NIV
Truly my soul finds rest in God my salvation comes from him.
Terry, Winston-Salem
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
Psalm 91:11-12
Terry in Louisa, VA
Colossians 3:5-6 (NIV)
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.”