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.
Bernadette Godwin, Mtn home AR. For not everyone has faith but the Lord is faithful and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 1 Thes 3:2-3 NIV
Donna Lange, Mobile, AL
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13 KJV.
Karen( Oconomowoc WI)
Because of Christ and our faith in Him,We can now come boldly and confidently into Gods Presence. Ephesians 3:12(NLT)
Ceffie Haught Bridgeport, WV
1Thessalonians 4:11
Seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.
Chrissy, Glenville,NC
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8 ESV
Hebrews 11:6. And without faith it is impossible to please Him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek him.
Alyssa Taylor, Columbus, MS: “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” Ephesians 4:2, NLT
“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” Ezekiel 36:26 NLT
I like the way that translation is worded!
Keren Grimaldo- Lubbock, TX
If you worship me, the Lord your God, I will bless you with food and water and take away all your illnesses. (â€Exodus‬ â€23‬:â€25‬ GNB)
Cassie Williams, Bells, TX
Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps His word. ~ Hebrews 10:23 The Message
Betty, Austin, Texas You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Psalm 139:3 NIV
Jennifer Swift, OKC, OK
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else.
1 Thes 3:12a NIV
If you abide in Me and my words abide in you you shall ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.
John 14:7
Danice
Atlanta, GA
Melissa, Los Lunas, NM
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 AMP
Susan in Chapel Hill, NC:
” I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know this full well”
Psalm 139:14 NIV
Heidi~Lindale, Texas
Psalm 62:7 NIV
My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Kali Binkley, Jefferson City, MO: “But I trust in your unfailing love. I rejoice because you have rescued me” Psalm 13:5 NLT
Colossians 4:6 (NIV)
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Stephanie Reynolds, Austin, TX, You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Psalm 73:24, NLT
Amy, Portland, MI
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:3 NIV
Robyn W- Lebanon MO May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. (â€1 Thessalonians‬ â€3‬:â€12‬ NIV)
JoAnn Minot ND
He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:3
Sandra, Imlay City, MI
1 Corinthians 10:31 HCSB
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.
Please give me a second chance! Instead of Hebrews 12:3 I would like Hebrews 12:2 to be my memory verse this time:
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2 NIV
Kathryn, Opelika, AL
“If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
II Chronicles 7:14 NKJV
Laura Graves, Charleston, SC. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment. Philippians 1:9 ESV
Elizabeth – Cedarburg, WI
Proverbs 3:5The Message (MSG)
5 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Joy, Tampa, FL
Isaiah 12:5
Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things;
let this be known to all the world.
Rachael, Memphis, TN “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 NLT
Mary, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
“Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14 (ESV)
Sandi H. (Holt, MO): “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
Mitzi, Long Beach, CA
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:10 NIV
“And those among you will rebuild the ancient ruins;
You will raise up the age-old foundations;
And you will be called the repairer of the breach,
The restorer of the streets in which to dwell.”
Isaiah 59:12 ~ New American Standard
Katie, Bismarck, ND
Romans 8:5-6: For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,
Lindy – Spokane, WA
1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it shold be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
Sloan, Norman OK
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
Lamentations 3:25-26 NIV
Becky Frazier, Stromsburg, NE
Psalm 59:16 ISV
“But I will sing of your power and in the morning I will shout for joy about your gracious love. For you have been a fortress for me; and a refuge when I am distressed.”
Ruth, Providence
He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation;for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities–all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:15-17 RSV
Claire, Norman, OK “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10
Julia Isaacs from Lynchburg, VA.
“All these promises are made to us, my dear friends. So then, let us purify ourselves from everything that makes body or soul unclean, and let us be completely holy by living in awe of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1, GNT)
Pat Rickman, Escondido, CA
The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit. Psalms 34:18 HCSB
KIMBERLY MCCLURE, PALMDALE, CA
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isa 26:3 NIV
Cindy Costa, Bright, Indiana. Jeremiah 30:17 KJV For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds saith the Lord; because they called thee an outcast saying this is Zion whom no man seeketh after.
Lisa Jones, St. Louis,Mo.
You are the God who performs miracles;you display your power among the peoples
Psalm 77:14 NIV
Beth, Sydney Australia
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.”
Ps 27:8 NLT
Kelley, Oak Point, Texas:
Beth! I just posted this verse, then scrolled up to see what others were posting…what a joy to see you posted the same verse from the same translation! I pray that today you are indeed talking with the Lord.
Bobbiejo Louisville, Ky
Jeremiah 29:11
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.
Chris DelMoro, Beckley,WV
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Marietta,Ga
My flesh and my heart faileth; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. (â€Psalm‬ â€73‬:â€26‬ ASV)
Colossians‬ â€2‬:â€6-7‬ NIV
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Candice from Wallingford, PA
Deuteronomy 32:4 (NIV)
He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong,
upright and just is he.