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.
Proverbs 30:5 ESV
Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
April Jackson, Lagrange, Georgia. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT)
Lisa Whittlesey college station Tx
Romans 12:2 nkjv
“And do not be confirmed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Jordan Kuss, Lubbock, Texas
“All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
Karen Birkenholz, Oklahoma City, OK
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139: 23-24. KJV
Judy from Poulsbo
Ephesians 2:8,9 NASB
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of Go; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Coshocton,Ohio Psalms 27:14 (NASB)Wait for the LORD ; BE strong and let your heart take courage,Yes wait on the LORD.
Tracy (White lake,mi) Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love. Ephesians 1:4 (AMP)
Gay Beck,
Plain City, OH
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
Lisa Vira, Washington, NJ And the two will become one flesh so they are no longer two, but one flesh. Mark 10:8 (AMP)
Shonda Vielbig, Ventura, CA “”For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8 NIV
“I am the vine ;you are the branches. If any man remains in me and i in him,
He will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NIV
Sabrina
Lincoln, Nebraska
Psalm 91:11
For He will give His angels charge concerning you,
To guard you in all your ways.
Donna from Guelph, Ontario (Canada)
“In Christ we can come before God with freedom and without fear. We can do this through faith in Christ.”
Ephesians 3:12 (NCV)
Vikki Stemler, Jeffersonville, Indiana
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20, NIV
Psalm 55:22 (NLT)
Give your burdens to the Lord,
and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
The Netherlands
Romeinen 11:33 NBG
“Hoe onuitputtelijk zijn Gods rijkdom, wijsheid en kennis, hoe ondoorgrondelijk zijn oordelen en hoe onbegrijpelijk zijn wegen.”
Garland, TX
Job 37:5-7 NIV
“God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rainshower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ So that all men he has made may know his work, he stops every man from his labor.”
Heather, Louisville
“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:17 (NIV84)
Beth, Dyersburg,TN
For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7B
“I will set my eyes on them for good… I will give them a heart to know me.” Jeremiah 24:6-7 ESV
Jennifer Chatman
Jonesborough, TN
Lori Johnson Auburn, MA
Psalm 18:1-2 I love You, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock,my fortress, and my deliverer,my God, my mountain where I seek refuge,my shield and the horn of my salvation,my stronghold.
HCSB
Jami, Shelby, NC
Nahum1:7 The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.
From East Tennessee!
“Let my soul be at rest again, for the LORD has been good to me. He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. And so I walk in the LORD’s presence as I live here on earth!” Psalm 116:7-9 NLT
Beth Burrell GreerSC
As newborn babies, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby 1 Peter 2:2
Kelly, Duncan, SC
Be completely humble and gentle. Be patient, bearing with one another in love. -Ephraim. 4:2 NIV
Anna Lynch, Greensboro, NC
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
Tamela Ward. Piedmont, SC. By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. (ā2 Peterā¬ ā1ā¬:ā3ā¬ NLT)
Angie, Hayti, MO, [Growing in grace] they shall bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love and contentment]. Psalm 92:14 (AMP)
Susan, Oak Ridge, TN
He brought me to the banqueting house and his banner over me was love.
Song of Solomon 2:4
ESV
Paige Lacey, Sandersville, Ga
Continuing Colossians 3 verses 14-15
“And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” NASB
Becky Baskin, San Antonio, TX.
Matt. 6:33-34 ESV “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.'” NLT
Chandler, OK
Proverbs 3:1-2 NKJV
“My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.”
Tracy Gonzalez, Fuquay Varina, NC
For the Lord will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught. Proverbs 3:26 NKJ
Kim, Yorktown, VA
Proverbs 16:24 (NIV) Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Johnson City, TN
Psalm 23:1
KJV
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Lori Kruck, Westville NJ
“Donāt worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience Godās peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (āPhilippiansā¬ ā4ā¬:ā6-7ā¬ NLT)
Christy Rhodes, Anderson, IN. “In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything he has can’t be my disciples.” Luke 14:33 NIV
Jill Hill, Houston TX, Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interests of the others.
Diane Largo, Fl
Psalm 70 (NIV)
1- Hasten, O God, to save me; come quickly, Lord, to help me. 2- May those who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. 3- May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” turn back because of their shame. 4- But may all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!”
5- 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.
Melissa, Perry, GA
Galatians 5:16 (Message)
My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit.
Diane – Roswell, GA
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18 ESV
Leanna from Vandalia, Missouri
You are my portion, O Lord; I have promised to obey your words.
I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.
Psalm 119:57-58 NIV
23 And Jesus said to him, āāIf you canā! All things are possible for one who believes.ā Mark 9:23 ESV
Charlotte Keifer, Houston, Tx, “For by grace you have been saved, through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8
Sorry I am late-getting over the flu!Romans 8:18 NIV. “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Bethany Sullivan from Converse, IN. My verses are John 15:3-4
” You are already clean because of the Word I have spoken to you.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit in itself unless it abides in the Vine,
so neither can you unless you abide in Me.”
Renee Hall, Jacksonville, FL – “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matt. 21:22 NIV
Kristi Law, Midland, Texas
2 Corinthians 3:4-5New International Reader’s Version (NIRV)
4 Through Christ, we can be sure of this before God. 5 In ourselves we are not able to claim anything for ourselves. The power to do what we do comes from God.