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.
Amy from Trussville, Alabama
John 1:16 NIV From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.
Romans 6:12 NIV What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin, how can we live in it any longer?
Pam Lake Mary, Florida
James 1:19-20~ “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
Sue Groveport, OH
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
Psalm 37:5-6 NIV
Psalm 34:15
“The eyes of the Lord on the righteous and his ears are attentive
to their cry.
Woodbridge, Virginia
For, Whoever would love life, and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. he must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. (1 Peter 3:10 – 12)
Is not your fear of God your confidence, And the integrity of your ways your hope?
Job 4:6
Kim Connor, Austin, Tx
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Be on your guard;stand firm in the faith; be courageous;
be strong. Do everything in love.
Pam, Indiana
Psalm 51:10 (MSG)
God make a fresh start in me. Shape a Genesis week from the chaos in my life.
Leigh Weisnger, Woodway, Texas
That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, āNo eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.ā 1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT
Christy Segars, Monroe, GA
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Colossians 3:14 (NIV)
Pam,Campbellsburg In. But you are a chosen generation,a royal priest hood,a holy nation.His own special people that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out if darkness into His marvelous light. 1st Peter 2;9 NKJV. NSFL
Rebekah Patin, Groves, Texas
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 4:8
Elaine Brady, Jefferson, GA
My lips will glorify You because Your faithful love isābetter thanālife. Ps. 63:3 HCSB
Cindi Latson, Madison, MS
“Thus says The Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, The Lord of hosts: I AM the first and the last; besides Me there is no god.” Isaiah 44:6 (ESV)
Psalm 28:7 ESV
The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts and I am helped; my heart exults and with my song I give thanks to him.
Lauren, Columbia, SC. “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'” Matthew 16:24-25, ESV.
Diane, Runnells, IA “When I called, You answered me, You made me bold and strong.” Psalm 138:3 CJB
Kim McCulley knoxville tn: we love him, because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19
so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:28
“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 NIV
Karen. Orem, Utah
Psalms 56:3&4 HCSB
When I am afraid I will trust in You. In God whose Word I praise, in God I trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Cyndi from Sterling, VA
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34 (NIV)
Jennifer Fermanides, Hope Mills, NC
Psalm 27:4 (NIV)
“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.”
Terri, College Station, TX
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Him that strengthens me”
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:14 (NLT)
Garner, NC
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.ā Joshua 1:9 NIV
Cheryl, Harleysville PA Jesus answered him,”The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31 NKJV
Tracy Pace, Hernando, MS
O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love. Psalms 59:17
Elizabeth Thompson, Florence, AL. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romansā¬ ā12ā¬:ā2ā¬ NASB
Ann, McKeesport PA
“I have loved you with an everlasting love”
(Jeremiah 31:3a)NIV
Mona Boyd, Spokane, WA
Jeremiah 29:11 New International Version (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,ā declares the Lord, āplans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Dalhart, TX
“Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
2 Peter 1:4 NIV
Dripping Springs, Texas
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy ā meditate on these things.”
Philippians 4:8
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us our time of need
Hebrews 4:16
Hi Beth!
I would love to join your memory team but am just now seeing it with verse 3. I need to catch up verses. Can I still post verses 1 and 2 on those blog posts? I’m also going to see if my daughters would like to do this with me.
Thank you so much for all of your encouragement and enthusiasm!
I don’t have authority as a leader in this, but I don’t see why you can’t? I didn’t sign any form or anything, I just started posting, and I’m 5 days late on verse 3 cause I’m having a hard time deciding.
Yes, Laurie. Nicci is correct! We are so glad to have you; jump in anytime! Just go back to the first 2 posts and put your verses there.
1 John 4:4 (NIV) āYou, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.ā
Heather Southammavong, Jacksonville, FL
Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Locust Fork, AL
2 Thessalonians 3:5King James Version (KJV)
5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
Lora Leftwich, Indian Land, SC
29 āThe most important one,ā answered Jesus, āis this: āHear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.ā(NIV)
“Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.” -Psalm 63:3, ESV
Michelle, Alberta, Canada
“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God would count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.”
2 Thessalonians 1:11 NIV
Kim Burk, Thatcher, Az
For He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:14 (NIV the old version)
Julie, Fort Wayne, In
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 niv
Ashlee
Snow Camp, NC
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.
Romans 15:13a NIV
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26
Wendy Puckett from Mayfield, KY
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Helena in Paradise PA– (sorry I’m Late!)
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” ~~ Psalm 143:8
Amy, Arlington, VA, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 ESV
Gwendolyn, Mesquite, TX
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:20 NIV
Heather H, Pflugerville, TX
2 Cor. 10:5 (NASB)
We are destroying every speculation and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ