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.
Houston, TX Philippians 4:8 NIV
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Nancy, Sanger, TX
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Eph 1:3 (ESV)
Jackie. Mobile, Al
” You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; and light will shine on your ways.”
Job 22:28 NASB
Kearney, NE
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right and pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Phillipians 4:8 NLT
Shaci Tillman- aztec, nm
16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (â€Hebrews‬ â€4‬:â€16‬ NIV)
Psalm 13:5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Thank you Beth Moore. I am learning to trust God in the small things and in the bigger things.
Lyli, Fort Lauderdale
“Blessed is the man who listens to Me, watching daily at My gates, waiting at the posts of My doors” (Proverbs 12:18, NKJV).
Jennifer, Etowah, NC: Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping Your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame having my eyes fixed on all Your commandments.
Psalm 119:5-7 ESV
Sandy Costello, Oak Grove, LA
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For 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 KJV
Kari Ellis, Bloomington, MN. “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” Luke 1:45 NRSV
Houston, TX “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
Ashlee Jones, Johnson City, TN. “Because He bends down to listen I will pray as long as I have breath” ~Psalm 116:2 (NLT)
“Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.” 2 “We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.”
1 Thessalonians 1:1,2 NIV
Maddy Clemens, Los Angeles, CA
For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves are not wise. We however will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us- a sphere which especially includes you. 2 Cor. 10:12-13 NKJV
Margaret Robinson, The Woodlands, TX Galatians 5:1 ESV
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Amanda Grant, Calgary, Alberta, Canada – “I have not departed from the commandment of his lips, I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.” Job 23:12 (NIV) (Sorry so late! I was in Florida without internet!)
Tracy Randol – Archie, MO – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (â€Joshua‬ â€1‬:â€9‬ NASB)
1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
KJV
Betsy and Lydia; Flower Mound, TX
“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!” 1Chronicles 16:8 (ESV)
Psalms 55:22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
Debbie Salmonson, Reno, Nevada
“I would have despaired if I had not believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:13-14 ESV
Michelle Dunmire, Garner, NC
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 â€4‬:â€6-7‬ NASB
Francine S., The Woodlands TX
“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” NIV
Glynis Cozza, Berthoud, Colorado, “Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” Exodus 4:12 NLT
Phyllis Norwich, CT
There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. Romans 3:11 NIV
Glynis Cozza, Berthoud, Colorado, “Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” Exodus 4:12 NLT
Karen Kaiser, Fort Dodge, IA. “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness”. Proverbs 31:26 NKJV.
“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 (NIV) Kristin, Clearwater, FL
Janice Lisle. Martinez Ca
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12
Susan, Portland OR 2/1/2015
“Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.” (â€Psalm‬ â€116‬:â€2‬ NIV)
Sande Wilkie
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Psalm 34:14 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 no longer rebuke you,but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Julie Lee, Calgary AB
Look at the nations and watch — and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. Habakkuk 1:5, NIV
Jen from Round Rock, TX
2 Thessalonians 1:12 NIV
We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hollie Bennett, Winston-Salem, N.C. “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.” Psalm 28:7 ESV
Casey Petruszak
Cairo, GA
He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.
– Psalm 147:3 (NLT)
Simsboro, LA
For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9a NIV
JA – St. Charles, IL
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NLT
Andrea, Orlando
And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. Revelation 21:3 NKJV
Dawn Laird Auburn NY Galatians 5:23 HSBC gentleness, self control. Against such things there is no law.
Kim Bunting, Colfax, Louisiana – Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2
James 1:2-7
2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways.
Sarah Vint
Des Moines, IA
James 1:2-8 NIV
2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways.
Missy Loudenback from Chicago, IL
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22
Sherry Campbell, Nowata, OK.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
NKJV
Telena Haneline, Maryville, TN. Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. Matthew 9:22 NIV
Ally Haneline, Maryville, TN. “And Abraham stretched out his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.” Genesis 22:10 KJV
Amanda Reynolds, New Waverly, TX. “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)
Ashlynne Reynolds, New Waverly, TX. “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 (NLT).
Mary-Chattanooga,TN
So faith comes from hearing and hearing from the word of Christ.
Romans 10:27 NASB