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.
Psalm 103:4-5 NIV
(God) who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion:
Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.
Fruita, CO
If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy, but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.
If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything as plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.
If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 MSG
Malorie Elrod – Sharpsburg GA : Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. (â€Psalm‬ â€126‬:â€2-3‬ NIV)
Melissa Robertson, Sulphur, LA
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:3-6 (NIV)
Abbey Le Roy, Bluefield, West Virginia. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV)
Connie Rose, Moss Bluff, LA
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:3-6 (NIV)
Courtney Lyon, Midland, TX
Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in Hope”….
Ali from Cheney Wa.
1 Peter 3:4
Your beauty should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
Cheryl Lynn Sword
Flint, TX
Do not be anxious about anything, but by prayer & petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6 NIV
Kristen Schwark Indianapolis, IN
For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.
1 Thessalonians 5:5 ESV
Erin, Joplin, MO
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11
Tracy Sweat- McPherson, Kansas
Proverbs 18:15
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
(NIV)
Madeleine Corrales: And He passed in front of Moses proclaiming “the Lord the Lord,the compassionate and gracious God slow to anger abounding in love and faithfulness ,maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickness, rebellion, and sin.exodus 34-6-7
Charity, Cardiff, Wales
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10
Deb Dinnen Springfield, Ohio
We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. (â€Romans‬ â€6‬:â€6‬ ESV)
Jann Sanicola Holtsville, New York
Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Kay Smith, Dickson, Tennessee
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Shani Pereira, Los Angeles, CA
Isaiah 40:31 AMP
Romans 8:28 NLT And we know hat God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Diane, Williamstown WV
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all
unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9. NIV
Julie Kearns, Jefferson City, MO
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV
Lani, Charlotte, NC, “…and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy 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)
Natalie Dawes, Calgary, AB, Canada
Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the house of Jacob their sins.
Isaiah 58:1 (NIV)
Jennifer; Chattanooga, TN
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. Psalm 28:7 NIV
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
Vanessa from Calgary, Canada
Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises he will appear, He will come to us like the winter rains , like the spring rains that water the earth Hosea 6:3 (NIV)
Hicksville, NY.
“Because everything will soon come to an end, be sensible and clear-headed, so you can pray.”–1Peter 4:7
Tina Lyon – Lubbock, TX
Proverbs 22.6 “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he gets old he will not depart from it.”ESV
Melisse, Slippery Rock, PA
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is our, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things
Sarah Whitt, Fort Worth, TX
“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”
â€Psalms‬ â€141‬:â€3‬ NASB
Desiree Reimer. Calgary, AB
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
Psalm 73:25 ESV
Janet Allen, Huron, Ohio
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
Jen, MD
Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Luke 18:27 NIV
Amy, Everett WA
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)
Heather from Valparaiso, Indiana
John 15:5 (NASB) “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
Amy McMillan from Macon, GA:
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6 (ESV)
Barb McCafferty from Elizabeth City, NC
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly[a] with your God.
I forgot to leave the verse! Micah 6:8
sorry
Vicki Knott, Greenwood, SC
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
Judy, Littleton, NC
The Lord is my strength and my defense, he has become my salvation. He is my God and I will praise him, my father’s God and I will exalt him.
Exodus 15:2 (NIV)
Kelly in Arkansas
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
Carrie Guion, Wentzville, Mo.
For we live by believing and not by seeing. 2 Corinthians 5:7
2502 Fahlsing Road
Joanne, North Richland Hills, Texas
You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it. Matthew 21:22 NLT
Libby Smoot from Stasburg, Va. “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)
Karen Cosmano, Vista, CA: Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. Hebrews 7:25 NLT
Valerie Veen, Chandler, AZ. “Many are the plans of a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Tammy Ellis, Oneida, TN
Proverbs 31:30 Kjv
Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fearth The Lord, she shall be praised.
Kassidy Reidenbach Dover, Ohio Matthew 7:8 NIV
“For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:14 ESV