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.
Arlington,Tx
But he said to me,”my grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”
2corinthians 12:9
Loren from Spring, TX
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)
Jan P (Orlando, Florida)
Ephesians 6:16 (NIV)
Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”
Lamentations 3:26
It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
Mara, Milton, FL
So I always take great pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.
Acts 24:16 ESV
1. Cor. 13:8 (NIV)
Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
Angela Scott Lexington, Tennessee
In returning to Me and resting in Me you shall be saved; in quietness and in trusting confidence shall be your strength. Isaiah 30:15 AMP
Diane, Durham, NC
Jeremiah 29:11-13
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 a hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Darla McNamara, Longview, TX Matt 8:2 & 3 NIV “A man with leprosy came and knelt before him (Jesus) and said, “Lord, if you are willing you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I AM willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.
Micha 7 vers 18a
Wie is een God als U, die schuld vergeeft en aan zonde voorbij gaat
Teri Campobello,SC “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. 1 Samuel 2:2 NIV
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
1 Peter 5:8 NIV
Kaydee J, Colorado Springs “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” NIV
CORRECTION
Philippians 4:13
James 3:17-18
17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
Debra P., Kingwood, TX, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Valerie
Lubbock, TX
I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Is. 49:15b-16 (NIV)
Stacy Fountain
Kate Fountain
Mary Dean Fountain
Bess Fountain
Dothan, Alabama
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2, NLT
*Sorry this is late. I am away and have had difficulty getting online. Before leaving home, I chose my next verse*
Mary Beth, Fredericton, NB (Canada):
“I would have despaired unless I had believed I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living”.
Psalm 27:13 (NASB)
Linda
Mora, MN
Show me, O Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days. Let me know how fleeting is my life. Psalm 39:4
We are warriors. Victors. More than overcomers. Bloody and bruised, we still get back up. Lip busted, we open back up our mouths – this time the louder – and call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised and so shall we be saved from our enemies. (Psalm 18:3)
Mary Ann Davis
Clarksdale, MS
For the Word of the Lord is upright, and all His work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.
Psalm 33:4-5
Proverbs 18:7 A fools mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
Sarah Clancy, Pineville, La
13 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.NIV
Lauren Wells, Loveland, OH. “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:11-12 ESV
Stephanie Hayslip, Fort Worth, TX.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11, ESV
Holly Davis, Prairie City, Iowa
John 15:5 NKJV
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
Donna, Plano, TX:
The law of the LORD is perfect restroing the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Ps 19:7
Janice, Springville, AL
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 ESV.
Melissa Martin, Orlando, FL
No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:37-39 NLT
Susan, Springfield, VA: Psalm 34:5, “Those who look to Him are radiant with Joy.” HCSB
Psalm 101:5-8 NIV
Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him I will not endure. My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me. No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house. no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence. Every morning I will put to silence all the wicked in the land; I will cut off every evil doer from the city of the Lord.
Brenda, Ottawa, Canada
Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendour, doing wonders? Exodus 15:11 NRSV
Brianna from Jonesboro, AR
“Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.” -Psalm 105:4 (NIV)
Valerie Fernandez, Houston, TX: “Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6 NIV
Stacey Flynn from Charleston, SC
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. Psalm 27:4 NIV
Deb Rowzee , Brandon, MS
“He who finds a wife finds a good thing. ”
Proverbs 18:22 NKJV
Jennifer, Norfolk, VA
Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25 (NIV)
Beth, Pleasant Plains, Il
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV
Amelia
White Bear Lake, MN
“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.”
Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Vickie, Pella, Iowa
Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 1 Thessalonians 4:9 NIV
Naomi Josephson
Red Rock, Texas
James 1:22-25 NKJV
(22)But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.(23)For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;(24)for he observes himself, goes away and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.(25)But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
Aack! One of these times I am GOING to be on time.
Kelli, Spokane, WA
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
ESV
Ann, Clifton Park, NY. Jesus, replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” Luke 18:27 NIV
Elizabeth Clevenger, Midland
Col. 4:2 ESV
Col. 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. Leviticus 26:12 NIV
Terry Bremer, Fanhoes, Portugal. “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3 NIV
Paula, OKC, OK: Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13 NIV
Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.
Hosea 6:3 NLT
Karin, Medina, MN
“so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me void, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Isaiah 55:11