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.
Alayne Schrock, Lima, OH
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV
Charles Siple Rockledge FL
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. (â€Jeremiah‬ â€29‬:â€11‬ NIV)
Lamentations 3:22-24 New International Version (NIV)
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
I know it is supposed to be one verse….but these belong together…and feed my soul!
Bonnie Yancey
Normal IL
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.
Romans 6:6 ESV
Royse City, TX
Psalm 37:8-11 (NIV)
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
Royse City, TX
Psalm 37:8-9 (NIV)
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
Lynn Rock Hill, SC
“You’re my plce of quiet retreat, I wait for your Word to renew me.” Psalm 119:114
Jennifer
Beaumont, Texas
Psalm 103:12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Elaine, New Orleans, LA
Isaiah 48:17 HCSB
This is what the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel says:
I am Yahweh your God, Who teaches you for your benefit, Who leads you in the way you should go.
Grace, Chicago, IL Colossians 4:2 NASB “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.”
Janaga Trotter, Denison, TX
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (â€Matthew‬ â€5‬:â€16‬ NIV)
Janna, New Braunfels, Tx
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 5:3-4 NIV
Michelle Bordelon Prairieville, LA
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is spiritual worship.
Romands 12:1 ESV
Lana Coffee. Denison,Texas
Colossians 4:2 NIV
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Gal. 6:9 ESV
Shelley from San Angelo
Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. (â€Psalms‬ â€100‬:â€3‬ NASB)
Philippians 4:6
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for his answers.
James 1:2 NLT
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
Jamie Raborn from Ooltewah, TN
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.
Isaiah 40:8 NIV
Erin Hogan Pocahontas, AR
“He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him; He will also hear their cry, and will save them.” Psalms 145:19(1599 Geneva Bible)
Kendall, Tulsa, OK
The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is sound your entire body will be full of light. But if your eye is unsound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the very light in you [your conscience] is darkened, how dense is that darkness!
Matthew 6:22-23 (Amplified)
Patterson, CA
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5 NLT
Dawn Whiteford – Batavia, OH
Do everything in love.
1 Corinthians 16 : 14 (NIV)
Shelly Wilson, Fort Worth, TX
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (â€Colossians‬ â€4‬:â€2‬ ESV)
*Thanks to the newest blog post for the inspiration! It was “the one” I was waiting for…
Jill Adams, FL
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands just was we told you. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 NIV
Crystal Glisson shelby, nc
1 Peter 4:7-8
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self controlled and sober minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. ESV
Anne Lewis, Simpsonville, SC
“Oh my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8 NLT
Romans 8:38 -39 New International Version (NIV)
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Barb Fredin, Independence MN
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control.”
2 Tim. 1:7 ESV
Crystal. Saint John, New Brunswick Canada. “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride dressed beautifully for her husband.” Revelation 21:1-2. ESV
Teresa Maldonado, Austin TX,
Psalm 27:4 NIV
One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
Jennifer, Gainesville, GA
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all and therefore all died. And he died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, NIV
Gina Hollis, Canton, Georgia
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Daphne,AL
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 NIV
Debra McMaster, Houston, Texas.
“Who does great things, and unsearchable, marvelous things without number.”Job 5:9 NKJV
Angie, Farina, IL: ” A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” Proverbs 15:1
Brenda Greenville, SC
God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.
Ps. 46:1
Jennie Marie Knoll, DeWitt, AR
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2: 12b- 13 (NAS)
Jean Dlapa, New Berlin, WI
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Matthew 21:22 NIV
Carol, Mason City, Iowa
Nehemiah 4:15 When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plat and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the work, each to his own work. NIV
The lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear.
Whitesboro, TX
John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (NIV)
Anna B – Lake Geneva WI
“The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (I Samuel 16:7b, NIV).
Jessy from Houston, Tx:
“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.”
~1 Peter 4:8~ (NKJV)
Kimberly Mason, Tuscaloosa, AL
1 John 2:27 ESV
“But the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie – just as it has taught you, abide in Him.”
Michele, St. Paul, MN
John 14:26 HCSB
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit—the Father will send Him in My name—will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13
NIV
Sarah
Galatians 6:9-10 NLT
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.
At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity,
we should do good to everyone–especially to those in the family of faith.”
Cindy
Flemingsburg, KY
Pray, and keep praying. Be alert and thankful when you pray.
Colossians 4:2 The Voice Bible
Kim, Franklinton LA
But God is so rich in mercy; he loved us so much that even though we were spiritually dead and doomed by our sins, he gave us back our lives again when he raised Christ from the dead – only by his undeserved favor have we ever been saved.
Ephesians 2:4-5 TLB
Michelle
Eucha, OK
He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. Indeed the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.
Psalm 121:3,4