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;
9 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.
10 But He knows the way that I take;
when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
11 My foot has held fast to his steps;
I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
12 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.
Leslie Robison from Elkhart, IN
Psalm 3:3 (KJV)
But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
RaeLeen – Bloomington Indiana –
” Those who look to God are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame. ”
Psalm 34:5 (NIV)
Kelli Gatewood, Avon IN
Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my lover among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. He has taken me to the banquet hall and his banner over me is love. Song of Songs 2:3&4 NIV
Oh, YES!! True! True!!! This will be a future verse for me. Thank you!
Christine, I quoted this scripture to my husband of 23 years and told him I was asking the Holy Spirit to bind this on my mind and heart. His smile was priceless!
Cecilia Bramhall, Pflugerville, TX
2 Thessalonians 3:16 HCSB
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”
Leisa
No Salt Lake, Ut
KJV John14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me. John14:6
Oak Harbor, WA
Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at the right hand are pleasures forever more.”
Debbie Evans, Ojai, CA
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, love, and a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (King James 2000)
Dawn Deare, Lafayette, LA
Deuteronomy 1:32
In spite of this, you did not trust in the Lord your God, who went ahead of your on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go.
I always forget the translation!! NIV
“He said to mankind, “The fear of the Lord is this: wisdom. And to turn from evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28 HCSB)
Mandy – Proctor, WV
Alaina // tyler, TX
Numbers 6:24-26 (The Aaronic Blessing from the NIV)
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Jenny Arena, KC Missouri
Nehemiah 1: 11″O Lord let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”
Karen from Unionville, PA
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NAS)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
Lori, Ft. Walton Beach, FL
2 Peter 1:3(KJV)
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.
Taunia
Exodus 23:25. HCSB
Worship The Lord your God and He will bless your bread and your water.
I will remove illnesses from you.
Isaiah 26:3English Standard Version (ESV)
3 You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Carol Nemitz from Tx:
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous one, and the Lord JEHOVAH delivers him from all of them. And He will keep all his bones that not one of them will be broken.”
Psalm 34:19-20
Edmonds, Wa
Psalm 89:16 NIV
They rejoice in your name all day long; They exult in your righteousness.
Collosians 3:14 NIV – And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Robin Freeman
Garland Tx~~
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
Psalm 56:3 NIV
Mandy Parker
Powder Springs, GA
Isaiah 12:6 (NLT)
Let all the people of Jerusalem shout his praise with joy! For great is the Holy One of Israel who lives among you.”
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Phil 4:6 (NIV)
Hope, Paducah KY, Joshua 24:15b NIV
But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.
Heather Webb, Lake Wales, FL
“God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey Him.” Philippians 2:13 (CEV)
Spokane, WA
For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. Romans 8:3 NIV
Katie
Marble Falls, Texas
Philippians 4:6 ESV
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God.”
Sheri Hummelstown, PA
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.
Psalm 18:2-3 (NIV)
Sheri New Atlanta, TX You will show me the path of life. In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 NKJV
Mindy B., Gloster, LA
Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem:
I REMEMBER THE DEVOTION OF YOUR YOUTH,
HOW AS A BRIDE YOU LOVED ME
AND FOLLOWED ME THROUGH THE DESERT,
THROUGH A LAND NOT SOWN.
Jeremiah 2:2 NIV
**a prayer to return to devotion & love & steadfastness**
Psalm 62:1-2 (NIV) – My soul finds rest in God alone; my salivation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
Cassi Paris, TX
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18
Inspired by your blog this week.
Andi, Boston. “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2, ESV.
Karen Moncrief, Leesburg, GA
Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Whose hands have gathered up the wind?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and what is the name of his son?
Surely you know! Proverbs 30:4
Robin McCartney
Rockwall, Texas
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 NIV
Corley in Conway, AR:
Colossians 4.2: Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. ESV
Ann from Senatobia, Ms.
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NLT)
Debbie, Cannon Falls, MN “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV
Tara Kendrick, Austin Tx – Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Hi there, I am Chantelle Miles from Cape Town, South Africa-
late posting but have had my verse since the 16th, & have changed it a couple times since-I am sincerely grateful for your encouragement Beth so here goes; psalm 139:5 (amp) “You have beset me and shut me in – behind and before, You have laid Your hand upon me”
Welcome, Chantelle!
Natalie- Austin, Tx
Proverbs 19:20
Listen to advice and instruction and in the end you will be wise.
Stephanie, Queen City, Texas:
6)”Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ. to the glory and praise of God. Phil. 1:11
Jo, Fremont, CA
“God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,”
Psalm 46: 1-2 ESV
Karen Kernersville, NC
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3
Julie, new braunfels, tx Philippians 1:3-4 I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
PatWilfong, GreenBankWV
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness;..
And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8.26,27. NRSV.
(wow, now that some divine feedback, reading that post just now, and it like it a reply almost to my first scripture, I just sat down a little while today and pulled out 5 scriptures true to my last 2 months and chose these 3 I have now entered for 1,2,and 3. thank you for showing me I am where god knows I am)
filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. Phil. 1:11
Linda New Piketon, OH
Then you will experience God’s peace which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and mind as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
Parke Ridgeland, MS An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 2 Timothy 2:5 ESV
PatWilfong, GreenBankWV
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness;..
And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8.26,27. NRSV
Tamara, Highfalls, NC
Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you;”