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.
Carrie from Cary, NC
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16 KJV
Jocelyn Greer, SC
John 16:22 ESV
So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
And my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Julie. Albuquerque
Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer (life), being (both) alert and intent in (your praying) with thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2 AMP
Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer (life), being (both) alert and intent in (your praying) with thanksgiving.
Colossians 4 : 2
Denise
Asheville, NC
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV)
to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Mary Alice Dulweber
Dallas, TX
Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for Him.”
Lamentations 3: 22-24 NIV
Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient bearing with one another in love.
Kimberly Herrod Splendora, TX
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. (Romans 10:9-10 NLT)
Pennsylvania Patty:
“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.”
Psalm 62: 1-2 NIV
This verse helps me to remember that when I am (we mare)daily bombarded with the devastating news of violence and destruction I need to open my heart wider to keep God closer to my soul.
Liz from sugar land, tx
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of of power, love and a strong mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7
Renee Miracle – Westfield, IN
Revelation 4:11 NIV “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. Psalm 91:3 (NIV)
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, “Destroy them.”
Deut 33:27 NIV
Fear is so paralyzing. If I run to God’s care, His everlasting arms will be under me. And His everlasting arms could be as powerful as the strongest, fastest jet launched bombs I could imagine. I pray for all those who are held hostage.
Auneca from Donalsonville, GA
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for one another and for everyone else, just as ours does for you
1 Thess 3:12 NIV
Roswell, New Mexico
Revelation 17:14 NLT
Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because He is Lord of all Lords and King of all kings. And His called and chosen and faithful ones will be with Him.
Alicia, cold Chicago il
“You hem me in behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.” Psalm 139:5 niv
Christine Arnold, Atlanta, GA – “Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord for our hope is in You alone.” Psalm 33:22 NIV
Psalm 121:1-2
A song of ascents. I will raise my eyes towards the mountains. From whence shall come my help? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. NASB
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 NRSV
Maureen LaMar, Navarre Florida
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. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Sonja Vander Meulen, Colorado Springs, CO Romans 6:14New International Version (NIV)
14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
June, Elburn, IL I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world. John 16:33 ESV
‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Jer 33:3
Becky Nelson, Whiteville, NC
Look, I go forward, but He is not there.
And backward, but I cannot perceive Him.
when He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him;
When he turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him.
But He knows the way that I take;
When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
Job 23:8-10
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
Cindie
Fort Myers, Florida
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23 NKJ
Joy from Newnan, GA “Their children will be mighty in the land robust on the earth. And the homes of the upright how blessed! Even in the darkness light dawns for the upright, sunrise breaks through for the gracious, compassionate and righteous.” Psalm 112:3-4 Message
Kelly Parker, Shreveport,La. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105:4. NIV
I have hidden your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you. Psalm 119:11
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it lingers, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3
Casey-Henrietta, TX
With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. Psalm 18:29 NKJV
Carrie Hriblan Buckhannon, WV
Romans 15:13 ESV
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
Proverbs 3:11 NLT
MY CHILD, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
James 4:17 NLT
Remember it is a sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
Susan – Madison,MS
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13, NIV
Anna Claire – Madison,MS
Always be joyful. Never stop praying.
1 Thes. 5:16,17 (NLT)
Liz Stewart, Brooklyn Center, MN. Isaiah 53:12 b (TNIV). For he bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.
Susan – Maynard, MA
Psalm 37:5 – ESV
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.
Debra Shorts from Alexandria, Virginia
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Revelation 3:15-16 NIV – I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Holli Edwards, Jacksonville AL
1 John 4:21 ESV
And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
Toni Gray from Mansfield,TX. The right word at the right time is like precious gold set in silver. Proverbs 25:11
Lisa Lawrence, Jonesboro, Arkansas
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20, NIV
Angelica
Trussville, AL
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” John 15:9 ESV
Angelica
Trussville, AL
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Phil 4:6 (ESV)
Melissa Caledonia,MN
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
Ally Velderman, Memphis, TN:
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11
Hasty, Taylor Mill, KY.
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”
Romans 10:14