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.
Cedar Hill, TX
Seek the Lord and His strength;
Seek His face evermore.
Psalm 105:4 (NKJV)
Rachel: Cape Girardeau, MO
“Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress:I shall not be shaken”
Psalm 62:6(NIV)
Pam Bayless, Castaic, Ca. 2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Liz Klein, Costa Mesa, CA
“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Romans 12:1 NAS
Soozi; Lexington, KY: May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. (â€Colossians‬ â€1‬:â€11‬ ESV)
Modesty Brantley, Myrtle Beach, SC “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”– Esther 4:14b, ESV
Chris, Simpsonville, SC
Isaiah 26:3-4 “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.
Esther. Jonesborough TN. Exodus 14:15 ESV. The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward.”
Amanda, Rockwood, TN, – “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer” Romans 12:12 nkjv
I am late but I am still here! Thank you so much Beth for sharing that wonderful word up there!! What an awesome God we serve!
Bonnie Tolson, Outer Banks, NC. “Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23,24
Karen – Crossville, TN
Joshua 1:9. NIV
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Megan, Sydney, Australia
Acts 1:8 HCSB
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in
Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Lisa Veach, The Woodlands, TX
But He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10
KJV 1Peter 4:8 “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves. for charity shall cover a multitude of sins.”
Becky, Chattanooga, TN
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”
Philippians 2:13 NIV
Janice Meyer
Euless, Texas
Sorry I am late I have been out of pocket. But I have not been idle with memory time.
My verse is:
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 ESV
VERSE 3: MATTHEW 12: 28-30 “COME TO ME, ALL OF YOU WHO ARE WEARY AND CARRY HEAVY BURDENS, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST. TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU. LET ME TEACH YOU, B/C I AM HUMBLE AND GENTLE, AND YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. FOR MY YOKE FITS PERFECTLY, AND THE BURDEN I GIVE YOU IS LIGHT.”
I too am late but so excited to have found this exquisite way to memorize and share! Now, to catch up 🙂
Kris Covington, Lehi, Utah
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6: 26 – NIV
But as for me, I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more.
â€Psalms‬ â€71‬:â€14‬ NASB
Cindy, Henrietta, TX
Dana Walters- Covington, LA”Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Bekah, Minneapolis, MN
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10
Bethany
Modesto, Ca.
1 Thessalonians 3:12 (HCSB)
And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we also do for you.
Karen, Amarillo, TX: Ephesians 6:12: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ESV
Pam Heath, Flint, TX 10. But He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. 11. My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. Job 23: 10-11
Proverbs 30:8 KJV Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches, feed me with food convenient for me.
Jan, Olney, Texas
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
Isaiah 54:10 NIV
Carrie
Prior Lake, MN
Proverbs 29:11 NIV
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
Patti, Shalimar,FL, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.” Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)
Proverbs 15:3 NIV The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
Greenville, SC
1 Thessalonians 5:5
You are children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
Emily Hardesty
Plano, TX
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)
Tanya Rathmann, Sierra Vista, AZ
“God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline” 2 Timothy 1:7
Casey, San Antonio, TX. “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear and will trust in the LORD.” Psalm 40:3 NASB
Susan Stevens, Huntsville, AR “In the same way let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NIV
Beth P, Roswell, GA
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
His faithful love endures forever.”
Psalm 118:1 NLT
Cynthia Leverett, Brooklyn Park, MN
“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:
‘In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength..”
Isaiah 30:15a NIV
Renee Roth, Cathedral City, CA
Phl 4:11 NIV
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Robin, Chaska, MN
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Hewbrews 10:24 NIV
Peggy White, Orange City IA
Psalm 16:3 ESV
As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.
Just getting started now, but will get caught up!
Natalie, Taylors, SC
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)
Lonnie Hall – Brunswick, GA
James 3:3-4
3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.
Kathy, High Point, NC
Joshua 1:9 NLT
This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Late with my 3rd verse…
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:34 (KJV)
“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)
Tiffany Tolbert Tulsa, Oklahoma
“No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11 NIV
Thank you so much precious Ms Beth for your words of encouragement. I love that even though I am so far away from all of you all we are doing this together; the family of God is so beautiful! And sorry this is so late!!
Hannah Marks, Harare, Zimbabwe!
Hosea 2:14-15a ESV
“Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her. And there I will give her vineyards and make the valley of Achor (Trouble) a door of hope.”
Leah, Westerville, OH
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12 NIV
“And God said, ‘Let there be light ‘ and there was light.” Genesis 1:3 (NIV)
Tami
Platte, South Dakota
“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.”
Isaiah 30:15 NIV
Cath, Knox, PA
“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” @ Tim 1:7 ESV