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.
Tanya from Lorton, VA
Jeremiah 6:16(NIV)
This is what the Lord says:
Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.
Melissa Carnrike, Holtwood, PA
“I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.” Psalm 40:1-3 (NLT)
Lillian, Fort Worth, TX
II Corinthians 10:4-5
“The weapons we fight with are not weapons of this world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretention that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
II Corinthians10:4-5 NIV
Kathy, Alliance Ohio Proverbs 16:3
“Commit your activities to the Lord and your plans will be achieved.” HCSB
26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. Mark 4: 26-27
Who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases;
PS.103:3
Sarah James
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Sandy Smith, Holiday, FL “Take delight in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NIV
Tami Head, Houston, TX. But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold. Job 23:10
Isaiah 30:15 KJV
For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.
Toni Gray in Mansfield, TX. Proverbs 25:11 (ESV) A word filly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver
A gentle answers turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 NIV
Angie Mehrtens. Cadet, Missouri
Proverbs 3:5. NIV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding;
Richelle, Kingston, TN
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Gal. 6:9 NIV
Kim, Gaylord, MI
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You.
Beth from Skiatook, OK
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
Psalm 40: 1-2 NIV
Erica Whitlock Hatch, NM
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 NIV
Shawn, Tampa, FL
Psalm 62:8New International Version (NIV)
Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Brenna, Chatham, IL “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)
Stesha Clayburgh, Las Cruces NM
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”
Proverbs 13:12 NLT
Kelley, Rachel, Mikayla, Emily, Pamela, Jami, Lacie, Kasi, Renee and Hannah-Rowlett, TX- Hebrews 12:3 “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (ESV)
Laura Proctor, Madison, MS
Everything is permissible for me but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. I Corinthians 6:12 NIV
Lisa from Moyock, NC
Let all you do, be done in love.
1 Corinthinians 16:14 NIV
Cristy Ricker, Goodlettsviile, TN
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:14 ESV
Philippians 4:4-6:
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Tammy Embry,, AL
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12. (ESV)
Hendersonville, TN But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
From Bend, OR
Romans 12:2 NIV
“Do not conform 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.”
Tammy from Charlotte, AR
Phillipians 2:3 (NIV)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves.
Jamieb
Corbin,ky
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. (â€1 Thessalonians‬ â€3‬:â€12‬ NIV)
Vickie Green, Nashville, TN
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. Philippians 4:11 NLT
Bonnie Wallace, Charleston SC
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge. His truth is your shield and armor. (â€Psalms‬ â€91‬:â€4‬ GW)
Momence, IL
“How good and pleasant it is when brothers (and sisters) live together in unity.” Psalm 133:1. NIV
“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
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 NIV
(in memory of Stone Pope, 17 months)
Protect me, God, because I trust in you. I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord. Every good thing I have comes from you.”
Psalm 16:1-2
Becky from central PA “You will keep in perfect peace him who’s mind is steadfast because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the Rock Eternal.” Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV)
Tiffany from Nicholasville, KY
Joshua 1:8
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
(was working on it but forgot to post)
Akiko Stengele, Spring Hill TN
Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; when their mouth shut, they seem intelligent. Proverbs 17:28 NLT
God we come into your Temple. There we think about your love.
Psalm 48.9
Mississauga, ON, Canada
I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.
Jeremiah 15:21(ESV)
Sue H Asheville NC
Forgive me for being so late. Psalm 141:3 “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” NIV
Holly from Alpharetta, GA
And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Romans 12: 1 NLT
Kendra A, Housston, TX
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself, sufficient for the day is its own trouble” Matthew 6:34 esv
I’ve been memorizing this one but I forgot to post it… Erin Marken, Highlands Ranch CO
Isaiah 40:28
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27
“When there are many words, sin is unavoidable, but the one who controls his lips is wise.”
Proverbs 10:19 (HCSB)
Sheryl,Rocky Mount, NC
Psalm 119:165 Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble. NLT
Jennifer Chandler-Mason Hall, TN.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith.”
Mary Fanara, Independence, MO
“Come, let us return to the Lord; for He has torn us, that He may heal us; He has struck us down, and He will bind us up.”
Hosea 6:1, ESV