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.
Ruth Moore. Winston Salem, North Carolina
“the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory”. (â€Colossians‬ â€1‬:â€26-27‬ ESV)
Kathy, Pittsburgh, PA
“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Psalm 30: 5 (NIV)
Cheryl Folkner
Woodstock, GA
So will my word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 NASB
Ruth Kitchener, ON
Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. Isaiah 26:8 (NIV)
Julie, Deer Park, TX Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 NIV
Leslie Johnson, Lenoir, NC
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Karen, Dallas, TX:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4 (NIV 1984)
Vicki, Grapevine, TX
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways. ~ Psalm 139:3 NIV
Cara Gabrielse, Parker, Colorado. “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. Psalm 145:3, NIV.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (â€Ephesians‬ â€2‬:â€10‬ NIV)
“…for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
‘Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'” -Ephesians 5:14 NIV
They are to stand every morning to thank and to praise the LORD, and likewise at evening, (â€1 Chronicles‬ â€23‬:â€30‬ NASB)
Wendy Bashor – Lone Butte, BC. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14 (ESV)
Love
Bears all things
Believes all things
Hopes all things
Endures all things
1 Corinthians 13.7
Tessie Mayo, Brownwood, TX
“A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.” Luke 6:45NLT
Isaiah 40:30,31 (ESV) Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted. But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles;they shall run and not be weary;they shall walk and not faint.
Diane, The Villages, FL
Luke 11:10 English Standard Version
For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Candace, Ella and Annalise Flower Mound, Tx
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
We’ll break down the verses and work on them through the month of Feb.
Bettie Tolar
Pasadena, TX 77504
2 Corinthians 3:5 NIV
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.
Karen, Trenton, OH
Be here – the king is wild for you. Since he’s your Lord, adore him.
Psalm 45:11 MSG
While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6He is not here, but has risen.”
Luke 24: 4-6a ESV
Valerie Weber from Wadsworth, Ohio:
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)
Martha Roberson from Warrensburg, MO
I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. (â€John‬ â€12‬:â€46‬ ESV)
Deanna Bone from Gilbert Arizona,
Psalm 119:33-34 (ESV)
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it to the end.[a]
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
Janet Daytona Beach (Romans 15:5) (TNIV)
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had
Star Hansen of Duvall, WA:
“Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope.” Psalm 119:49 (NIV 1984)
Dekotah
Marietta, GA
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. ~ 1 Timothy 4:12
(NIV)
Jodi, Sweetwater, TN – For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV)
Hi Jodi! My husband and I have friends in Sweetwater…Scott and Lea Watson. Any chance you know them?! Also, I love the verse you picked. Love, Your SSMT Sista Dawn.
Philippians 4:4-7 NIV
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Sandra, Rock Hill, SC
He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Psalm 112:7 NIV
Elise, Columbus OH
1 Peter 5:7 ESV
“Casting all your anxieties on him because he cares for you”
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13: 12 Praise God for all His love, grace and peace.
Deborah, Glasgow, Scotland
So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 (NIV)
Karen S. – Bloomington, IL I John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanest us from all sin. KJV
Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation–
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strong hold of my life–
whom shall I fear?
NIV
Linda Matsko, Indio, CA
1 John 5:21 (NLT)
Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your heart.
Anita Vogelaar from Ede, Holland
Geliefde broeders en zusters, als God ons zo heeft liefgehad, moeten ook wij elkaar liefhebben.
1 Johannes 4: 11 NBV
Cindy, Deming, NM
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Merry Ashley, Alameda, CA
Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength… and love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. Mark 12:29b-31 (NIV)
Elaine from Woodbury, MN
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
Psalms 5:3 (NIV)
Hilary Mitchem, Olathe, Kansas
The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts the Lord shall be safe.
Proverbs 29:25. NKJV
Lindsay Loper, Chattanooga, TN
“yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.” 1 Corinthians 8:6, NIV
Colossians 4:5-6 NKJV
Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Paulette P. Mays
Elmer, La.
Suzy from Cedar Falls, IA
2 Timothy 4:7 ESV
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Tracey Boyko, Niskayuna, NY
NIV Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
psalm 67: niv
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us.”
Kathy Kaherl, Burlington CT
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God, it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:6-8 NIV
Terry, Odessa, FL
“Everything is permissible” – but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible” – but not everything is constructive. 1 Corinthians 10:23, NIV
Janica Williamson, Swan Lake, (Bigfork)Montana
2 Peter 1:5-7. HCS
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, brotherly affection with love.
Joan Colby, Richland WA
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NIV