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.
Kelly Womack
Fort Smith, AR
Hebrews 11:6 “Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek him.” HCSB
Julie Myers, Rutledge, TN
Psalm 136:1
Give thanks to The Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. (NIV)
Teresa Dubyoski, Upperco, Maryland. “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3
Jena Delk, Merritt Island, FL
Though one goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves.
-Psalm 126:6 (HCSB)
Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men.
Colossians 3:23
And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7(NKJV)
2 Cor 4:11,12
KJV
For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus sake, that the life also of Jesus might be manifest in our mortal flesh. So then deathe worketh in us,but life in you.
Karen Eachus, Boyertown, PA
Isaiah 40:29-31 (NIV). “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Janet Greene
Franklin, TN
“I will sprinkle clean water on you and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from you all impurities and from all your idols. 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 36:25-26 NIV
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Matthew 28:19 (NIV)
“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.”
Portia Jordan, Hendersonville, Tn.
Psalm 37:4
“Delight thyself also in the Lord ; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart”.
Ariel Richardson, Dallas, TX: You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you (I have planted you), that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting (that it may remain, abide), so that whatever you ask in the Father in My Name (as presenting all that I AM), He may give it to you. -John 15:16 AMP.
Psalm 32:10 (NET Bible)
(B)The Lord’s faithfulness overwhelms the one who trusts in him.
“He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23 :3-4 NIV
Tabitha, Raleigh NC
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)
Tulsa, OK But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. (â€2 Corinthians‬ â€2‬:â€14‬ ESV)
Cathy froelich. Altus,Oklahoma Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me,he must deny himself,and take up his cross and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24 nasb
Kelhe Hatfield, Larkspur, CO – The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7 NIV
Gail Ouimette, Tumalo, Oregon
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
James 2:12-13 NIV
Margaret, Port St Lucie, Ps.3:5 NKJV
I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.
Katie H, Boston, MA “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Matthew 10:16
“See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
Mary Lupo, Novi, MI
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tender hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance foe each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, The Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3: 12-13 NLT
I’m having trouble leaving my 4th verse. Other web sites come pop up. Im confused. Help.
Never mind. Somehow I found the right spot
Hudson OH
Luke 6:27,28 ESV
27 But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you
Carole Savannah, GA
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)
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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
] Romans 12:12 NIV
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Diane White, Williamstown WV
“But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.”
Titus 3:9
Kelli Swisher Beavercreek, Ohio
He knows the way that I take (He has concern for it, appreciates and pays attention to it.) When he has tried me, I shall come forth as defined gold (pure and luminous).
Job 23:10 (AMP)
James 1:7-8 Amplified
For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything {he asks for} from the Lord,
{For being as he is} a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), {he is} unstable and reliable and uncertain about everything {he thinks, feels, decides}.
Sheila Armstrong, Union City, Indiana
Job 23:10 NIV
But He knows the way I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold
Carolyn, Granbury
My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2 NASB
“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.”
Romans 12:2 NIV
Stacey B., Fayetteville, GA
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:17 (ESV)
Donna from Allen, TX
III John 2 NKJV
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health; just as your soul prospers.”
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of God endures forever…Isaiah 40:8 (NIV). Jana S., Houston TX
Beth
Huntsville, AL
The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
Galations 5:22-23
Elke Ingersoll – Lake Geneva, WI: “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Colossians 2:2,3 (NIV)
So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.
Acts 27.25 ESV
Psalms 5:3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;in the morning I lay my request before you and wait expectantly.
Pamela Green Waynesboro, GA
John14:6 KJV
Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26 NIV, Amy Conine, Corinth, TX
Holly, Tuscumbia, Alabama
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold. Job 23:10 ESV
Kami Pope, Dallas, TX– “The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Pr. 18:10 ESV
Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
2 from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
3 for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.
Psalm 61:1-3, ESV
Psalms 143:8
Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.
All your sons will be taught by the Lord and great will be your children’s peace.
Isaiah:54:13
Brittany Kay. Daytona Beach, Florida
We want each of you to show the same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. – Hebrews 6:11-12 ESV
Yes, I say, you will find me, and I will restore you to your land. I will gather you from every country and from every place to which I have scattered you, and I will bring you back to the land from which I had sent you away into exile. I, the Lord, have spoken.
Jeremiah 29:14
Shelley Brigham City, Utah
Psalm 51:10 ESV
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.