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.
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. Romans 14:19,20 NIV
I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
March 1 verse:
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales rather train yourself to be godly. I Timothy 4:7
Warsaw, In.
Jamie Cormier, Lufkin TX
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31, NLT
Carol, Wilsonville, Oregon “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.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
Nicole Powell – Plains, TX
while evil men and impostors go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. -2 Timothy 3:13 NIV
Tera, Gardendale, AL
John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth
Romans 3:23 RSV
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Gail, Anacortes WA
Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you.
1 Peter 5:7 NLT
Donna; Springfield, MO
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Romans 12:9 (NIV)
Janette PS 91:4. HCSB
He will cover you with His feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable.
Hebrews 4:13 (NLT)
Melissa
Waco, TX
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable.
Hebrews 4:13 (NLT)
Caroline
Waco, TX
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable.
Hebrews 4:13 (NLT)
Jenna
Waco, TX
Linda Dews, Orrville, OH
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
Karen from Bolivar MO
Romans 8:23-25 NIV
“Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
College Station, Tx
Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right, perservering and steadfast spirit within me.” Amplified version
Forgot to post this one last month.
Anne Simmons
Maple Valley, WA
“Have confidence in your leaders & submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”
Hebrews 13:17 NIV
Kay of Amarillo : “the Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zeph. 3:17
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up.
Karla B, Overland Park KS
Jennifer, Houston – 1John 4:18-19 NIV
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.
Cassie Davis, Orange Park, FL
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV)
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 7:7 NIV
Becky Crider, Dallas TX, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 NKJ
Rebecca; Cleveland, OH. “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
Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Julie Tillett
Corryton, TN
And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh. All who hear will laugh with me.”
Genesis 6:1 MEV
Samantha Gillis- Hatch, NM
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” -Isaiah 40:31 NLT
Rosa, Houston, TX
Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. Psalms 119:27 (KJV)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
God, You have taught me from my youth, and I still proclaim Your wonderful works. Psalm 71:17 HCSB
Asking for prayer as I struggle to memorize God’s word in the middle of an oh-so-busy and daily-changing life. Better late than never
Kimberly, Houston,Tx
He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV)
Deb Nance, Merced CA
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit
Who is in you
Whom you have from God
And that
You are not your own?
1 Cor 6:19
Kristen – Houston
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Late again this month, but here goes:
Rom. 4:13 ESV
For the promise to Abraham & his offspring (us) that he (we) would be heir(s) of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
Additions, mine.
Dale Lynam, Rocklin, CA
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope. NLT
Psalm 130:5 ESV
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:24 ESV)
Courtney
Seattle, WA
Romans 5:3 ESV
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,”
I missed the last two so I’m playing catchup ..
Feb 15- 2 Timothy 2:23-NIV
“Don’t have anything to do with fooled and stupid arguments , because you know they produce quarrels”
March 1- psalm 143:8 -NIV
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love , for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life! “
Alexia
Champaign, IL
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
Proverbs 11:30 NIV
Lynda Martin
2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV
“Therefore, we do not lose heart though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
Sarah Moen, Fairfield ME
finally , brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent, or praiseworthy. Think about such things.
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Stacey Jeannett Austin,TX
Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
Tenille Rauls, Mountain Home, AR
The will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat beat upon them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.
Isaiah 49:10 NIV
1 Peter 5:10(ESV)
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
Patti Knobbe from West Point, NE
Acts 4:29-31 (NIV)
“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
Those who live in the shelter of the Most high will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.Psalm 91:1
Belton TX
1 Samuel 12:24 NIV
But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart, consider what great things He has done for you.
“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NLT