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.
Dawn, Beavercreek, OH
“But for you who revere my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in His wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.”
Malachi 4:2 (NLT)
Tammie Head, Houston, TX. “I can pray this because his divine power has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence.” 1 Peter 1:3, NET
Ashley Kurtz,Kingwood, TX, “Seek the kingdom of God above all else and he will give you everything you need.” Luke 12:31 NLT
because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
James 1:3 Life Application NIV
Michelle
Bossier City, LA
and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:2 NIV
Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
Luke 12:31 MSG
Sheri, Austin TX
Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good work, which God has created beforehand, that we should walk in them
ESV
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Hebrews 4: 16 NLT
Covington, LA
“Rejoice always,pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Tina From San Antonio. I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the
Lord God, who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. Rev 1:8 NIV
Tara Ford, Beech Creek, KY
John 11:35 NIV
[35] Jesus wept
“For the Lord God is a sun and a shields; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk up eighty.
Oh, Lord of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.
Psalm 86: 11:12. NRSV
Titus 3:4-7
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, no because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
I didn’t have a scripture selected and opened my Bible and saw this. God loves us so much!
Tina from San Antonio. Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it because the time is near Rev 1:3 Niv
Susan
Tyler, TX
October 8, 2015 at 4:05 p.m.
“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:19 (NIV)
Natalie,Frisco, TX
“The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”
Psalm 32:8 NLT
Natalie, Frisco, TX
“The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8 NLT
Proverbs 31:30
NIV
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
You are the light of the world….in the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:16 NLT
Debbie Berman. Boyd, TX
“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:4 ESV
Julie Andrews
Chagrin Falls, OH
Leviticus 20:26 NIV
You are to be holy to me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.
Jen Andrews
Chagrin Falls, OH
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your Spirit
Philippians 4:23
Susan Jezek, St. Petersburg, Florida
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
Forgot to write the version! NRSV 🙂
Amy Smiley, Williams, AZ
“It is for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1 NIV
Always be full of joy in the Lord.
I say it again–rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
Philippians 4: r-5 NLT
Mandy, Raymond, MS
“For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.”
1 Thess 1:4-5
Crystal Parrott, Everett, Ontario Canada
“James a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations. Greetings. James 1:1 NIV
Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says “look I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem a firm and tested stone. It is precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken. Isaiah 28:16
Tina in San Antonio. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is Christ. Eph 4:15 NIV
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ , God forgave you. Eph 4:32 NIV
Nesha Vest – Mechanicsville, VA
“He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber” Psalm 121:3
Amy
Buda, Texas
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may se your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
Holly from Alpharetta, GA
Psalm 40:3 Ye set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.
Johnine from Anna, Texas
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.
Psalm 91:3 NKJ
Sara, Greenfield, IN
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15
Julie Barnes, Arkansas
Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much
Better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.
1 Timothy 4:8 NIV