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.
Julie Medway Port Macquarie NSW Australia
A grasping person stirs up trouble, but trust in God brings a sense of well-being.
Proverbs 28.25 The Message
Nancy, St. Augustine, FL:
For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but my loving kindness will not be removed from you, and my covenant of peace will not be shaken, says the Lord who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 NASB
Joan (Coppell, TX): Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV
Beth Brown, Murfreesboro, TN
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole SPIRIT, SOUL & BODY be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I Thessalonians 5:23 (NIV) GOD IS AWESOME!
Nathalie Van Hoorebeke, Birmingham, UK
God can do anything, you know –
far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!
He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us,
His Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Eph 3:20 MSG
Stephanie Morris, Norman Ok
Proverbs 19:21 “There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel- that will stand.” NKJ
Debbie Reid/ Sherwood, OR/ “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for it will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:34
Suzy Zumbro, Anchorage AK
Psalm 91:11-12 (ESV) nor he will command his angels concerning you yo guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.
Nancy
Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
3. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look God’s home is now among His people! He will live with them, and they will be His people. God Himself will be with them.
Rev 21:3 NLT
Danyelle
Beavercreek, OH
Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands.
Psalm‬ â€119‬:â€66‬ (NIV)
Anita Kratz, Gilbertsville, PA
“And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness–secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.”
Isaiah 45:3 NLT
Billie Jauss, Naples, FL “Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.” 1Timothy 4:14
“Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Lees Summit, Mo.
Habakkuk 3:19
The sovereign Lord is my strength, he makes me as surefooted as a deer able to tread upon the heights
Lei Ann Brown, Princeton, KY ” Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:30 (NASB)
April from Stanley, NC
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (KJV)
Desiray Pool – Boerne, TX
The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14 NIV
Deana Johnson from Visalia, California: Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” John 14:23 NIV
Dawn Moore, Conway, AR.
But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception. Hebrews 3:13 HCSB
Diana Plyley, Fountain, CO “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NIV
1John 4:18 KJV
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:
because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made
perfect in love.
Tricia, Meridian, MS-
Let me experience your faithful love in the morning,
For I trust in you.
Reveal to me the way I should go because I long for you.
Psalm 143:8, HCSB
Ellen, Amersfoort, the Netherlands
Laat de Heer uw vreugde blijven, ik zeg u nogmaals: wees altijd verheugd. Laat iedereen u kennen als vriendelijke mensen. De Heer is nabij. Wees over niets bezorgd, maar vraag God wat u nodig hebt en dank Hem in al uw gebeden. Dan zal de vrede van God, die alle verstand te boven gaat, uw hart en gedachten in Christus Jezus bewaren.
Filippenzen 4:4-7 NBV
Do all things without complaining and disputing.
Philippians 2:14 NKJV
Hutchins TX
2 Corinthians 9:8, ESV
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
Through, Jesus, therefore, let us continually
offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit
of lips that confess His name. Hebrews 13:5
WAYNE, PA
“But I have spared you for a purpose–to show you my power and to spread my fame throughout the earth” EX 9:16 NLT
I shared this with my beautiful Praying Pelican Missions translator while on last weeks mission trip to Haiti after hearing her testimony of surviving the earthquake.
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105:4 NIV
Westminster, CO
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
John 15:8 ESV
Brittney from Oceana WV
I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and will glorify thy name for evermore. Psalm 86:12 KJV
Leslie G-Warner Robins, Ga
Deut 33:25. NIV
The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days.
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it”
Psalm 34:13-14
New King James
Finally brothers, 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.
Phillippians 4:8 NIV
Matthew 6:34 KJV
Take no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Yolanda, Ulysses, Ks.
“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1 NIV
Robin Spires, Pendleton, IN John 1:16 ESV “For from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace.”
Nitsa, Eugene, OR. “All the days of the afflicted are bad, But a cheerful heart has a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15NIV
Liz Kester
Keller, Texas
“Perserverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:4 NIV
Debbie Scherrer, Sevierville, TN
It is in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. Ephesians 1:11-12. Message
Sara Blakely, Lavonia, GA. “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Psalm 91:1
Sorry, NIV!
Mary Newberry, New Smyrna Beach, FL
Psalm 91:11 AMP
11 For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].
Melissa Dulaney, Circleville, OH – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV
Rhonda Johnson, Fargo ND. Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Barb Faasse, Jenison, MI
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 NIV
Carol, Wheaton Il 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1Peter 5:7 NLT
Amy Spry
Dothan, AL
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4 NIV
I love you, Amy! You are my Jonathan! 🙂
Stacie K
Springfield, VA
You are God’s chosen people. You are holy and dearly loved. So put on tender mercy and kindness as if they were your clothes. Don’t be proud. Be gentle and patient.
Colossians‬ â€3‬:â€12‬ NIRV
Krista Winchester, VA
Romans 15:13 HCSB
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Shonna Massey Coweta, Ok,…Ephesians 3:17-18 NLT ” Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high and how deep his love is.”