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.
Cynthia Patchogue New York
” If you remain in me and follow my teachings, you can ask anything you want, and it will be given you.” (NCV)
Andrea, Fort Worth, TX
“And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”
Philippians 4:7 KJV
Joelle, Abilene, TX
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
(â€Colossians‬ â€4‬:â€2‬ NIV)
Elkton, MD
Philippians 4:8-9
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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Kelly. H. – Burns, TN – Hebrews 4:16 NLT – 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.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I hope;
Psalm 130:5
ESV
Dallas, GA
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:15 NIV
John 1:16NIV
From the fullness of HIS grace we have all received one blessing after another.
Holly, Bowling Greem, KY
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalms 19:14
Meredith F. , Virginia Beach, VA
Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Jacquie Engbrecht, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (â€Galatians‬ â€1‬:â€10‬ NIV)
Allison Parkhurst, Wichita, Kansas
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8: 5-6 ESV
Andrea Larmer, Hephzibah, GA
“I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart;
I will tell of all Your wonders.
I will be glad and exult in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”
Psalm 9:1-2 NASB
Mary-Katherine, New Albany, OH
Proverbs 3:5 ESV
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And do not lean on your own understanding.
Proverbs 24: 13-14{NIV}
Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you and your hope will not be cut off.
Linda Gallo, Johnstown, Pa.
Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Meredith, Columbia, SC
It is vain to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2 KJV
Sharon Crow, Winchester, VA
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
Psalm 139:16
Jeanne Barr, St. Petersburg, FL
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:2 NIV
Tangila, Pearland TX
Rejoice, you people of Jerusalem! Rejoice in the LORD your God! For the rain he sends demonstrates his faithfulness. Once more the autumn rains will come, as well as the rains of spring. (â€Joel‬ â€2‬:â€23‬ NLT)
Tara McCann, Pleasant Plains, IL. “The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.” Psalms 25:10 NLT
Phyllis, Salisbury, MD
“And do not be grieved! for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
Exclamation mark should be a comma and version is NASB
Julia Posel, Munich, Germany. “The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide and shield me], I shall not lack. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. He refreshes and restores my life; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. […] Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:1-4 AMP, 23:6 NLT (Due to current challenges in my life, I’ve decided to stretch my #SSMT Verse 3 choice a little. I need the full dose of Psalm 23 & SSMT gives me all the more opportunity to deeply dwell in it. Thank you for granting me the freedom to do so!)
Andrea Cox, Howe, TX
1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
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.
Fort Wayne, IN
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 ESV
Sheri, Morrisville, MO
This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
1Johm 3:19-20 NIV
Kary D, Irvine, CA
Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but e transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Romans 12:2 NIV
Linda Ney in Gahanna, Ohio
Psalm 148: 2 (NIV)
Praise him, all his angels,
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
Kay, Plano, TX
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. (â€Ezekiel‬ â€36‬:â€26‬ NIV)
Debi, N. Chesterfield, VA
Psalm 118:29. “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever. TNIV
Val Parker DeQuincy, LA and all these things whatsoever yea shall ask in prayer, believing, yea shall receive. Matthew 21:22 KJV
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4 NIV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Phil. 2:3-4
WheatRidge, Colorado
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever snd ever! Amen
Ephesians 3: 20,21 NIV
St. Joseph, MI
Colossians 1:22
…but now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation…
Michelle Weihing – Frisco, TX
Proverbs 31:25 (NLT)
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
Sheri – Lexington, SC
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
Paulet Duck
Riverside, WA
Hebrews 12:1-3 (NASB)
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
Isaiah 43:18, NIV
Sylacauga, AL – 2 Peter 1:5 ESV. “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge,…”
Amy
Oklahoma
Proverbs 31:25 New Living Translation (NLT)
She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future.
Liza, Trimont MN – This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” Isaiah 30:15 (NIV)
Anita Siecker, Purcellville, VA
Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.
Luke 21:34 NIV84
Missy S, Chapel Hill, NC
“Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down,
that the mountains might quake at your presence—” ~ Isaiah 64:1 (ESV)
Marcy, Eagle Bridge, NY
Ephesians 1:18-19a
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.” NIV
Marie, Harrison, AR; Colossians 4:6 NKJV – “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
Cathy Porter Hot Springs Village, AR
“Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV
Becky Morrison, Marietta, GA
“Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.”
Psalm 35:13 KJV
The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
Psalm 97: 1-2
Apryl, Raleigh NC “All things you ask for in prayer, you will receive if you have faith.” Matthew 21:22 NLV