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.
Lauren from Lubbock, TX “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…” Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Tammie Williams, Utica, MO
Revelation 22:20 HCSB He who testifies about these things says, “Yes,I am coming quickly.” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
Nancy, Houston, TX
You, Lord, keep my lamp burning;
my God turns my darkness into light.
With your help I can advance against a troop;
with my God I can scale a wall.
Psalm 18:28-29
Missi, Bargersville, IN
Phil. 4:8 NIV
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 these things.
What then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31. NIV
Angel Buff – Chattanooga, TN
“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12, NLT)
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perservers.
1 Corth. 13: 4-7 NIV
Deanna Thomason – Oklahoma City
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NLT
Learning that joy is a choice every day.
Melissa Roehrich, Bismarck ND
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Angela Brown, Rogers AR
Do not earnestly remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€18-19‬ AMP)
Nancy Pierce, Latta, SC
“And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.” 2 Cor. 9:8 (HCSB)
Rachel- Cumming, GA
Isaiah, 55:1a, 2b NIV
“Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare.
Feb. 1, 2015, Kim, Columbus, IN, Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto the own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not see
Brittny, Melbourne,FL
Hosea 11:1-2 & 4 NIV
When Israel was a child,I loved him, & out of Egypt I called my son, but the more I called Israel the further they went from me. They sacrificed to the Baals & they burned incense to images.I led them with cords of human kindness with ties of love, I lifted the yoke from their necks & bent down to feed them.
“Call to ME and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Samantha Arnold, East London, South Africa. “Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” 1 Chronicles 4:10, NIV
Anita Moore Fort Worth, TX
Philippians 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. NIV
Lisa Wiesman Tabernacle NJ
Micah 6:8 ” He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly withvyour God?”
Kelly, Merritt Island, FL
“I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me. The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” Psalm 118:13-14 NIV
The Lord will protect that which concern etch me; Thy mercy, oh Lord, endureth forever; forsake not the works of Thine own hands. Psalms 139:8 KJ. Susan- Jacksonville, Florida
Feb. 1, 2015, Kim, Columbus, IN, Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto the own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes:fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
I waited patiently for the Lord to help me and he heard my cry.
Psalm 40:1 (NIV)
Stephanie
Helotes, Tx
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: (â€Ecclesiastes‬ â€3‬:â€1‬ NIV)
John 14:1-2 KJV Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe alson in Me. In my Father’s house are many mansions:if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
James 1:19-20
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to listen,slow to speak,slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce righteousness of God” (ESV)
Jenni Banicki, Elk Grove, California. But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 (NIV)
Theresa, Lufkin TX
If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son, purifies us from all sin.
1 John 1:7
Andi from Rockwall, TX
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
1 John‬ â€3‬:â€1‬ NIV
Nancy, Tucson,Az
Exodus 15:13 NIV
In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed.In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
Isaiah 55:11
So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Judy, Panama City, Fl
Psalm 25:4-5 (NCV)
LORD, tell me Your ways.
Show me how to live.
Guide m in Your truth, and teach me, my God, my Savior,
I trust You all day long.
Melanie Wilson, New London, PA
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you everywhere you go.”
Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
Faye Waraksa, Franklin,TN
Psalm 103:6 NIV
The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
Ronda from Murfreesboro, TN
“If someone claims, ‘I know God,’ but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him.” 1 John 2:4-5 NLT
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Rebecca Enriquez, Orlando, FL
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” â€Ephesians‬ â€4‬:â€1-3‬, NIV
Lisa Laney, Arab, Alabama
Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Margie Davis Beaverton, oregon
In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6 (NIV)
Ellen Hollenshead, Albuquerque, NM. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14, ESV.
Denise, Gardners, PA
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 (NIV)
Kelley Bendheim, Winston Salem, NC. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 NIV
Samantha Arnold, East London, South Africa. I almost left this part out! ~ “And God granted his request.”
Kerry, Houston, TX
“Let the words you speak always be full of grace. Learn how to say your words in a way that people want to hear. The goal is to bring the best out in others in a conversation, not put them down or cut them out.” Colossians 4:6
Pam-Lubbock,Texas
2 Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; NAS
Sherri, Albuquerque, “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 and pleasing perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV
Jennifer, Lancaster PA
2 Corinthians 4:3 NLT
If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing.
(working my way through the chapter with my dearest friends!)
Pamma Rippe from Abingdon, VA
LUKE 9:23 HCSB
Then He said to them all, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Julie, Lafayette, LA
“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
Rhonda Jackson, Godfrey, Illinois. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27:14 – KJV
Katie, marietta, ga: “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22