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.
Sarah, Colorado Springs, CO
Exodus 14:14 NIV
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
April, Lexington, KY. Philippians 4:8 NIV “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.”
Kim of Fishers, Indiana “I am the vine; you are the branches. if a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NIV
But the man who loves God is known by God.
I Corinthians 8:3 (NIV)
Jamie, Wichita, KS
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
Colossians 1:17-18
Tracey, Margaree Valley, NS
“But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips.” Colossians 3:8
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19 ESV
Martha Parrish, Irving, TX.
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:3-4 NIV
Sheree Brugmann, West Chicago, Illinois. “But He gives more grace. Therefore, it (Scripture) says, ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
Casper, Wyoming. “Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live.” Psalm 43:3 NLT
Lisa Tackett
Bethany, OK
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18 NIV
Jennifer from Corpus Christi, TX
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.”
Ephesians 6:4 (NLT)
Cindy Cannon, Otterville, IL Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth!Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. Psalm 86:11 (NLT)
Jennifer K
Asheboro, NC
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Kristie Mallory, Goshen, KY
“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 or grace and truth.”
John 1:14 ESV
I just can’t get this translation. I like the NIV better… To me the NIV translation says more to me than the ESV…
Kristie Mallory Goshen, KY
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Rather, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14 NIV
Martha, Cocoa FL
Romans 12:9-10
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another above yourselves. NIV
Blaire C, Bloomfield, MI.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2 NASB
Tymber Morrison, Winston-Salem, NC. “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” 1 Cor 13:1 NIV
San Bernardino CA
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good his love endures forever. Psalms 136:1 Niv.
Charity, Virginia Beach, VA
Truly I tell you, if anyone says to the mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Mark 11:23 NIV
Chelsee, Raleigh, NC
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Kimberly, Fresno, California
“God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” 1 Corinthians 1:9. NIV
dawn hernandez cypress, tx do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (â€Philippians‬ â€4‬:â€6-7‬ NIV)
Diane, Conway, SC: Many are the plans in a person’s heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21(NIV)
Stacey, Omaha, NE Isaiah 26:3 HCSB
You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you.
Emily, Age 14, Colossians 4:2 NLT
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
Ally, Age 12, Proverbs 18:4 NLT
Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.
What a blessing to have your daughters joining you! I know how encouraging it is to see God working in your children. Way to go girls!!
I love that your 2 young daughters are joining you! How beautiful! Keep up the good work, mom!
Lynda Martin, Jacksonville, AR
“Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV
Jennifer, shelburn Indiana
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41 ESV
Veronica-Atlanta , Georgia ” may the lord bless and protect you;my th elords face radiate with joy because of you;may he be gracious to youshow you his favor,and give you his peace. numbers 6: 24-26
Tina, Zalma, MO The Lord is my strength and my song. He has given me victory. This is my God and I will praise Him. My father’s God and I will exalt Him. (NLT) Exodus 15:2
Dani, Greer, SC
But He knows the way that I take [He has concern for it, appreciates, and pays attention to it]. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous]. Job 23:10 AMP
Stole Beth’s 🙂
Dana, Cape Girardeau, Mo
1John 1:9 (NKJV)
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Heather from Andrews, Indiana
Proverbs 3:27
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.
Cedarville, OH
Galatians 5:16 NIV
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
“Make me walk along the path of your commands,
for that is where my happiness is found.”
Psalm 119:35 New Living Translation
Emily Bowden, Augusta, GA
“Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 5:20-21 ESV
Sarah Mc., Des Arc, AR
“So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.
Romans 6:11 ESV
Trish, Friona TX
“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 your with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Mandy Codding, Wadsworth, OH – “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” Jeremiah 31:25 – NIV
Windsor,CO
“And now dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your eyes on what is true, honorable, right, lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 NLT
Louanne, Evans, CO
Philippians 1:9-11 Commom English Bible
This is my prayer: That your love might become more and more rich with knowledge and all kinds of insight. I pray this so that you will be able to decide what really matters and so you will be sincere and blameless on the day of Christ. I pray that you will then be filled with the fruit of righteousness, which comes from Jesus Christ, in order to give glory and praise to God.
Michelle K, New Baltimore, MI
I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9, NRSV
Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
(Psalm 5:3 NLT)
Julie Wagner, Nederland,TX
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Proverbs 16:24
Barb, Urbandale, IA
In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8 ESV
Janice Richey, Bristow, Ok
Bless the Lord O my soul;
And all that is within me,
bless His Holy name. Psalm 103:1
Marianna, San Angelo, TX
Psalm 5:12
“For you bless the righteous O Lord; you cover her with favor as with a shield.” ESV
Alice, Chesapeake VA
Colossians 2:7 NLT
Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Judy White
Birmingham, AL
“the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,”
Ephesians 1:18 NKJV
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 lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8 NIV
Leslie Hudson, Corvallis, OR
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