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.
Dawn Werner, OFallon, IL
Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Col 3:12
Heather R, Boulder, CO
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Freedom. 2 Cor 3:17 NIV
Farmington, MO
Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Robyn Gross, Cape Girardeau, Mo, “For Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13 NLT
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer 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, pleasing and perfect will.
Megan, Tuscaloosa AL
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26 NIV
Debbie, Orlando, FL
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:12 NIV
Jennifer Perkins, Longview, TX
“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.” 1 Peter 4:7 ESV
Janice Pitchford
Abbeville, AL
“If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul then your light shall dawn in the darkness and your darkness shall be as noonday.”
Isaiah 58:10 NKJV
Katie M, Warsaw, IN
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (â€1 Peter‬ â€4‬:â€8‬ NIV)
Emily G from Houston, TX
“I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.”
I John 2:14 ESV
Anne, Round Rock Texas
33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Luke 12:33-34 ESV
Shannon Davidson San Juan Capistrano, CA “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
Sandra Larranaga Bowe San Jon, NM
Psalm 119:32 TNIV
I run in the path if your commands,
For You have set my heart free.
Pam in Fredericksburg, Texas
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Debby Sawtell Cypress Texas
Listen to advice,
and
Accept instruction,
That you may gain wisdom in the future.
Proverbs 19:20. ESV
This includes your husband.
Linda H, Buckeye, Az “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. Psalm 18:2 NLT
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.
Psalm 62:2
NLT
Cathy Koski, Fridley, MN
For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
2 Corinthians 4:15-17 ESV
Teri, Lakeway, TX
casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
NAS
Farmington MO
Romans 3:23 NKJV For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
LaMonique’ J. Katy, TX. “The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
Julie Patrick, Florence, South Carolina
“He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.” Psalm 62:6-7 KJV
Kristetta Miller, Pinveille LA, If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 (NIV)
Michelle Slomp, Okotoks, AB CAN
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thess 5:16-18 ESV
1 Timothy 4:7
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales, rather, train yourself to be godly.
Tracey Fulton, Mocksville, NC
Luke 12:12. NKJV
For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.
Clancie Speck, Elizabethtown, KY “You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy; At your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11, NKJV
Elizabeth, Fairfax, SC
“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Psalm 4:8
Gennie, Granbury,Tx
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2: 20 NASB
Aubrey Eubank Palmetto, GA
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 NIV
Nikki L, Litteton, CO
“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His WORD I HOPE.”
Psalm 130:5 ESV
Mandy from Lizard Lick, NC. Isaiah 41:31 NIV..but for those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
To be renewed in strength because I simply can not do it on my own is comforting.
Reanna Mendoza — Cypress, CA
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:1-2 ESV
Suzette NeSmith from Franklinton, Louisiana
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. KJV John 14:27
Vicki Koons, Surprise AZ
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Kim Freeman, Fort Worth, Tx
Habakkuk 3:19 AMP
The Lord God is my strength, my personal bravery,and my invincible army. He makes my feet like hinds feet and will make me to walk [not stand still in terror, but to walk]and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibilities].
Lisa Griffin, Lincoln City, OR:
17 “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,”
Ephesians‬ â€1‬:â€17-18‬ ESV
Emily Mechanicsville, VA
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21
Angelia, Charlotte, NC
“That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:10 NKJV
Melissa Morrow, Pike Road, AL
” 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
Stacey, Tomball, 1 Peter 2:6-9 NIV
For it is written in scripture, see I lay a stone in Zion, a precious & chosen cornerstone. He who trust in him will never be put to shame. Now to those who believe this stone is precious but to those who do not the stone the builders rejected has become the capstone. A stone that causes men to stumble a rock that makes men fall. They stumble because they do not obey the message for which they were also destined for. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a Holy nation, a people belonging to God that you may declare the praises of the one that called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Laurie, Marietta,GA
And all the crowd sought to touch him,for power came out from Him,and He healed them all. Luke 6:19. ESV
Wow, Laurie. So good.
Kerry from Houston, TX
Why are you depressed, O my soul?
Why are you upset?
Wait for God!
For I will again give thanks
to my God for his saving intervention.
Psalm 42:11 (NET)
Paige Watson, Job 23:10 ESV, Atlanta
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
Amanda, Santa Clara CA
In the multitude of my anxious thoughts within me, Your comforts cheer and delight my soul!
Psalm 94:19 (AMP)
Connie Johnson, Pittsboro NC
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Crystal Frank. Livonia. Michigan.
Thanks for the word Beth! I needed that today! I’ll follow your lead this time!
“But he knoweth the way that I take; when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
Job 23:10
Annette, Columbus, OH
All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. John 1:3 ESV
Ruthie Farmer, Brentwood TN
“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
Acts 2: 17
Missy Smead, Leola, AR
“Seek the Lord while He may be found.
Call upon Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.”
Isaiah 55:6-7 NKJV