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)
8Â Â Â Â Â Â âBehold, 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.
Linda Gammon, Blue Springs, MO
Colossians 4:2 ESV
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Sheilah, Melbourne, Florida
Psalm 89:13-15 (NIV)
Your arm is endued with power; your hand is strong, your right hand exalted. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.
Sandra Arnold, Paris, Tennessee: “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 (NASB)
Stephanie with daughter Madison, Louisville, KY
James 4:7-8 RSV
Submit yourselves, therefore, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Allison
Pittsburg, Texas
1John 4:4 NIV
You, dear children, are from God and
have overcome them, because the one
who is in you is greater than the one
who is in the world.
Melissa Weseloh, St. Louis, MO
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (ESV)
Angela, Los Gatos, CA. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 ESV
Michah 7:8 KJV Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy; when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.
Maureen, St. Clair Shores, Michigan. “Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead”. (Proverbs 4:25 HCSB)
Shelly and Sienna Busby- Colorado Springs, CO
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Psalm 37:3 NIV
For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV)
Robin LeGrand – Winfield, Kansas
“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)
Beth, London Ontario
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (ESV)
To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Catherine Lesley – Waterdown, Ontario
O Lord, because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings. My soul clings to you; Your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:7-8 (NIV)
Kristine, DFW, Texas. “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Eph. 5:17-20 NIV
Dickson, TN ” on God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Psalm 62:7 (NASB)
Candie, Beaverton OR
1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV)
“The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”
Michelle V, Hewitt, TX.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 NIV
Heather Evans, Bryan, TX “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3 NIV
Lynette Suwanee GA
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Paslm 73:26 NIV
Betsy, Virginia Beach, VA
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
Isaiah 55:8 (NASV)
My new verse is Genesis 28:15
Cindy Mohr, Marion, IL
This God-His way is perfect, the word of the LORD proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30 ESV
Falisha M. Boland – Fruitland, NM
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” – Psalms 19:14 NIV
Sonya Burtis, Cullman, AL: Kind words are like honey~
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.Proverbs 16:24 (NLT)
Trina Combs, Fayetteville, AR
“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:23-24 NKJV
Mary, Corpus Christi, TX
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
Tracie, Falling Waters, WV
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ 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 (NAS)
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 entrust my life
Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
Gwen Groen, Center, CO “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” I Peter 4:8 ESV
Kami – Kalispell, MT. “The tongue can bring death of life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Proverbs 18:21 NLT
Rachel Jaynes, from Cincinnati:
”
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: âIt is more blessed to give than to receive.â â (âActs⏠â20âŹ:â35⏠NIV)
Jessica Clement, Birmingham, AL
Nevertheless I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. Jeremiah 33:6 NIV
Jan McClure Lexington,KY
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you,
For My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2Corinthians 12:9a NKJV
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.
He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream and does not fear when heat comes for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it deos not cease to be fruitful.
Jeremaih 17:7-8 ESV
Alana Beaver Falls, PA
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” John 15:9 NIV
Katie, Cincinnati, OH.
Take great joy in the Eternal! His gifts are coming, and they are all your heart desires! – Psalm 37:4 (VOICE)
Beth, Broadview Heights, OH
Proverbs 15:1 (ESV)
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
Matthew 18:10 NIV
Kaylee Taylor, Stephenville, TX
Isaiah 26:3 ESV
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Blair from Harrisburg, NC
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night.
Psalm 92:1-2 (NKJV)
Becky Lawrenceville, GA
“I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” Psalm 40: 1-2
Kim Foley, Arnold, MD
Be completely humble and gentle, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Emily, St. Paul, MN
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24, NIV
Makayla, Nixa, MO
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 HCSB
Jane, Waukee IA
For everything wasâcreated byâHim, in heaven andâonâearth, the visible andâtheâinvisible, whether thrones orâdominions or rulers orâauthoritiesââ all things haveâbeenâcreated throughâHim andâforâHim. Col 1:16 HCSB
Bobbie Underwood – Jefferson City, MO
And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law came through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. -John 1:16-17
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NIV
Carrie, Pueblo, CO
“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.”
Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Patti, Nashville, TN
Romans 6:3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?