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.
Lori, Manhattan, KS
“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands.” Ps 90:17 (NASB)
Polly from Pa
Isa. 61:10 NAS
I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewel.
Tari Hathcock, Washington, MO
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26 ESV
Philippians I:3
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
your ocean pacific & MSU friend
Cathy F Loxahatchee, Florida
Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV
Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5, NIV
Janet Mobley – Denison, Texas
“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 wherever you go.” (â€Joshua‬ â€1‬:â€9‬ ESV)
Lynn Gregory, Springfield, OR. Isaiah 43:10 ESV . You are my witnesses declares the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am He. Before me NO God was formed nor shall there be any after me.
Robyn, Alexander City AL: The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 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
Kaycee Clinton Township, Mi
Blessed is she who believed for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from The Lord. Luke 1:45 KJV
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (â€Psalm‬ â€139‬:â€14‬ NIV)
Ellen, Fort Worth, TX
Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14 NIV
Vickie-Wichita Falls,Tx–
The Lord watches over you-
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon
by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm–
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going both
now and forevermore.
Psalm121:5-8 NIV
Nicole Skidmore, Wideman Arkansas
Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5 NKJV
Sheri Vreugdenhil; South Bend, IN
“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He is right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.” Deut. 31:6 The Message
Amy B
Montezuma, IN
Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. (Revelation 3:10 NKJV)
Ellen Dark, Sarnia, ON
“And just as you want men to treat you, treat them in the same way.
Luke 6:31 NASB
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 ESV
Libby
Dallas, Texas
Now this is our boast: our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying no on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.
2 Corinthians 1:12 NIV
Jessica Sanders, Broken Arrow, OK.
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.
Revelation 19:11 NIV
Peggy Davis, Corpus Christi, TX
Make Your ways known to me, Lord; teach me Your paths.
Psalm 25:4 HCSB
Carol – Pasadena, CA
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
1 Corinthians 6:18-19
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body. NIV
Diane Hotchkiss, Cypress, TX
Proverbs 16:24ESV
Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
The Lord you 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 you with singing. Zepheniah 3:17
Susanna Greenville, TX
Melanie, Midland, MI
If you, GOD, kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand a chance? As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that’s why you’re worshiped. (â€Psalm‬ â€130‬:â€3-4‬ MSG)
Loke Asing, San Clemete, CA
Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Nwo therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” Exodus 4:11-12 ESV
Donna Marina, Ca
Your words were found and I ate them, and your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart. For I am called by your name O Lord God of hosts.
Jeremiah 15:16 NKJV
LynnAnn Bryant Arlington, TX
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth
Psalm 121:2 NIV
Lori Anthony, Pine River, MN
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'” Hebrews 13:5 ESV
Diana Rockwell from Ramona, CA But he knows the way that I take: when he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NKJV
Diane, Hemet, CA
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT
Jessie Y. Jackson, MO – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Psalm 119:45 AMP
And I will walk at liberty and at ease,
for I have sought and inquired for (and desperately required) your precepts.
Malia Roman, Oceanside, CA
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. Proverbs 25:28. ESV
Heather Smith
Nashville, TN
In my fight against anxiety:
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!”
-Isaiah 26:3 NLT
Laura in Bedford, TX
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in him, so that you may about in hope by the poiwer of teh Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 NET
Jami Caron, Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus
Philippians 1:6
Kidist, The Colony TX
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”
Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)
Courtney, Lima, Ohio. “So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” Romans 8:6 (NLT)
Marissa, Seattle, WA
Philippians 4:6-8, NET
6 Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.
Cindy Matter, North Potomac, MD. “For the eyes of the Lord move to and from throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose hear is completely His.” 2 Chronicles 16:9a NASB
Susannah Hotchkiss, Cypress, TX
Proverbs 3:4-5 ESV
So you will find favor and good success[a]
in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NKJV Alisha Hoschton, GA
Ellen Roth from Bad Axe Michigan:
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen! Ephesians 3:20-21
“And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2
Michelle Henderer, Livermore,CA
Jeremiah 31:3b
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”
Rene Sandifer, Overland Park, KS “The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8 NLT
Psalm 118:8
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
Candice Kindrick
Rogers, Arkansas
But you, (wo)man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11 (NIV)
Katie, Pittsburgh PA, “The LORD is not slow in keeping His promises as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 NIV