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.
Amber from Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
Hebrews 6:19 NIV
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, (20a) where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.
Sharon West, Miller, Missouri
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV
Pam Rose
Mentor on the Lake, OH
“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.” Ephesians 6:14 (ESV)
Jan Muske, College Station, TX
A gentle answers turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 NIV
Shelly, Albertville MN
God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1 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. Philippians 4:8 NIV Dawn Lucy Attalla, AL
“Delight yourself also in the Lord and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
Gretchen, McKinney, TX Ps 112:7-8 (HCSB) He will not fear bad news; his heart is confident, trusting in the Lord. His heart is assured; he will not fear. In the end
he will look in triumph on his foes.
Mary Witte, Grand Rapids, MN
I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.
Psalm 16:8 NLT
Heather Gray, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. “Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.” Isaiah 55:5 NIV
Psalms 108:1-5
A song. A psalm of David.
My heart is confident in you, O God;
no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart!
Wake up, lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn with my song.
I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
I will sing your praises among the nations.
For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth.
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 14:26 KJV
Lisa B. Taylorsville NC
Sam, Colorado Springs, CO
All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness;
2 Timothy 3:16 NIV
Romans 8:24-25
For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. Who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see,we wait for it with patience. ESV
Connie
Greene IA
Suffering tests your faith which is more valuable than gold (remember that gold, although it is perishable, is tested by fire) so that if it is found genuine, you can receive praise, honor, and glory when Jesus the Anointed, our Liberating King, is revealed at last.
1 Peter 1:7 The Voice
Amanda Grasza, Calgary, Alberta
“I will put my Spirit within you and you shall live and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken and I will do it, declares the Lord. Ezekiel 37:14 ESV
“My command is this: Love eachother as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.”
John 15:12-14 (NIV)
Jennifer Brosdahl, Menahga, MN (in honor of my son Zach, a future Marine)
Thank your son for me for serving our country. And thank you, Jennifer, for allowing him to serve. May God protect and keep him.
Awww Carolyn — thank YOU!! You spoke directly to my heart — words that this girl needed to hear 🙂 Yeah God!! Take care, my dear… jennifer
Psalm 20:6 NIV
Now this I know:
The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
with the victorious power of his right hand.
Dana Dorsey, Stillwater Minnesota.
You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11 / NASB
Judy Williams, Round Hill, VA “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:17 NLT
La Teisa Crockett Bedford Hts., OH
“Observe the commands of the Lord your God walking in obedience to Him and revering Him because the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land-a land with brooks, streams and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and the hills.
Duet. 8:6-7 (NIV)
Lainey Riley, Daphne, AL
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Candie, Fort Bragg,NC ” The Lord is my light and salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall k be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 KJV
Shannon Houston, TX Romans 12:9 (NIV)
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Gerie Meier – Spring Grove, IL – He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28 NIV
Liliana Potenza, ponte vedra beach, fl
“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7 (ESV)
Rhonda Davis – Huntsville, TN
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
-Hosea 10:22 KJV
Leigh Clemmons, Shorter, Alabama. I will teach all your children, and they will enjoy great peace. Isaiah 54:13 NLT
MB, Cypress, TX
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. James 1:26 ESV
Diane LeJeune, Fairview, TN
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 NIV
Jamie Marsh, Las Colinas, TX:
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. (â€Psalms‬ â€19‬:â€14‬ NLT)
I apologize for posting twice. I had the first scripture a little backwards at the end however it was posted.
Claudia, Raeford, NC Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. (â€Galatians‬ â€6‬:â€4-5‬ MSG)
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 NIV
Amanda Teske, Chandler AZ
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, and comfort from love, any participation in the spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
Philippians 2:1-2
ESV
Becky Jo
Chesterfield MI
But as for me, I shall always have hope; I will praise You more and more.
Psalm 71:14 NIV
Deb Harney-Columbia City, IN- “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Lisa S., Cibolo, Texas – “You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give you. This I command you, that you love one another.” John 15:16,17 (NASB)
Lindsey Buchanan St. Augustine, FL “Come near to God and He will come near to you.” James 4:8 NIV
“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full–pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” ~ Luke 6:38 NLT
Peg Suveg, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
“and whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you. This is the way. Walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 (HCSB)
Kaye from Hamburg,AR
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (â€Colossians‬ â€4‬:â€2‬ NIV)
Psalm 139:3English Standard Version (ESV)
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Sandi Bentz, Anchorage, Alaska
Jennifer Edwards Wetumpka
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 NIV
Kristen Hide-a-way Hills, Ohio. “Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” Galatians 6:9
Dawn, Mt. Olive, NC
“For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.”-Romans 6:14 NIV
Emily McAnear, Corona California
1 John 4:6
We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. NIV
Cindy Wall, Kernersville NC, Pray that The Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do. Jer 42:3 NIV
Cathy, Keller, TX
From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you. They are created now, not long ago; you have not heard of them before today. Isaiah 48: 6b-7a NIV
Diane w, Troutdale, or —-Ephesians 4:2-3 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowances for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.