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 onĀ 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)
8Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā āBehold, I go forward, but He is not there,
and backward, but I do not perceive Him;
9Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 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.
10Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā But He knows the way that I take;
when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
11Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā My foot has held fast to his steps;
I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
12Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 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).Ā (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.
Left mine at fb
keep it up, ladies
Kimberly Waller, Moultrie, Georgia. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you. Isaiah 44:22 NIV
Chris Robertson from Fort Wayne, IN
Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment. Proverbs 10: 12-13 NIV
April, Pleasant Garden, NC: And He said to them, “Why are you so timing? How is it that you have no faith?” Mark 4:40 NASB
Lisa, Little Rock, Arkansas
“For I know the plans I have for you,ā declares the Lord, āplans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Nanette Sword, Saint Cloud, FL
Exodus 4:12 NKJV “Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”
“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all
who call to you.
Hear my prayer, LORD; listen to my cry for mercy.
When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.”
Psalm 86:5-7 NIV
Kori Ireland Cabot, Arkansas
It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. Romans 9:16 NIV
Kori – I’m glad you picked this verse! Might have to memorize it another week. š
Carla, LaFayette, Al.
When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. Psalm 91:15 NLT
Perhaps this is the moment for which you were created.
Esther 4:14 NLT
Cullman , alabama
Your attitude should be the same as that if Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:5, NIV)
Robin Greenwood, IN
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him,and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
and with my song I will praise Him.
Psalm 28:7 ESV
Brooke, Mobile, AL- “I am leaving you with a gift- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” -John 14:27, NLT
Kirsten Weaver
Rockville, Indiana
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1The LORD is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,a
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the LORD
forever. ~New Living Translation
Lynn in Divide, CO
Ephesians 1:7-8 ESV
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.
Meagan from Port St. Lucie, FL – Isaiah 30:21 HCSB ~ “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.'”
Kim Bulles Yorktown VA. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit. Proverbs 16:2 ESV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
Melissa ruth
Houston, TX
But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.
1 Peter 1:15 NLT
Julie Strock; Lakewood, CO; “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NLT
Tigi Montgomery Village MD ( Beth’s scripture pick spoke to my heart)
Job23:10 NIV But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me I will come forth as gold.
Lindsey Diggs, Smyrna, TN
Isaiah 55:11
“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
Sarah, Kingwood, TX. For I know that my Redeemer and Vindicator lives, and at last He (the Last One) will stand upon the earth. Job 19:25 (AMP)
Leighann Holloway, Longview, TX
“I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.” Psalm 17:6 NLT
Stephanie Volkmer, Tulsa,Ok.
Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. (ā1 Corinthiansā¬ ā13ā¬:ā4-5ā¬ AMP)
Robyn Barnes, Orlando, FL
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Psalm 19:1 (NIV)
Kristy, Louisiana
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 HCS
Vickie Henderson
Russellville Ar
Isaiah 58:11
I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places-firm muscles, strong bones. You’ll be like a well watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry.
The Message
A good verse for someone with MG
2 Corinthians 3:4-6
“Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
Duet. 6:5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength
And when u pray you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love standing in the synapses and on the corners of the streets that they may be seen by man. Assuredly I say to u they have their reward . Matt6:5 nkjv
Kelly Elliott, Jackson TN.
“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.” Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Cindy Barger, Houston, Texas
Debbie Weaver, Cumming, GA.
You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
I Thessalonians 5:5 NIV
Mindy Seekford Stonewall, La
āBut he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold. (āJobā¬ ā23ā¬:ā10ā¬ NLT)
Robin from Suffolk, VA
“The Lord confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them.” Psalm 25:14 NIV
Rachel Edwards, Birmingham, England
My grace is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT
Kim K., Lancaster, Ohio
Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;
By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
Proverbs 24:3-4 NKJV
Kristina Pindell; Burkburnett, TX
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 1 Corinthians 9:19 NASB
Juanita, Boston, MA
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 ESV
Elizabeth Lakeland, Florida “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.” 1 Corinthians 13:4 NLT
The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 NIV
numbers 14:8 The Lord is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion but he does not excuse the guilty. He lays the sin upon their children, the whole family is affected, even children in the third and fourth generations
Celta Moore, Atlanta Georgia – “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world– our faith.” (1 John 5:4) NAS
And this commandment we have from him; whoever loves God must als love his brother.
1John 4:1 21 ESV. Janice Meyer. In a tent in South Sudan 1:48. a.m. can’t sleep so scripture memory it is.
Mary Beth, St. Louis, MO
“My beloved is mine and I am his;”
Song of Songs 2:16 (NIV)
Jacquie Bachman
Ayr,Nebraska
Finally brothers, 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
Kristen, Liberty, MO
Rather, it [your beauty] should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
1 Peter 3:4 NIV
Vivienne B, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
āBe still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.ā
Psalm 46:10 (NLT)
Juley Metcalf,
Spicewood, TX
“The LORD will fight for you,
and you shall hold your peace
and remain at rest.”
Exodus 14:14 ~ (Amplified)