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;
9 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.
10 But He knows the way that I take;
when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
11 My foot has held fast to his steps;
I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
12 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
Statham GA
Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Joanna Dunton, Houston, Tx Romans 1:16 (NIV) For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Dawn Wells, Fort Worth, TX
“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.”
Psalm 18:30 (NIV)
Kim Doran, Fort Collins, Colorado
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God, let your spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10 ESV
Jennifer Shelton, Nassau Bay,Texas
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Phillipians 3:13-14
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Dede Mitchell Jacksonville FL
Job 23:8-12 New International Version (NIV)
8 “But if I go to the east, he is not there;
if I go to the west, I do not find him.
9 When he is at work in the north, I do not see him;
when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.
10 But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
11 My feet have closely followed his steps;
I have kept to his way without turning aside.
12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.
Jennifer Moore – Clermont,FL
For we walk by faith, not by sight– 2 Corinthians 5:7
Denisha Bonds, Boynton Beach, FL. But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
Natalie, Houston
Phillipians 4:13 ESV
13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
4:13 πάντα ἰσχύω ἐν τῷ ἐνδυναμοῦντί με Χριστῷ
Beth Araya – Missoula, Montana
One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:4 NIV
Laurie O’Connor, Milton, GA: The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. Psalm 121:7 ESV
Soni from Gulfport, MS. Isaiah 59:21 MSG (1/1/15)
“As for me,” God says, “this is my covenant with Soni: My spirit that I’ve placed upon you and the words that I’ve given you to speak, they’re not going to leave your mouth or the mouths of your children nor the mouths of your grandchildren. You will keep repeating these words and won’t ever stop.” Gods orders.
Downtown Tonya Brown, Watauga, Tx:
“Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall”(Psalms 55:22 NLT)
No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will; refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, declares the Lord.
Isaiah 54:17 NIV
Donna, Yadkinville, NC
Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
Psalm 34:11 NLT
May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord Jesus. 2 Thess. 1:11b-12 NLT
Roberta
Coldspring, TX
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
KJV
Mary, AtlanTa, GA – “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.” Psalm 20:7-8
Melissa, Augusta, GA
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Ephesians 3:16, KJV
Gaby Chicas Jacksonville FL
Esther 4:14New International Version (NIV)
14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 ESV
Cindy Nickerson, Lascassas, TN – “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 NIV
Oops… “With”not “in” compassion
Patti, Clemmons, NC
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in Heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coing in the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory. Matthew 24:30, KJV
Ann, Odessa, Fl
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews12:1 NASB
Allison
Wilmington, NC
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
Shelley Iorio, New Smyrna Beach, FL
For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one much more those who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:17 NKJV
Diane S. Macungie, PA
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ (Mark 12:29-30 NIV)
Bree Allen, TX.
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? James 4:1 NIV
Amy M, Fifty Lakes, MN
“Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.” Psalm 121:4 (HCSB)
Kristi, Pensacola, FL:
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said: “I do believe; help my unbelief!”
Mark 9:24 NIV
Rhonda Beck Winston Salem, N.C.
The Lord is my strength and song,
And he has become my salvation,
He is my God, and I will praise Him,
My father’s God, and I will extol Him.
Exodus 15:2 (NKJV)
Susan, Emmaus, PA
Micah 6:8 NKJV because it goes so well with James:
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
Romans 6:4 NLT
Samantha Anderson, New Smyrna Beach, FL
Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us to accomplish INFINITELY more than we might expect or ask.
Ephesians 3:20 NLT
Michele Zamora-Lubbock, TX
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an
answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you
have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”
1 Peter 3:15
Ft Wayne, In
“Don’t be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer, and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God”
Philippians 46
Esv
Trixie Pratt, Arcanum, Ohio
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Caitlin Long, Demopolis, AL
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 ESV
Megan Flora, Oak Ridge, TN.
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV
Rene’ Pingel, Cape Girardeau, MO
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
Tiffany Wooldridge, Bolivar, MO
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2 NKJV
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
Toms Brook, VA.
Isaiah 41: 10 NLT Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
Psalm 8:5 ESV
Karoletha Longview TX
Karla, Leverett, MA
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:3 ESV
Wanda
North Canton Ohio
This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them, and they in God.
1 John 4:13-15 NIV
Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
Daniel 12:3. NIV
Sherron Watkins, Houston, TX.
The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. (Psalm 25:14 ESV)
Donna Gantt from Athens, Louisiana: “As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.” Ecclesiastes 11:5 KJV