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.
Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
NASB
Malea from Arkansas
Roni- Demopolis, Alabama- “Abram was 99 years old and the appeared to Abram and said to him, I am the Lord God Almighty walk before me and be blameless.” NASB Genesis 17:1
Vonnie Baker Marble Hill MO
Isaiah 12:2 KJV
Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord, JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Red Deer Albrerta
For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.
Luke 19:10
Morgan Cooper, Lexington, KY: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3, NIV
Debbie George, Marion, IN….”For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV – Pray continually
Hannah H. from Branch, AR
“It will be said on that day, ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.'”
-Isaiah 25:9 ESV
Shauna Humphreys, Muse, OK
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
Ann, Prior Lake, MN
“So stand still and see this great thing the LORD will do before your eyes now.”
I Samuel 12:16 Amplified Bible
Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD. Ps. 32:10 ESV
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;”
Heb. 4: 9 (NIV)
Lori, Friendswood, TX
Hannah, Ontario, Canada
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV
Wendy
Harrodsburg, Kentucky
“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.”
Psalm 139:7-8 NIV
But He knows the way I take; when He has tested me I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
Becky, Fargo, ND — I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Psalms 32:8 (NIV)
Lawton, Okla
Isaiah 7:9b
If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. NIV
Tracy Langford, Medicine Lodge, Ks
Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
Nancy White, Lee’s Summit, Missouri. I have inherited Your testimonies forever, For they are the joy of my heart. Psalm 119:111
Morgan Bachman, Blue Hill, Nebraska, “Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.” Ephesians 6:5-8
Elizabeth Marchman
Blue Ridge, Georgia
Do not rejoice over me, my enemy
When I fall, I will arise;
When I sit in darkness,
The Lord will be a light to me.
Micah 7:8 nkjv
Michelle Sund, St. Peter, MN
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
Lindsey Barnett
Sevierville, TN
And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.
â€1 John‬ â€2‬:â€28‬ ESV
Hillary Stephens, Plano, TX.
The Lord said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” Exodus 4:11-12 NIV
Nikki Gack, Park Rapids, MN
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Romans12: 12-13
Stephanie, Huntsville, AL
The Lord bless and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26, ESV
Sara A. Jackson, MI. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. (â€Psalms‬ â€139‬:â€16‬ NLT)
Angel Turnbow from Haughton, Louisiana: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 KJV
Julie Beavers, Pine Bluff, AR
For His anger lasts only a moment, but His lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but JOY COMES IN THE MORNING! Psalm 30:5 NLT
Deidre, Hickory, NC
“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”
1 John 4:16 ESV
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Alison Personette, Plano, IL. Regarding the arrest and questioning of Stephen, who was chosen, among others, by the disciples to do a specific job because of his wisdom in the Spirit: “But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.” Acts 7:10 (NIV)
My bad. That is Acts 6:10 (NIV)
Alice’, Pineville LA: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Eph. 4:29 ESV
Stephanie Burch, Carrollton Va.
For when you were slaves of sin you were free in regard to righteousness. Romans 6:20 NASB
Sharon Longo, Beavercreek, Ohio
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Nancy Parks, Houston, TX
“I lift up my eyes to the hills–where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
Teresa, Orange City. …and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:23 ESV
Tammy, Clarksburg, WV
Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” (NLT)
Mary Murray Fayetteville AR
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. NIV
Bethany S. Stephens, Garland, TX
Ps 139:1-24 NIV (yes, the whole chapter)
You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
I’m not doing a whole chapter because I’m cool. I’m doing it because as a child I listened to a POW who talked about not having a Bible in the camp and I thought that would be awful. I started memorizing a chapter a week. I didn’t think my older brain could handle it now, but I’d like to give it a shot. If I’m unsuccessful, then you’ll see it on mine again next time.
What a beautiful chapter to memorize. It is a good goal and if you have to list it again, no biggie. I’d like to try some chapters in the summer. God bless your studying.
Lenore,
Thank you for your sweet encouragement!
Lenore,
Thank you for your kind encouragement. As a perfectionist, it means a lot to me that you have already reminded me that there is grace if my brain just can’t do the whole thing.
Your sister-in-Christ,
Bethany
Bethany, Psalm 139 was the first chapter I memorized back in 2005. I was 48 years old at the time, so I’m here to tell you that YES, YOU CAN DO IT! Know that I’m cheering you on!
Dear Terry & Lenore,
I have no idea how, but I’ve memorized the whole thing already! I’ll have to keep working to get it to flow really well, but I’ve got all the words in the right order! The coolest thing is that I’m seeing new perspectives from it with each recitation- things I never saw before! Thank you sweet ladies for your encouragement. I just love being part of the family of God! I hope I meet you both at the party next January. I’ve prayed for each of you daily and will continue to do so each day as I practice Ps 139.
Love,
Bethany
Moreen, Sydney Australia
The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His covenant. Psalm 25:14 (ESV)
Kim Cagle Norman, OK
Galatians 5:1
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Anne Boone, Chesterfield, MI“The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Kelli T, Southeastern Colorado
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
Mark 8:36 NIV
Noel, Damascus MD.
Today if you hear his voice do not harden your hearts.
Hebrews 3:8 (NIV)
Kyra, Tecumseh, Oklahoma.
My health my fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
Psalms 73:26, NLT
How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Psalm 139:17 (NIV)
Melissa McCarty
Flowood, MS
Kelly, Cut-n-Shoot, Texas
Ephesians 3:16 NIV
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being
Kelsey Chance, Shawnee, KS
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. Ephesians‬ â€1‬:â€7-8a‬ NIV)
1Samuel 2:9
He will guard the feet of His godly ones, but the wicked will be silenced and perish in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.