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.
Kathy VanAmburg, Norwalk IA
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. (â€1 Corinthians‬ â€13‬:â€1‬ NIV)
Kathy Lindsey, Ellerslie, GA: The mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs16:9
Danville, KY
My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your Word.
Psalm 119:28 NIV
Lori D. Elk Grove, CA
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him. Psalm 28:7
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you. Psalm 55:22a. NIV
Jill Petersen, Byron, MN
“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 “. Psalm 139:1-3, NIV
Debbie Fasano
Quincy, IL
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians‬ â€9‬:â€8‬ ESV
Cindy Preston, Copley, OH. “The glory of the Lord dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud.” Exodus 24:16 ESV
Nicole Carpenter, Delaware, Ohio
“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” Philippians 2:14-15 NIV
Carrie. Atlanta, GA The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 NIV
Marie, Easley, SC
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
matt. 6:6 NIV
Jill Erickson
Findlay, Ohio
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 9:10 NIV
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
1 Corinthians 13: 6-7, NIV
Greta, Denton, TX
Mela Williams Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. (â€Psalms‬ â€25‬:â€5‬ NLT)
Jennifer Jones from Coweta, OK
Galations 5:16 “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Joan Baile, New Windsor, Md
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers. Neither height nor depth, nor anything in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
Jedonne, Nashville, TN “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations” Psalm 89:1 (NKJV)
Kathi Goetz, Houston TX
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
Proverbs 16:3 ESV
Chris, Radford, VA “So that we may boldly say the Lord is my helper and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” Hebrews 13:6 KJV
Holbrook, New York
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our LORD. 2Peter 1:2 NASB
Anna, Roseville, CA “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 ESV
Terri Waters, Harrison Township MI
If we live in the light as he is in the light, we share what we have with God with each other.
And the blood of Jesus Chris His son makes our lives clean from all sin. I John 1:7 NLV
Crystal, West Hartford, CT
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Phil 4: 6-7 NIV
NKJ Isaiah 43.18 Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.
Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us Your salvation. Psalm 85:6-7. NIV
Forgot to say I’m from Sheridan, AR
Melissa, Waldorf, MD
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Kimberley, Brisbane, Australia
Micah 6:8 (NIV) He has showed you, O Man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Jan in Clinton, MS:
“Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, ‘Let God be magnified.'” Psalm 70:4 NASB
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 9:10 NIV
Lynda Rickey, Ocala, FL: “For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.”
Psalm 27:5. NIV
Camille Benson, Knoxville, TN- My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. (â€James‬ â€1‬:â€19-20‬ NIV)
Lisa, Mpls, MN The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 NIV
Ann, Springboro, OH
For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. (â€Romans‬ â€11‬:â€36‬ NIV)
Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8 esv
This I declare about the Lord;
He alone is my refuge,
My place of safety;
He is my God, and I trust Him. Psalm 91:2 NLT
Beth Smyth Perth Australia
He is your constant source of stability; He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom, He gives all this to those who fear Him. Is 33:6 NET
Tracy Chapman
Andice, TX
Nehemiah 6:9b NASB
“But now, O God,
strengthen my hands.”
Kimberly, Hilton Head Island, SC
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. Psalm 139:13-14 NIV
Judy Teague, Anna, Texas
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Psalm 4:8
NIV
Melanie Toups
Bridge City, TX
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time because the days are evil. –Ephesians 5:15-16 NASB
Lynnwood, WA
Psalm 138:3
On the day I called, You answered me;
You made me bold with strength in my soul. (NASB)
Sue Bragg, Kingsport, Tennessee.
“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
Miranda Denman, Fort Worth, Texas
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 NIV
Kristy McIntyre, Eugene OR. Hebrews 12:11 NIV “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.”
Christy, Granger, IN – “Therefore, as God’s chosen, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Col. 3:12 (NIV)
Matthew 5:44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you, and persecute you,45That he may be the sons of your Father, who is in heaven,
Bellingham, WA
I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will make music. Psalm 101:1 (ESV)
What an awesome verse about His love and justice to us! May you enjoy your music and your voice of “true pitch”!
Rebecca Brown Cumming, GA
But if I were you, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. Job 5: 8-9 NIV
2-1-2015
How great are His signs, and how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation.
Daniel 4:3 NKJ