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.
Jodi, virginia beach
Jan verse #2 ( late)
Psalm 139:23=24
Seaech me, o God, and know my heart; test me
and know my anxious thought. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. Isaiah 61:1, NIV
Terri Fullerton, Abilene, TX (have not had enough coffee yet)
I LOVE you this comment! Coffee is a food group after all. I feel ya, sister! Many blessings as you study this beautiful verse!
Michelle Bentham | Granbury, TX
“O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.” ~ Isaiah 25:1 (NIV)
Ann Medford, Sunset, TX, I Peter 3:14-16 NIV, But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere 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, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Williamstown NJ
Isaiah 46:3-4 NOT
I have cared for you since you were born. Yes I have carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.
Sandra Hicks Houston, Tx. Long ago, even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave Him great pleasure. (Eph. 1:4-5 NLT)
Barbara Bollman Fargo ND
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15.13 NIV
Denise, Winfield, Missouri
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
Tina, Dix Hills, NY:
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Melanie Jennings – Starkville, MS
For ye are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:3, NKJV
Tanya Smith
Kenosha Wisconsin
Hosea 2:23 NASB Ref. Also for fun Romans 9:25-26
I will sow her for myself in the land. I will also have compassion on her who has not obtained compassion, and I will say to those who were not my people, “You are my people!” and they will say, “You are my God!”
Sandie Powell, Albuquerque NM
Psalm 139:3 KJV
“Thou compasseth my path and my lying down,
and art acquainted with all my ways.”
Elizabeth Johnston
Guilin, China
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.
-Hebrews 12:28-29 (ESV)
Kym, Castle Rock, Co
However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. (â€1 Corinthians‬ â€2‬:â€9-10‬ NIV)
Beth Belflower
Caddo Mills, texas
Psalm 121:5-8
The Lord is your keeper,
The Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all evil;
He will keep your life.
The Lord will keep your going out and coming in from this time forth and forever more.
English Standard Version
Dawn, Orland Park, IL: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 (NIV
Robin Sandlin from Denver City, Tx . Let us acknowledge the Lord;
Let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will
appear, He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains
that water the earth. Hosea 6:3
Mona Huston, Bossier City, La – But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (â€John‬ â€14‬:â€26‬ NIV)
Brenda Payne, Midlothian, VA. “You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.” Psalm 139:4 ESV
Debbie Fitzpatrick, Bossier City, LA. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Psalm 139:23 NLT
Kay Guerrero, Deer Park, TX
Psalm 139:3-4 (ESV)
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
Romans 6:14 (NKJV)
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Sharla Robertson, Granbury, TX. “Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.” (â€Proverbs‬ â€9‬:â€10‬ NLT)
Cathy Morris Sedona, AZ ” By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”
Heb 11:8 ESV
Lisa L., Claremore, OK
Psalm 51:1 (NASB)
Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.
‘But the Lord says, ‘Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago. Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already-you can see it now! I will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there.” Isaiah 43:18-19 GNB
Arlas, Artesia, NM
The Lord himself goes before you and he will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Berni, Albuquerque
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing
hymns to God, anmd the other prisoners were listening
to them.” Acts 16:25 NIV
Rebekah Athens, OH
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
Colossians 3:23 NIV
Pam in Chiangmai, Thailand — Galatians 2:21 (NLT)
I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.
Denise Adams
Oneonta, Al.
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.’
NIV
Christy, Cape Girardeau, MO. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people. Leviticus 19:18a (NIV)
Gwen Wray, Miami, OK
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 KJV
Rebecca Holmes, Birmingham, Alabama
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14 NIV
Susan from NM
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Here is verse reference: Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV
Kaitlin W. Rockwall, Tx. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for
the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. Colossians 3:23-24 NIV.
AShley Norris, Augusta, Georgia
Hebrew 13:5-6 (NIV)
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
Cindy, Beaumont, TX. “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV
Elizabeth Cory, Macomb, MI
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
Sara Martin, Houston, TX: “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17, NIV
Bonnie from Bellaire, TX. I keep asking that the Gof our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better. Ephesians 1:17 NIV84
Cedarville, OH
Exodus 34:6 ESV “The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.'”
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 ESV
Kim, Gaithersburg, MD Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her. (Luke 1:45 – NIV)
Lori Thompson, McKinney, TX
Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
KItty, Bend, Oregon ‘I said to the LORD, You are my Lord, I have no good besides You.’
Psalm37:5-6 The Message
Open up before God, keep nothing back,he’ll do whatever
needs to be done. He’ll validate your life in the clear light of day and stamp you with approval at high noon.
Portland,OR
Laurel Montealegre, White Pigeon, Michigan
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:1-2 NIV
Amy – Kalamazoo, Michigan
“Bread grain is crushed but is not threshed endlessly. Though the wheel of the farmer’s cart rumbles, his horses do not crush it.” Isaiah 28:28 HCSB
sherry
Indianapolis,IN
” 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