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.
Melissa, Austin AR
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Phillipians 3:7
Jessica Hudson, Wyoming Mi.
Ephesians 2:8 NRSV
For by grace you have been saved through faith,and this is not your doing; it is the gift of God.
Barbara
Midland,Texas
Psalm 103:5-6 (ESV)
“Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.”
Skylar, Baton Rouge
Philippians 1:7-8
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. NIV
February 1, 2015
“He that overcometh shall inherit all things: and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” Revelation 21:17 KJV
Becky Johnson, Deland Florida,
But in your hears honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who ask you fora reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
1 Peter 3:15 ESV
Lindsey Smith
Melbourne, Fl
“Those who listen to instruction will prosper, those who trust the Lord will be joyful.” – Proverbs 16:20
Proverbs 3:6 NLT – 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths
Bonnie
Pottsville, PA
Malachi 3:16 NIV
Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored His name.
Angie Diemer, Battle Creek Michigan. ” For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20 NKJV
Sharon Hamilton
Mactaquac, N.B.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“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.”
Sarah W. Port St. Lucie, FL
“Blessed is he who preserves under trail; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:12
Jessica Fearn
Massillon, Ohio
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren,let every man be swift to hear , slow to speak, slow to wrath:
For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20 KJV
“and though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide Himself any more, but your eyes will constantly behold your Teacher. And your ears will hear a word saying, This is the way; walk in it, when you turn the right hand and turn to the left” Isaiah 30:20, 21 Amplified bible
Jennifer Riddle, Grovetown, GA
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. (â€Zephaniah‬ â€3‬:â€17‬ ESV)
Robyn-Lugoff, SC
But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
Colossians 3:8
NKJV
Anne Roline, Morristown, TN
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 NIV
Lily Green, Madison, Alabama
“For the Lord your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that he will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you.” Deuteronomy 23:14 (NIV)
Sheri
Georgetown, TX
Psalm 57:2 I will cry to God Most High, to God who accomplishes all things for me. (NASB)
Laura Richards, North Las Vegas, NV
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. (â€Hebrews‬ â€6‬:â€19a‬ NIV)
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. Romans‬ â€11‬:â€33-36‬
Helen, Plano, TX
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thine ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
Mary Beth Lassiter
Franklinton, NC
Jeremiah 29:11-13
11 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. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Bonny
Mitchell, South Dakota
For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13
Joan, Carter Lake IA
They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. (â€Psalm‬ â€112‬:â€7‬ NIV)
Hayley Barnett Pike Road, AL
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. (â€Colossians‬ â€3‬:â€12-14‬ MSG)
Sarah k Pannell Blue Springs,Ms 2 Corinthians 9:8 and God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work .
11 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. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jer 29: 11-13 NIV
Jessica Porche
Dover, TN
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:10 ESV
Kelly Fleck
Morehead, KY
But God demonstrates his own love for us in , in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 NKJV
Susan Turner, Shelby,NC
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. (â€Acts‬ â€20‬:â€24‬ NIV)
Tammy Nunnally, Lawrenceville, GA. “As we look not to things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal ” 2 Corinthians 4:18
Cara Roberts, Byron, Illinois. “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV
Kerry, Nederland, Texas
(Finishing Psalms 15)
Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.
Psalm 15:5
Jen Pond, Iron River, MI
Isaiah 30:21 NLT
Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,
“This is the way, walk in it.”
Whenever you turn to the right hand
or whenever you turn to the left.
“When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?”
Psalm 56:3-4
Marsha R. Lexington Park, MD
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord.
Psalm 150:5-6 NIV
“Teach me to do your will,
For you are my God!
Let your good Spirit
lead me on level ground!
Psalms 143:10 ESV
Forgot to add location
West Palm Beach, FL
Lauren Matson, Prattville, AL: “Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; renew my life according to your word.” Psalm119:36-37 NIV
Sherry Longview, Texas 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
James 1:5 (NIV)
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. (â€Colossians‬ â€3‬:â€14-15‬ ESV)
Tammy deGaravilla. Silsbee,Texas. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105:4. NIV
Holly Smith Monument, Colorado
“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD. Be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! ” Psalm 27:13-14 esv
Laurie Watkins
Arlington Tx
Psalms 91:1 KJV
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high,shall abide under the shadow of the ighty
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for The Lord and not for men. “. Colossians 3:23 NIV
Lee Sullivan, Tampa, FL
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the lord . “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Sarah Putnam
Greensboro, NC
“You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.” -Psalm 139:3 (NIV)
Sarah-Elaine Jarrett, Huntington, WV
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1 KJV
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Tammy, St Louis, MO,
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. Psalm 145:18-19 ESV