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 4:4&5 ” Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Nancy Ringer, Houston, TX Psalm 105:4 (NIV)
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always!
Lisa Neuenschwander, Grover Beach, CA
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
Alyssa Neal
Houston, TX
“Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange of your life.” Isaiah 43:4
Marg Crozier, Yeosu, S. Korea ” Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.”
I Peter 1:8 (ESV)
Nancy-Yonges Island, SC
“Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”
Romans 13:13-14 NKJ
Ashley Schenck
Fishers, IN
“Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4
NIV
Melanie Anderson, Groesbeck, TX
“Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:3 NIV(1984)
Ellaville, Ga
Matthew 6:33-34
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Courtney Dougan, Gainesville, GA. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16 (NIV)
Rhonda, Hermon, Maine
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 ESV
Charmaine, Miami, FL — “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 NIV
Jackie, Richardson, Texas
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NIV
Thank you. I needed this today, both the post and the verses.
Melinda, Independence, MO
“I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.” Job 23:12 (NIV)
“When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.” Psalm 94:19 (NASB)
Melissa
Midlothian, VA
Matthew 6:34New International Version (NIV)
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€2‬ ESV
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Tammie Rue, Sherman, IL. “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
Linda Ballard, Waxahachie, TX, “Serve only the LORD your God and fear Him alone. Obey His commands, listen to His voice and cling to Him.” Deuteronomy 13:4 NLT
Margie Willis, Misawa, Japan
“Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.” 1 John 2:9 ESV
Jennie Hilliard, Denham Springs, LA
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Cor 5:17 NIV
Mary Beth Nickerson, Lascassas, TN “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. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” (â€James‬ â€1‬:â€5-6‬ NIV)
Donna
Tampa, FL
Psalm 25:7 NIV
Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you LORD are good.
Becca Williams, Irvine Ca
“The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.”
Proverbs‬ â€14‬:â€1‬ NASB
Robyn Wong
Roswell, GA
Rejoice in The Lord always, again I say, rejoice. Phil.4.4 NASB
Jodi, Sundown TX, Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel. (â€Ephesians‬ â€6‬:â€19‬ NIV)
Jodi Pinkham
Tabernacle, NJ
“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
Yet He knows the way I have taken;
When He has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold
Job 23:10 HCSB
Linda Turner, San Diego, California.
It laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; it does not shy away from the sword. Job 39:22 NIV
Karen Beckles, Toronto Canada “Commit everything you do to the Lord, trust Him and He will help you” Psalms 37:5 NLT
Danielle, Evansville, IN
“…for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” Philippians 2:13 (NIV)
Kay Chambers in Florence, SC “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the skies proclaim his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1 NIV
Kathy Madison, CT
John 15:4 (NKJV)
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
Tracy Pouncy Lynchburg, VA:
John 15:7 (KJV): If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it should be done unto you.
Misti Robinson from Houston, TX
“Don not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
In your relationship with one another, have the same mindset as Jesus Christ:
Philippians 2:5 (NIV)
Tonya Thibodeaux – DeQuincy, Louisiana
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
If you have ever watched your teenage daughter suffer from the pressures of this jugemental society, suffer and hurt from the pains of “mean girls” and take it as far as damaging herself as a means to cope, this verse may speak to you. My daughter is struggling with these issues. Her self image and body image is as low as I have ever seen her. Every morning I put a verse on her mirror reminding her of how God sees her and that she is perfectly made. I pray that God speaks to her through that image in her mirror. That He comforts her, encourages her and strengthens her and most importantly…that He loves her.
Karen U, New York
Do what God’s word says. Don’t merely listen to it or you will fool yourselves. James 1:22. GWT
“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation” (Isaiah 12:2).
Jill T. Bristol, TN
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NKJV)
Julie Richardson, Grand Rapids, MI
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.—I Corinthians 5:20 NIV
Utica, Ohio
I Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord, your labor is not in vain.
Cheryl Wright Everett, Washington
1 Corinthians 10:13c The Message (MSG)
13c All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.
Ravonne McCray, Little River Academy, TX. “Trust your work to the Lord, and your plans will work out well.” Proverbs 16:3 (NLV)
Proverbs 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 NIV
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Ephesians 6:10 NIV
Gretchen from Eau Claire, WI
And he said to man, “The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.” Job 28:28 NIV
Kodak, TN Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Galatians 6:1 NLT