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.
Annie
Dallas, TX
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26
NKJ
Numbers
A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 16:23-24 (NIV)
Penny – Mansfield, OH
Don’t be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Luke 12:32
“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 NIV
Angie Wilt, Kansas City, Missouri. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (ESV)
Lissa, Flowery Branch, GA. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. James 1:26 (ESV)
Psalm 1:3-4 (NLT)
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper. 4 But this is not true of the wicked. They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
Lori Keeton, Sheppard AFB, TX. “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)
Elaina Weaver, Heber Springs, AR
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 (ESV)
Jennifer Haglund; Story City, Iowa: “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
I patiently waited, LORD, for You to hear my prayer. Yout listened. Psalm 40:1 (CEV)
Jill, Oak Ridge, TN
But you, O Lord are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. Psalm 3:3 (ESV)
Jacqueline Davidson Sarnia On Canada
Psalm 25:3(NIV)
No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame,but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.
Karen,Indep.Mo.”Never will I leave you;never will I forsake you” Hebrews 13:5 NIV
Michelle, Queen City,TX
“Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Jesus Christ”
Romans 8:1 NIV
M.J. in Lovington, NM
“Cast your burden on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Psalm 55:22 ESV
Jodi Potgeter, Grandville, MI
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV)
Valarie G., Bristow, VA
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Oops…John 3:16 (NASB)
Susan in Grand Rapids,Michigan
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7 ESV
Jennifer Giugliano, Lexington, SC “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1 NLT
Jessy Perzel, Lakeville, MN “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.” Romans 12:11 (ESV)
I lied – that’s the NLT translation – not the ESV translation. : )
Kim Haines, Ashland, ME
” I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.” (NIV)
Sandy
Elba, Alabama
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 NIV
Kathy from Chandler, OK
“He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” (â€John‬ â€3‬:â€30‬ NLT)
Megan, Stow, OH And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Gal 6:9, ESV
Megan, Goodlettsville, TN “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” John 15:7 (NIV)
Lori Montgomery, Yukon, OK
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV
“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold”.
Job 23:10 ESV
Wadesboro NC Ephesians 1:12 KJV That we should be to the praise of his glory who first trusted in Christ.
Shawna Pelatari, Houston, Tx
“And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.” Proverbs 3:6 NASB
Michelle Kukshtel, Warner Robins, GA
The Lord will fight for me; I need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 NIV (personalized)
Laura Wassink, Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Do not conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12 : 2 NIV
Shanen Pankrez, Grapevine, Tx. “for kings and those in authority that we may live peacefully and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
1 Timothy 2:2 – NIV
Eph.5:15 NLT
Be careful how you live your life, don’t live
Like fools, but like those who are wise.
(Don’t waste time)
Christine Valentino from maryville tn.
Debbie Berman, Boyd, TX “I will praise you forever for what you have done. In the presence of your faithful people, I will put my hope in Your name, for it is good.” Psalm 52:9 HCSB
Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
1 John 3:18 NLT
Reba, Houston, TX
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Joni from Johnston, Iowa
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33 King James version
Lisa Vogt, Rootstown, Ohio. “He subdued the nations under us, peoples under our feet.” Psalm 47:3 NIV
Holly Barrett, Crossnore NC
So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty. Zechariah 4:6 NIV
Kimberley, Greensboro.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.(Proverbs 3:5)
Tiffany Kiker, Amarillo, TX
Psalms 143:10 (NIV)
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Kate Kiker, Amarillo, TX (Age 11)
Psalms 37:4 (NIV)
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Dana Penley, Chicago IL “No one is to return through the gate by which he entered, but each is to go out the opposite gate.” Ezekiel 46:9b NIV
Anna Lange, Mobile, Alabama.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. â€Hebrews‬ â€4‬:â€16‬ KJV
Ellen Ratcliff, Sevierville, TN
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 (NIV)
Katie, Mount Dora, FL
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Psalm 51:3, NIV
Joanna Goforth, Lees Summit, MO “For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
and I walk in your faithfulness.” Psalm 26:3 ESV
Leslie Brown from Denver, Colorado
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NKJ
Allie Schielack, Houston, Texas. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 NIV