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;
9 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.
10 But He knows the way that I take;
when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
11 My foot has held fast to his steps;
I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
12 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.
Lisa S. Houston, TX
This is love; not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
– John 4:10 NIV
Kristi R, Monroe, NY
“For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
Erica K., Atmore, AL
Proverbs 31:26
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue us the law of kindness. (NKJV)
Rebecca, Murfreesboro Tn,
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NIV
Kim, Trenton, TX
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways!
Romans 11:33 ESV
Pam McKenzie Lake Mary, Florida
Psalm 16:5-6 “5 Lord, You alone are my portion and my cup; You make my lot secure. 6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance!
Psalm 16:5-6 NIV. Sorry!
Jenni S, Pittsburgh, PA
2 Timothy 4:18 (ESV)
The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
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 .
Ephesions 4:29 NIV
Jenn Loewen
Gresham, OR
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
Luke 10:19 NKJV
Melissa H., London, ON, Canada
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16, ESV).
Debi Detroyer, Emmett, MI
Let all that I am praise the Lord, with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Psalm 103:1 NLT
Emily Miceli, Glendale, CA
“You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.” Psalm 4:7 NIV
Lori, McDonough, GA – Jabez cried out to the Lord of Isarel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. 1 Chronicles 4:10
Laura Best, Kenly, NC
“Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8 NIV
Judy, Virginia
“They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” Psalm 112:7 NIV
Gina Webster, Houston, Texas. Instead, put on The Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to arouse it’s desires. Romans 13:14 NET
Jeri of Missouri City, TX
Proverbs 2:6 (NIV)
For the Lord gives wisdom;
from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Mindy – McDonough, GA
Isaiah 26:8 (NIV)
Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.
Matthew 14:27 “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.” ESV
Richmond, TX
Deborah, Hartsville, SC “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear and will trust in the LORD.” -Psalm 40:3 NASB
Kathy Pearl, Griffin, Ga.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)
2 cor. 5:7 NKJV
For we walk by faith not by sight .
Kathy McDonald
Waco tx
Sandra in Richmond, TX
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 (ESV)
According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death. (Philippians 1:20)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 [NKJV]
Glenda Self
Nederland, TX
1John 2:5-6 NLT
But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are loving in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
Brooke Rosetti Wiggins, MS
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. (James 3:9-10 NIV)
Susie Suther – Madill, OK
and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:3 NIV)
North East, PA
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:2 ESV
Lynne, Telford, PA
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Eph 2:8-9 ESV
Jeanette Plummer, Mesquite, TX
“Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” Matthew 16:25 (NIV)
Conyers, GA
Romans 8:18 KJV
“18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Jen S. Cedarburg, WI
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30
Jessica, West Columbia, SC “Worship the Lord your God, and his blessings will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you.” Exodus 23:25 NIV
Stephanie Smith, Sioux Falls, SD. Psalm 16:5-6 ESV
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; love does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart
Jeremiah 29:13 ESV
Christina Drown Fort Worth, TX
Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires off your heart Ps 37:4 ESV
Paula, Russell, KY “The Lord Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Exodus 14:14 NLT
Jennifer Henderson, Raleigh, Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 118:1, ESV
Marilyn Gillis, Florence, AL
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
Heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock
And Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NIV
Elizabeth Miller, Cullman,Alabama. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 NIV
Belinda J., Menard,Texas
Proverbs 7: 2-3
Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
Shana Hodge, Dequincy, LA
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) 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.
Amy Guth, Canton, Mississpi
“Make me to know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.”
Psalm 25:4 ESV
Jennifer Lane, Grand Rapids, MI
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” Philipians 4:8 (NIV)
Sterlington, LA And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 6: 6-7 NKJV
You will seek me, and you will find me.
Because you will seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 GNB
Johannah, Alexandria, LA
“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Prov. 18:21 nlt
Psalms 94:19 When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up. (The Message)