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.
Susan McDaniel, Fayetteville, GA
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:36
Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from you own stability.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 2 Peter 3:17-18 (HCSB)
Ah,Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Jer 32:17 niv
Ashley, Alexandria, La.
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (â€Romans‬ â€8‬:â€38-39‬ ESV)
Terri Assael – State College, PA
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26 NIV
Debbie Liggett, Colleyville, TX. “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”, Galatians 5:16 (NIV)
Cathy
Newark, Ohio
Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.
Hebrews 3:1 ESV
Heather Berthoud,CO
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
Yahweh my LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like those of a deerand enables me to walk on mountain heights. Habakkuk 3:19 HCSB
Robin Myers, Salem, IN Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12: 7 NIV
Cindy Landrum, Bridge City, TX
O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You know my thought from afar.
Psalm 139:1-2 (NASB)
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
Krissy Jones, Houston, TX, “You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.” NIV Galatians 5:4-5
Natalie, Anchorage AK
Psalm 59:16 NET
As for me, I will sing about your strength; I will praise your loyal love in the morning. For you are my refuge and my place of shelter when I face trouble.
Candice Mears, Annapolis, MD. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Romans 8:26 NIV
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
Immediately the boy’s father cried, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24 (NASB)
Laura in Gilbert, AZ
Psalm 50:23 NLT
But giving thanks is a sacrafice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.
Shannon Q, Springfield, MO “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” Proverbs 12:25 NIV
Lorri M. Phenix City, Al.
John 6:37 The Living Bible
But some will come to me_those the Father has given me_and I will never,never reject them.
Sandy E.; Kansas City, Missouri; “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Coronthians 9:8 NIV
Psalm 27:4
One thing I ask from the Lord,this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord, and seek him in his temple.
Corpus Christi, TX
Hosea 14:9
May those who are wise understand what is written here, and may they take it to heart. The Lord’s ways are right, and righteous people live by following them, but sinners stumble and fall because they ignore them. TEV
Katherine Emerson, Livingston, Tx
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (â€Psalm‬ â€27‬:â€14‬ ESV)
Rachael Heard, San Antonio, Tx
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.-Colossians 3:1-3
Bethany McGinn
Federal Way, WA
But He knows the way that I will take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Phils 4:19
Jodi Dalton, Dothan, AL
2Cor. 4:7
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that
this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
Lauren H., Cincinnati, OH: “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.” Romans 12:2 (PHILLIPS)
Laura DeMoss, Cleveland, OH. 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. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€18-19‬ GNB)
Amy Coltrane, Tulsa, OK
Psalm 18:19 (NKJV)
He also brought me out into a broad place;
He delivered me because He delighted in me.
Mayfield, KY. Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. ESV
Mallory Barker, Floyds Knobs, IN James 4:13-17 NIV
“Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to this city or that cuty, spend s year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a must that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “if it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
Mary
Chandler, OK
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:13 NLT
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise – in God I trust and I am not afraid.” Psalm 56:3-4 (NIV)
Forgot my city – West Columbia, SC
Sue D., Mazomanie, WI
Matthew 12:34b
For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. (NIV)
I pray that the eyes of our heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of this glorious inheritance in his holy people and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Eph 1:18-19a
Magie Wolfe Alamosa Colorado
Who is a God like you,pardoning iniquity, and
passing over transgressions for the remnant of
His inheritance? Micah 7:18 ESV
Psalm 121 :1-2
I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth. NIV
Mandi Autry, Edmond, OK…”The Lord your God is in your midst, He is a warrior who saves. He takes great delight in you; He renews you by his love. He will rejoice over you with singing, delighting in you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:17 NET/CSB/NKJ
Mitzi Garrett, Bulverde, Texas. “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ” Phillippians 1:9-10 NLT
Carrie Beth, Frankfort Ky- And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (â€Jeremiah‬ â€29‬:â€13‬ NKJV)
Deborah – Houston, TX
Phil 1:3-6 (ESV) – I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Nancy Coon, Newport News, VA
The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. (NIV)
Prov. 22:3
Shirley McCoy says: Hard work is profit, mere talk leads to poverty. NLT Shirley McCoy, Belton TX
Candace, Wahpeton ND
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Megan, Salisbury MD “as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.” Philippians 1:20 ESV
Suanne McDonald from Archibald, LA
God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV
Angela Selzer Jackson Missouri Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have for He himself has said “I will never desert you not forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NASB
Tasha J., Edmond, OK
May all my thoughts be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the LORD. –Psalms 104:34 NLT