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.
Keri – Canton, Michigan.
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. (â€2 Thessalonians‬ â€3‬:â€16‬ ESV)
Fort Worth, TX
1 Chronicles 18:4b NIV
“First seek the counsel of the Lord”.
Casey Middleton, College Station, TX
And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans. Romans 8:28 NIV
Amy Toney, Houston TX: “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 mportal man do to me?” – Psalm 56:3-4 NIV
sherry luoma~powder springs, ga
he who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
psalm 91:1 nasb
Meghan DeHart
Hatch,NM
1 Corinthians 9:22
“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people that by all means I might save some.” ESV
Lorra Brown, Anderson, Missouri
“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is slave of the lender.” Proverbs 22:7, ESV
Linda Wright, Sugar Land, Tx – 1 Samuel 2:3 “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by Him deeds are weighed.” NIV
Keri Conley, Winchester, KY.
2 Timothy 1:7, ESV, For God gave us a spirit NOT of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Emma Lail, Hickory, NC
I will make you my wife forever,
showing you righteousness and justice,
unfailing love and compassion.
I will be faithful to you and make you mine,
and you will finally know me as the Lord.
Hosea 2:19-20
Erin – Littleton, CO:
For we live by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV
Kathryn from Norcross, GA: Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25: 4-5 NIV
Stephanie – Tampa, FL
Proverbs 31:26 – When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness (NLT)
For my light and momentary troubles are achieving for me an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
So I fix my eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:17, 18 NIV
Question: is it OK to change the pronouns and personalize
the verse???
Patti, Tampa, Florida
John 4:10 NKJ
Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the Gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you Living Water.”
Jess Magee, Kennesaw, Ga
I Thessalonians 1:1-5
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace.
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly[a] mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers[b] loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
Amy Z and Hollie R, Sebring, FL
Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (NIV)
Lisa, Newark DE
Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth…”Exodus 34:6 (NASB)
Jennifer James from Houston, TX:”I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” Philippians 3:10 NIV
Kiva, Irvine, California. “One thing I have asked of the Lord, that I will seek, inquire for, and require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord ( in His presence ) all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple. ” Psalm 27:4 AMP
Lourdes Minor, Decatur, Georgia. “And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell,” Mark‬ â€9‬:â€47‬ ESV.
Julie Walker, Noblesville, IN
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…” NIV
Sara Middleton, Kingsville, TX “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” Psalm 143:8, NIV
ANN CREMAR
TOLEDO OHIO
PHILIPPIANS: 2:14 NKJV
” Do all things without complaining and disputing.”
Emily Drake, Heath, Ohio
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
“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.”
Laina Okura, Indianapolis, Indiana “For in this hope we are saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” Romans 8:24-25, ESV
Isaiah 40:28
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
Laurel M. ~ Houston, TX ~ “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 (NIV)
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
Lauren Kennedy, Denham Springs, LA
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5, NIV
Betty Taylor, Albany GA
Isaiah 14:27 (NLT)
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has spoken, who can change his plans? When his hand is raised, who can stop him?
Twyla, Greenville, KY
“For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. Colossians 1:16 NIV
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first, then also to the Greek. Romans 1:16 ESV
Heather R. – Grand Lake, La
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (â€Psalms‬ â€23‬:â€4‬ NKJV)
Lisa Rogers, Valley Center, KS But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. (â€Psalm‬ â€13‬:â€5‬ NIV)
Kelsey Long, Chickasha, OK
“Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
Acts 15:10-11 ESV
Lori, Lascassas, TN
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Phillipians 4:5 NIV
Bonnie, Alexandria, LA
“Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.” Psalms 119:165 NLT
Kerry L Durham NC Psalm 22:22King James Version (KJV)
22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
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.
-Zephaniah 3:17
Kim Robustellini, Yreka, CA
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. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Deby A. New Carlisle, OH
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)
FOR WE WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT.
Amy Shinlever dublin oh
Luke 1:45
Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished
Dean Barbourville, Ky
I seek you with all my heart; do notet me stray from Your commands.
Psalm 119:10 NIV
For our struggle is not with flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12
Joy Huber, Indian Trail, NC
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
John 10-11NIV
Kelly Morency, Sevierville, TN
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep on praying. – Romans 12:12 NLT
Hailey Tucker, Brandon, MS
2 Corinthians 12:10
So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Kathy Sanford, Lake Jackson, Texas
Luke 15:7. HCSB
I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don’t need repentance.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory God. Romans 3:23