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.
Amanda: Catlett, VA
Deuteronomy 6:4-6 (NKJV in English & in Hebrew)
4 Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your hears, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
4 Shema Yisrael Adonai eloheinu Adonai echad. 5 ve’ahavta et Adonai eloheykha bekhol-levavkha u’vekhol nafshekha u’vekhol me’odekha. 6 ve’hayu hadevarim ha’eileh asher anokhi metzavekha haiyom al-levavekha.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but a,,gainst principalities, against powers, against the ruler’s of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Eph 6:12 kjv
Donna Alsop, Bakersfield, CA
“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)
Patricia Meier, Gambrills, MD
Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-
and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift from God-
Alissa; Lexington, SC:
“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before Him with thanksgiving
and extol Him with music and song.” Psalm 95:1-2 (NIV)
Dee Remick, Zeeland MI From NIV84
Psalm 139:3 “You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.”
Michelle O’Banion, Grandview, Tx
1 Corinthians 2:9 AMP
But, on the contrary, as the Scripture says, What eye has not seen and ear has not heard and has not entered into the heart of man, [all that] God has prepared (made and keeps ready) for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him and gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed]. [Isa. 64:4; 65:17.]
The Lord Almighty has sworn this oath. It will happen as I have planned. It will come about according to my purposes
Isaiah 14:24
New Living Translation
Denise Adams
Oneonta, Al.
The LORD your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.’
Zeph. 3:17
NIV
Andrea McCay, Oneonta, AL
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 NIV
Maureen, Pascoag, RI
The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low, he also exalts.
1 Samuel 2:7 NRSV
Gigi from West Milton, Ohio
Isaiah 26:3 ESV
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you,
Because he trusts in you.
Teresa, Walla Walla, Proverbs 21:23 NLT
“If you keep your mouth shut, you will stay out of trouble.” 🙂
Judy, Apple Valley, CA
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you” (â€Ephesians‬ â€4‬:â€32‬ NIV)
Carol Reid in Kansas City
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. (â€1 John‬ â€4‬:â€18-19‬ NIV)
Carolyn Stutz, Dover, Ohio
“Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” Gal 5:26 NIV
Valerie, Ontario (Mansfield), Ohio
“There is only one strong, safe, and secure place for me; It’s in God alone, and I love Him! He’s the One who gives me strength and skill for the battle.” Psalm 144:1. TPT (The Passion Translation).
Susie, Northville, MI
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in
the earth. (Psalm 46:10. NIV)
Tiffany | Fresno, CA |
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, & to live self controlled, upright & godly lives in the present age. | Titus 2:11-12
Sue Middeldorf – Troy, Michigan – “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7 (NIV)
Alexis, San Angelo, TX
“The Lord is at hand; 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
Julie Ratcliff, Texarkana, TX, “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (â€Romans‬ â€8‬:â€6‬ NIV)
Susan; Allison Park, PA
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31″25 New Living Translation
Michelle, West Des Moines, IA
He must become greater; I must become less.
John 3:30 NIV
Amee from Hercules, CA
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NLT)
Julie Kopanke, Leonardtown, MD
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble” Psalm 46:1 NIV
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Many are the plans of a man’s heart, but it’s the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
Sherry Meade, Florida
Matthew 9:22 ESV
‘Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.’
Sally: Sturgis, MI
The Lord roars from Zion,
and utters His voice from Jerusalem,
and the heavens and the earth quake.
But the Lord is a refuge to His people,
a stronghold to the people of Israel.
Joel 3:16 (ESV)
Judy, Satellite Beach, FL
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
Thank you, Beth.
Dawn Vaughn, Highlands Ranch, CO
Galations 5:16 ESV
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Cherie, Savannah, GA
Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.
Proverbs 16:3 NASB
Hannah Hancock from Winter Haven, FL
“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13:2 (NKJV)
Regina Orr, Floydada, Tx.
“Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise, Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.” ~Micah 7:8 (ESV)
12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! James 2:12-13 NIV
Marsha from Carmel In
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (â€2 Peter‬ â€1‬:â€4‬ NIV)
Jeremiah 6:16 NIV
This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Lisa Cooper, Fort Worth, Texas. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 NIV
Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. (â€John‬ â€1‬:â€16‬ NIV)
Lara Kerris, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Psalm 24:1 (NASV) “The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains/ The world, and those who dwell in it.”
Mickie, Arab, AL
Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:22-24, NLT
Celeste Dillehay, Thompson’s Station, TN:
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16:8 (NIV)
Jeni Smith, Winfield, TN
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee. Trust he in the Lord forever, for the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:3-4
Sue Martinez Simi Valley CA
1 Thessalonians 5:5 ESV
For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or darkness.
Jennifer Deibel, Vienna, Austria:
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34 NIV
Andi
Lincoln NE
“But those that hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Casey Springer, Murray Ky
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings,or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I we’re still trying to please people.I would not be a servant of Christ.
Galatians 1:10 NIV
Edmond, OK
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Eph 6:10-12
Lisa Curtis, Jackson, Missouri
May the Lord direct my heart to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 ESV