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.
Karen, Denver, Colorado “But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.” (â€Exodus‬ â€17‬:â€12‬ ESV)
Mary Ruth Franklin
Lanexa, VA
He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
Isaiah 40:29-31 (NASB)
Amanda W. Calgary, AB Canada. “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2, NIV.
Allie J. , Jonesboro, AR
Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.This is the first and greatest commandment and the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40 NLT
Terri Henson, Pleasant Hope, MO
This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 1 John 3:19-20 (NIV)
Sheila, Loveland, Ohio
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
psalm.105.4.niv
Brandy A., cross Anchor, SC
We are praying, too, that you will be filled with his mighty, glorious strength so that you can keep going no matter what happens – always full of the joy of the Lord. Colossians 1:11 (The Living Bible)
DeeDee Martin
Katy, Tx
Matthew 11:29 NIV
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Daniela Elliott
Abingdon,Maryland
Ephesians 3:20 NCV
With Gods power working in us,God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine.
Joan Wetzel, New Orleans, Louisiana
Matthew 6:30
“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!” (NASB)
Kamea Hope, Ontario Canada
For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. (NLT) Colossians 1:13-14
Andrea in Independence, KY
Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Marsha Lees Summit MO
Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6. NKJV
Jaclyn, Houston, TX. “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6 ESV
Luann Hansen, Harlan, Iowa
“I love the Lord because He hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!”
Psalm 116:1-2 NLT
Tessa Oestman, Alliance, Nebraska.
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him! Isaiah 30:18 NIV
Julie, Clymer, NY
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.
Colossians 1:10 Niv.
Mary Koester, Alcoa, Tn:
Psalm 103:11(NASB):
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him
“If any if you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 NIV
Ashley weisenberger marathon, wi
John3:16 niv
For god so loved the world he gave his only begotten son so that we would
Not perish but live.
Lisa, Lexington NC, you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5 NIV
Karen Smith, Denton TX. “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19
Linzi from Slidell, LA
‘He has not dealt with us as our sins merit,
nor requited us as our wrongs deserve.’ Psalms 103:10
Nancy Boone, Westfield, IN.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
Dana Jennings, Boone, IA “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” Phil. 2:5-7 NIV
Kim Davis, Bristol, Tenn.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Cor 15:58 ESV)
Rachel L., Edmond, OK
Psalm 91:11:
“For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” -NIV
Bethany Mowat, Evart, Michigan But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comets to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6 KJV
Rita, Sevierville, TN
“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23 NIV
Tambra Singletary, Elko, Georgia
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. Psalms 56:3 NIV
Sara Weick, Jonesboro, AR
James 1:14-15 (NIV)
“But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own desires and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full grown, gives birth to death.”
Debra Taylor, Madison Mississippi
James 2:8-13 “If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. 11 For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.”
NASB
Kayla Smith
Denton, TX
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19
Mindy, Indiana
John 8:31-32 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (ESV)
Bethany Mowat, Evart, Michigan But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6 KJV
Morgan Best, Raleigh, NC – Romans 1:16 “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 and also to the Greek.”
Katie Moran
Arlington, TX
Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Tiffany Cash Zanesville, OH SSMT Week #3 Ephesians 4:2-4 NLT
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.
“I have told
You these things so that in me
You have peace. In this world
You will have trouble, but take heart.
I have overcome the world”
John 16:33. NIV
Marcy Stearns Redmond Oregon
The LORD is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation. This is my God and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. The LORD is a warrior; Yaweh is His name. Exodus 15:2-3 HCSB
Sandra Kelly, Laramie, WY. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
Toni Martin, Madisonville, KY “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” Ephesians 6:13 NLT
karianne l, stillwater mn: “restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” Psalm 51:12 niv
Amanda, Fort Payne, AL
“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”
Job 23:10 NIV
“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1 ESV
Lori, Northumberland, PA
Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble;
Incline Your ear to me.
In the day the I call, answer me speedily. Psalm 102:2
Rhonda, Kingston, OK
‘Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.’ I Peter 3:3-4 NIV
Heidi K. Phoenix, AZ
Psalm 103:17-18
But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him and His righteousness to children’s children, To those who keep His covenant and remember his precepts to do them.
Deanna Ellis, Lexington, SC “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” James 1:19 NIV
Malinda Guider, Chattanooga, TN. “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)