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.
Lisa Braun
Warman, SK Canada
By the seventh day God completed His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done. God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, for on it He rested from His work of creation. Genesis 2:2-3 HCSB
Inspired by the Breathe study on the Sabbath by Priscilla Shirer 🙂
Tara Saunders, Aurora, Ontario. “Do not be anxious about anything, But in everything by prayer and supplication, With thanksgiving let your requests be known 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, (ESV)
Beverly Rogers, Baskin, Louisiana
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
Becky from Vicksburg, MS
You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. Job 11:18 NIV
Jackie, Noblesville, IN
The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 NIV
Amanda Dolinger, Westfield, NC. Hatred stirs up conflict but Love covers over all wrongs. Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning. -Proverbs 10:12-13, NIV
Kelly, Enid OK
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Missy Sawyer Columbia, SC “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” John 4:11 NASB
“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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13. NIV.
Chrissy, San Tan Valley, AZ
“though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your soul.” 1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV84
Cassie H, Mechanicsburg, PA
“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel…” Phil 1:27. ESV
Haley
Russellville, AR
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. (â€Proverbs‬ â€17‬:â€22‬ NLT)
Jennifer T, Grove City, Ohio
1 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.
Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
Emily, Indianapolis, IN
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.- Mark 13:31 (NIV)
Angela, Lexington KY
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2) NKJV
Brandi Wesson, Deatsville AL
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Beatrice Brackin, Lookout Mountain, GA. “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 NIV
Kimberly
Beachburg, ON Canada
“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight” Proverbs 3:6
Molly Legg, Gainesville GA
“Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”
Proverbs 3:3 NASB
Rhonda, Fargo, NN
People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 17:6c NIV
Heather Mills, Bangor, Maine.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.” Ephesians 1:3-4 (NASB)
Joshua 24:15-16 Therefor fear the Lord and worship Him in sincerity and truth. Get rid of the gods your ancestors worshipped beyond the Euphrates river and in Egypt and worship the Lord. But if it doesn’t please you to worship the Lord choose for yourselves today the one you will worship: the gods your fathers worshipped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my family we will worship the Lord.
Michelle Johnson, Hart, MI
Set a guard, oh Lord, over my mouth,keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalms 141:3 NASB
Wendy Fischer, Milo, IA
Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal. Is 26:4 NIV
Beth, Andover, MN: Psalm 25:5 “Lead me by Your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in You.”
Joanne Verzi from Austin, TX: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV
Sheila, Tecumseh, OK “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecc 3:1 (NIV)
Come to me all who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest
Matthew 11:28
Psalms 43:3–4 NLT
“Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you do well. Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight.”
Yvonne Green Canton, NC “Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you.” — Exodus 18:19
Yvonne Green Canton, NC I accidently posted the wrong scripture below is the one I will be memorizong
“A wise man will hear and increase in learning,
And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,” — Proverbs 1:5 NASB
Joyce
Sparta, NJ
“With my whole heart I seek You; let me not wander from Your commandments.”
Psalm 119:10
Liz Kelley, College Station, Tx
2 Timothy 4:5
“But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardships, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” (NIV)
Sarah, Jefferson City, MO
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Aloha Bishop
Keller TX
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowl around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8 ESV
Ashley, Statesboro, GA 30458 “…walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love..” Ephesians 4:1-2 ESV
Renee DeJarnette, Alexandria, KY
Repent, then, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you-even Jesus.
Acts 3: 19-20, NIV
Carol ~ Webb City, MO
But godliness with contentment is great gain. I Timothy 6:6 (NIV)
Margaret, Falls Church VA
because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14 (NIV)
Sherri Frey, Hagerstown MD
The wise women builds her house but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. Proverbs 14:1 (NIV)
All things are possible if you believe.
Mark 9.23
Heidi Duffield. DeWitt, AR. “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.” Hebrews 4:14 (ESV)
Jennifer, Tomball, TX “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Prov 12:18 NIV
Tara Milligan, Stigler,OK. “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossal 4:5-6 NIV
Holly Longmont, CO
We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 NLT
Fay, Springfield,NO
Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
Angel Stovenour, brentwood,TN
Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say on the Lord. Psalms 27:14
Kathy Darnell, Princeton TX.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sign O Lord, My rock and my Redeemer
Psalm 19:14 NIV
Kelly Peyton – Apopka,Fl.
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4:29, KJV
Lindsay, Cumberland Furnace, Tennessee
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily as for the Lord, rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord, you will receive the reward of inheritance. It is The Lord Christ whom you serve.” Colossians 3:23-24 (NASB)
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” – Col. 1:15-17