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.
Simone Billson, Centurion, South Africa
Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. [Deut. 4:29-30.] (â€Jeremiah‬ â€29‬:â€13‬ AMP)
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 17:45 (NIV)
Barbara Ford, Troy, MO, Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (NIV)
John 6:29
Patty, Fairfax, VA – “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2
Kersti Kelly, Jacksonville, FL
In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid; What can man do u to me?
ASV
Erin in Euless, TX
Psalm 73:28 (NLT)
“But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.ESV
For God did not send his son to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:17
NIV
Kat
Edmonton, Canada
Megan, St. Peter’s, MO A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. Proverbs 15:1 NLT
Suzie, Pennock, MN Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NIV
emily ware | atl, ga | “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 {niv}
Catherine Rollins, Forney, TX- But shun profane and idle babbling a, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 2 Timothy 2:16 (NKJV)
Rita, Splendora, Texas
Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver, I have chosen thee
in the furnace of affliction.
Isaiah 48:10 KJV
Eugene, OR
Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of the lips that acknowledge His name.
Hebrews 13:15 ESV
Gwen of Doylestown, PA
Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. (â€Psalms‬ â€143‬:â€8‬ NLT)
Tiffany Mount Joy, PA
You will keep in perfect peace those who minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Tressa, Mobile, AL
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24, ESV
Jacque Mariott, Kaiserslautern, Germany
NASB Eph 4:29
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.
Susan Carter, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
Karen Comeaux, La Vernia, Texas “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV
Sunny, Las Vegas, NV. When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent /// The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 10:19, 1:7 ESV
Alison Sparre, Sacramento, CA
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, 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
NASB 1995 (I forgot)
Heather, Goodhue, MN
I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread. Job 23:12 (NIV)
Catherine G. Frisco, TX “But above all pursue His kingdom and righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 NET
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! (â€Malachi‬ â€3‬:â€10‬ NLT)
Jenny Hogeland. Cullman,AL. That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,being fruitful in every good work,and increasing in the knowledge of God; Colossians 1:10
Billie, Cincinnati, OH. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him. John 3:16,17 NIV
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
Susan Sarver, St. George, UT
And we have this command Him:The one who loves God must also love his brother. 1 John 4:21 HCSB
Lauren, Bowling Green KY.
1 Chronicles 16:11. ESV.
“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.”
June – Chatham,ON CAN And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 NIV
Martie Carter, Belton, TX.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a NIV
Shelly, Eufaula, AL.
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases. Psalm 103:3 KJV
Catherine Lichtenberger, Selma, Texas. For I am jealous. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Sorry must be half asleep here is the correct version. For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy . For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:2
Dorothy Williams
Montgomery, AL
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
Matthew 7:7 (NIV)
heather crawford, minneapolis, mn. “let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” hebrews 10:23 (niv)
Esther Evans,Skaneateles,N.Y. “Lord You are my lamp; the Lord illuminates my darkness.” 2 Samuel 22:29 (HCSB)
Erin,Lubbock,TX
Isaiah 43:1-2 HCSB
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;I have called you by your name and you are Mine. I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and when you pass through the rivers they will not overwhelm you.
Carolyn O., Cypress TX
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
emi, white house, tn: “Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Psalm 119:18 ESV
Sue Beaverton, OR
NASB Philippians 1:27. “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”
Barb, Argyle, WI
For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.
Psalm 91:3 ESV
Mary-Hamilton Bennett
Oxford, MS
Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 HCSB
Erin, Kennewick, WA
But He knows the way that I take;
when He tests me, I shall come out as gold.
~ Job 10:23 (ESV)
Jan Witt, Rockwall, TX
Galatians 5:16 ESV
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Annette Sweigart, Burke, VA. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NASB
Sallie Russ, Greenwood, SC
But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it. Deuteronomy 30:14 NASB
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 1 John 4:16 (ESV)
Bloomington,Indiana
Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37 (NIV)
Janice Bells, Orillia, Ontario, Canada
1 John 3:17,18 NIV
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.