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.
Heather
Little Rock, AR
Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ (â€Philippians‬ â€3‬:â€8‬ NLT)
Fools give full vent to their Rahe, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11(NIV)
Stacey M
Clatyon, NC
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector 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 12:2
Kim Leith
Walnut Grove, MO
“This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.” Joshua 1:8 Amplified
Angela McCracken, San Diego, CA. “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:1-5 ESV
Leshia Terhune, Perryton, Texas
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
Emily Menard {New Orleans, LA} “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others.” Phil. 2:3-4 ESV
Sue Bogseth, Mundelein IL
Esther 5:14b ” And who knows, but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? NIV
Blanche Ozawkie Kansas
“I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being.”
Ephesians 3:16
Liza Kirschner,Monmouth Junction,NJ. “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19 (NIV)
Meg Stickl, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. John 10:14 (NIV) I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.
Jeri Jacobs, Hemet, CA: Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 NIV
Robin Bennett, New Albany, MS
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Mateo 22:37-40Nueva Biblia al DĂa (NBD)
37 —“Ama al Señor tu Dios con todo tu corazón, con todo tu ser y con toda tu mente”[a] —le respondió Jesús—. 38 Éste es el primero y el más importante de los mandamientos. 39 El segundo se parece a éste: “Ama a tu prójimo como a ti mismo.”[b] 40 De estos dos mandamientos dependen toda la ley y los profetas.
ShaNada Williams
Birmingham, AL
“The Lord appeared to him[a] from far away.
I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”
Jeremiah 31:3 (ESV)
In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear to me, Deliver me speedily; Be my rock of refuge, A fortress of defense to save me. For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name’s sake, Lead me and guide me. (Psalms 31:1-3 NKJV)
Jenny Fridge, Richmond, TX
When He went ashore He saw a great crowd and He had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things. Mark 6:34 ESV
Brooke Walburg, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Mark 1:35 New International Version
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Karen, Humble Texas Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1John 3:18 NIV
Chaundel Holladay, Lake Forest, CA In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. Exodus 15:13 (NIV)
Misty Brandon, San Antonio TX, Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. Ephesians 3:17 NLT
Colossians 1:11 NLT We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy always thanking the Father.
Kristi B.
Houston, TX
Isaiah 55:8 NLT
“‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the LORD.
‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.'”
Pam Williams, Olive Branch, MS
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
Sheryl Hanson, Neenah, WI
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20 NLT
Nadine , High Point, NC
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.” Romans 5:3 NLT
Katie Allen, Fuquay-Varina, NC
“Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.” 1John 4:11 (NRSB)
Julie Brock, New Albany, MS “For The LORD GOD helps me; therefore have i not been ashamed or confounded. Therefore have i set my face like a flint, and i know that i shall not be put to shame.” Isaiah 50:7 (AMP)
Angela, Mansfield TX
“And I will give them a singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart.”
Ezekiel 11:19 (NLT)
Nicole Gelvin- Blue Ridge, Texas
“I am the vine. You are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 NASB
Jeanne Gammon, Seattle, WA – 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, (â€Ephesians‬ â€1‬:â€3‬ NASB)
Jennifer Morgan, Van Alstyne,TX
“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day:
Give thanks to the Lord,
Call upon his name,
Make known his deeds among the peoples,
Proclaim that his name is exalted.”
Isaiah 12:3-4 (ESV)
Sue Pointer, Duncanville, TX Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Psalm 103:1 (NIV)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
Lauren Hance, New Orleans soon to be Houston.
Indeed I count everything loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
Philippians 3:8, ESV
Meredith, Fayetteville, AR
Isaiah 43:19 HCSB
Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness; rivers in the desert.
Rebekah Owens, Ralph, AL. All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
Hali Farris
Alexandria, Louisiana
“God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield to all who look to Him for protection. Who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted as the deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.”
Psalm 30-33
OOPS!! It’s Psalm 18:30-33!!
Lauren Sanders, Birmingham/Fultondale Alabama
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” (â€Isaiah‬ â€12‬:â€2‬ NIV)
Kirsten Lofton, El Paso, TX
Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Romans 13:10 NIV
Tammy, Dothan,Al. “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:3,4
Traci Horton from Bartonville, Tx.: Therefore, I urge you, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1 NIV
Janie Forsythe, Avon, Indiana.
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. 1 Peter 1:6 NLT
Kathie Dini- Alburtis, Pa. I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV
Veronica
Memphis, TN
But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.
1 John 2:5 ESV
For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
Galatians 5:17 NIV
Christina Beaugh, Denham Springs, Louisiana
“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” (â€1 Peter‬ â€4‬:â€8‬ NLT)
Prov 12:16- “fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.”
Jonae Grinage, Irving,TX, But when he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:13 NIV
Philippians 4:11 NIV
I a not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.