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.
Barbara W, Baltimore, MD. Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Isaiah 58:6-7 (NIV)
Susan, Knoxville, TN
Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually! Psalm 105:4 ESV
Allie Pilcher
Panama City FL
“Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath.”
Psalm 116:2 NLT
Sharon, Tucson AZ
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
Susan Gittemeier, Overland Park, KS
“the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” Ps. 147:11 NIV
Nicole Corey, Missoula
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: (â€1 Peter‬ â€4‬:â€10‬ ESV)
Caitlin, Windsor, Ontario, Canada: “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13, NIV
Dianna, Caracas, Venezuela “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” Job 23:10
Kathleen Elliott, Jacksonville, FL – Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NIV
Beth R
Liberty Lake, WA
Philippians 4:6 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Michelle Crawford, Kansas, OK
The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness – for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
Romans 4:23-24 NIV
Elly Robinson, Roy Utah
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalms 19:14 NLT
Teri Thompson Bedias, TX
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future,
nor any powers,
neither height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us
from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39 NIV
Heather B., West Hartford, CT
6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
James 1:6-8, NIV
Tracy, Tangent, OR James 1:4 (ESV) 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Amanda Buck, Chesapeake, VA,
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
Angel Garrett, Smithville, MO. “Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us — to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” . (â€Ephesians‬ â€3‬:â€20-21‬ HCSB)
Miranda
Loganville, GA
He will keep you strong to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:8 NIV
Melinda Abston Ruskin, FL
Psalms 42:5 NIV “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God,for I will yet praise him,my Savior and my God.”
Taryn Schairer, Blacksburg, Virginia. ” In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” Romans 8:26, NIV
Gina, Pueblo, CO
Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are my God and Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. NIV Psalms 25:6
I’m sorry, Psalms 25:5 NIV
Angie Brown, Taylors, SC Yet He often withdrew to deserted places and prayed. Luke 5:16
Jessica Wagel- Fort Wayne, IN
James 1:9-12 NKJV
“Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits. Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. “
Leslie Standerfer, Shamrock, TX
For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18, ESV
Becky Burns, Beaverton OR
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace!
Romans 8:5-6 NIV
“Now whom you forgive anything, i also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, i have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ”. Corinthians 2:10
Lori Fisk Springdale, AR
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
Ephesians 4:2 NLT
Courtney Moore, Clarksville, TN
Ephesians 4:29, NASB
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
Beth Ingram, West Des Moines, IA
I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalm 121:1-4 NIV
Dena K. from Columbus, OH:
I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. (â€Psalms‬ â€34‬:â€4-5‬ NKJV)
Dawn Pierce Warren MI Php.4.4-9.NIV Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6, NIV).
Kaitlin Christensen Newberg, OR
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26 NIV
Robin Elliott, Mobile, AL. Casting down imaginations, every thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV)
Julie Dunham, Johnston, IA
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord wiould fulfill his promises to her. Luke 1:45 NIV
Jackie White, Modesto, CA, 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
Sonya Ryder, Baton Rouge, LA — “Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” — Philippians 2:8-11 (NASB)
Dena. El Paso TX.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 ESV
Kathy Ziegler, Rifle, CO For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5 ESV
Joyce Lobmaster, St. Louis MO. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalms 143:8 NIV
Jenna, Fort Worth, TX
“I will remain confident in this: I will see the goodness of The Lord in the land of the living. ”
Psalm 27:13 NIV
Patricia, Roxboro, N.C. The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid Psalm 27:1 ESV
Gwen Sledge, Bowling Green, Ky
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Elaine Ladich El Paso, TX
“And let the beauty of the Lord be upon us.
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands.”
Psalm 90:17 NKJV
“But anyone who needs wisdom should ask God, whose very nature is to give to everyone without a thought, without keeping score. Wisdom will certainly be given to those who ask. ” James 1:5 CEB
Amy Campbell, Greensboro, NC
“Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord.” Jonah 2:8-9 NIV
Kat Roemmich, Fargo, ND Isaiah 44:20 ESV
He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?” (â€Isaiah‬ â€44‬:â€20‬ ESV)
Oops….forgot my translation…. Luke 5:16 (CSB)
Kelly A, Rogers AR. “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20 NIV
Hannah Rodriguez, Dallas, Texas. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 KJV