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 McIntosh, Calgary, Alberta “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thes. 5:16 (NIV)
Doris, Madison, MS
BLessed be the Lord, who daily loaded us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.
Psalm 68:19 KJV
Lindsey Osburn, Hamshire, TX
When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”
Matthew 8:34
Habakkuk 3:19 “The Lord God is my strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!”
Feb 1, 2015 Littleton, CO
Ps 139:3- You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Dianna McFarland, Tracy, Ca
James 1:22
But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves.
Heather McKinstry, Greendale, WI
Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
they will be remembered forever.
They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. Psalm 112:6-8
Susie Moreno, Ault, CO “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” NIV Perfect verse for what I’m going through right now. Thanks!
Michelle Kimberly-Rhoades, Western Nebraska
Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Stephanie, Paris, Texas. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not human masters.” Colossians 3:23, NIV
“Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.”
Ginger Hawthorne, Houston, Texas
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30 KJV
Michelle, Franklin, TN The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV)
Karen, Clarksville, TN. “LORD, set up a guard for my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3 HCSB
Krista Fehr, Chickamauga, GA
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2:14 ESV
Paige, Holly Bluff, MS
Therefore you shall be perfect just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:48 NKJ)
Cynthia T, O’Fallon, MO ~ So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT
For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son that who so ever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Joey, Academy,Tx
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:7
Kelly, Starr,SC
I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. (â€Psalm‬ â€9‬:â€1‬ NIV)
Melia
Loganville, GA
The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Kim Lee, Faison, NC. But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
Lindsey Osburn, Hamshire, TX
EDIT – *Mark* 8:34
Sue Tulsa Oklahoma Matthew 6:33-34 NIV “but seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given you as well. And do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it’s own.
Merideth Colvert from Conroe, Texas…
But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. Jeremiah 17:7 NIV
Barbara Quackenbos, Chesapeake, VA. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ 2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV)
Annie, Turlock, CA. “But as for you, speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘You shall surely observe My sabbaths; for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am The Lord who sanctifies you.'” Ex. 31:13. NASB
Stephanie, Street, Maryland: The LORD is my light and my salvation-who should I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-of whom should I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 (HCSB)
Kathy
Pittsboro, NC
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB
Becca, Monterey CA
“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” ~ Romans 3:23-24 NIV
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10
Andrea Hicks, Fort Worth, TX
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Jackye Bowen, Pendergrass, GA “You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.” Psalm118:28 NIV
Susan, Fort Worth, TX
Isaiah 55:3 NIV
Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.
Pamela, Knoxville, TN
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will
Bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalms 63:3-4 ESV
Jasmine Baktiar, Lemoore, CA.
“And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Romans 5: 2-5 (NIV)
Lisa Oden, Little Rock, Arkansas
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.
Psalm 37:5-6
Jennifer Adams, Canton, MS. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 ESV
Martha of Pasadena, Texas
Dear Children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and He knows everything.
1 John 3:18-20 NLT
Deena from Amarillo, TX
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Luke 1:45 (NIV)
Jana, Quitaque, TX
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 entrust my life. Psalm 143:8 NIV
Ashlyn Bowen, Pendergrass, GA “No one is holy like the Lord,
For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2:2 NKJV
Christina F
Modesto CA
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Psalm 34:8 NKJV
Jennifer Finkner, Lubbock,TX – The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand. Psalm 37:23-24. NLT
Adina Berkner, Pittsburgh PA.
You observe my travels and my rest, You are aware of all my ways. Psalm 139:3
Tracey Knight ~ Arkadelphia AR
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (â€Romans‬ â€15‬:â€13‬ NIV)
Jen, Fort Worth, TX The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him. Psalm 28:7 ESV
Franlin, TN The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (â€Psalm‬ â€34‬:â€18‬ NIV)
Ansley Bowen, Pendergrass, GA “And my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.” Psalm 13:4 NASB
Betty Clark Ann Arbor, MI Mark 4:26-27 ESV “And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.”