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.
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (â€Psalm‬ â€119‬:â€11‬ NIV)
Valerie, Boise ID
The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Exodus 34:6-7 NIV
Michelle Bruce, Clarksville,TN
“Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy”
Matt 5:7 (New American Standard)
Kati B. Central Arkansas–
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.”
Psalm 51:10-12 (NIV)
Sarah Snow, Wichita Falls, TX
Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. Proverbs 27:6 NIV
Becky Waukesha WI
The Lord gives strength to His people, the Lord blesses His people with peace. Psalm 29:11. NIV
Summer, Fort Worth, TX
In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly father. Matthew 5:16 (NLT)
Sarina, Houston,tx
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (NIV)
Lisa Godwin. Alpharetta, GA
The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power, and love, and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7 ERV
Meredith Peterson, Douglasville, GA. ” Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV
Kim H., McKinney, TX
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
Job 23:10 ESV
Kimberly Stuckey, Stoutsville,OH And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshiped, and praised the Lord, saying, For He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever.. 2 Corinthians 7:3 KJV
“But to all who have received him – those who believe in his name – he has given the right to become God’s children” John 1:12 (NEV)
(Love) “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
I Corinthians 13:7 NIV
Donna Mina, Norman, OK
For You have rescued me from death;
You have kept my feet from slipping.
So now I can walk in Your presence,
O God, in Your life-giving light.
~Psalm 56:13(NLT)~
Tracy Klensch, Edgewood, Kentucky
From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another. ~John 1:16 (NIV)
Megan, St. Louis, MO
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will act.”
Psalm 37:5 (ESV)
June Greenstreet, Bradford, Ontario
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”(â€Galatians‬ â€5‬:â€13‬ ESV)
Renia Robinette, Sherwood, Arkansas. “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” Isaiah 1:17
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 TNIV
Purvis, MS
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
Colleen Graeff, Springfield, Missouri
Beth’s post tonight inspired this verse choice
Job 23:12 KJV
12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
Beth Coker. Medford, OR
Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Romans 12:16 NASB
Gail, Summerville, Oregon
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
Colossians 3:12 ESV
Pauline Richardson, Cornville Az “for He satisfies the longing soul and the hungry soul He fills with good things” Psalm 107:9 ESV
Mary, College Station, TX
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you,because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3 ESV
Shannon Scarborough, Shelby, MT, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 ESV
Melissa Scheiwe, Navarre, FL
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 NIV
Nicole///Dallas, TX/// Luke 16:9 “Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.” NLT
Stephanie S. From Richardson, TX
Psalm 119:37-38 NASB
Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, and revive me in Your ways.
Establish Your word to Your servant, as that which produces reverence for You.
Trudy Burnett, Middletown, OH Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for me to follow. Psalm 25:4
Glynna Penney, Cisco, Texas
But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
Psalm 86:15 NIV
Melissa Ballard, Liberty, West Virginia. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 (ESV)
Ebony Robinson, Jackson, MS. There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes‬ â€3‬:1 NIV
Danielle Musselman Plano, Texas
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (â€Proverbs‬ â€3‬:â€5-6‬ NIV)
Boise City, OK Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Sarah Stephenson, Auburn, Alabama. “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel: After those days, says the Lord, I will put My law within them, and on their hearts will I write it; and I will be their God, and they will be My people. And they will no more teach each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, Know the Lord, for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more.” Jeremiah 31:33-34 (AMP)
Romans 12:2NIV- do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good pleasing and perfect will.
Tara Duhon-Grand Lake, LA-Like an apple tree among the trees of the woods, So is my beloved among the sons. I sat down in his shade with great delight, And his fruit was sweet to my taste. (â€Song of Solomon‬ â€2‬:â€3‬ NKJV)
Jackie Houser, Goldsboro, NC: My focus is on memorizing Psalm 103: “Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits.” Psalm 103:1-2 NKJV.
Jeanete Gallegos, Albuquerque, New Mexico, “For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.” Proverbs 8:35 NIV
Lindsey
Houston, TX
The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. Psalm 145:8 NIV
San Clemente, CA
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” 2 Corinthians 13:14 NIV
Lisa from Robertsdale, Alabama – “But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are deatroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.” Hebrews 10:39 NiV
Crawfordsville, IN
Hebrews 10:23 NIV Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Julie Fitch, Ann Arbor, MI
And He was saying, “The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows-how, he himself does not know.” Mark 4:26-27
Joslin C., Concord, NC
The steadfast love of The Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end;
Lamentations 3:22 (ESV)
Kari Thurman, Wentzville, MO.
Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by Me”
John 14:6 (AMP)
Courtney Bowden, Annandale, VA. “You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.” -Psalm 71:20 ESV
Saw this the very first week and it has been on my heart ever since then. I’m not sure the name of the beautiful woman who posted this verse then, but I am praying for you this week, sister!
Melissa Stevens, Kingwood, TX
2 Timothy 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (NIV)