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.
Deborah, Nashville TN,
Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his presence continually.
1 Chronicles 16:11 (ESV)
Shawna Solmen, Fremont, Nebraska “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trust in Him and I and help. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song” Psalm 28:7 NIV
Patience, Washington. Eph 1:19 “and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength”
San Clemente, CA
2 Corinthians 12:9(NIV)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Whitney Zahnd, Springfield, IL
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” -Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
Jill Smith Eugene, Oregon
Psalm 91:1-2
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my Refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” Ps 91:1-2 NIV
Matthew 18:21,22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked,”Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to 7 times?
Jesus answered, “I tell you, no 7 times, but 77 times.” NIV
Diana Wallace in Norman, Oklahoma
In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge.
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of Life,
to turn one away from the snares of death.
Proverbs 14:26-27
Jan Jensen, Waterloo, Iowa. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 NIV
Sharon A, Fresno, CA
Let your conversation always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:6
Corrie Crouch, Silsbee, Texas
1 Timothy 1:16 (ESV):
“But for that very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His immense patience as an example for those who would believe in Him and receive eternal life.”
Naya, Sacramento, Isaiah 43:2 NKJV
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.
Sandy Richardson, Maui, HI
Be anxious for nothing, but through supplication, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4:6-7
Andrea, Tulsa, OK. The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. Proverbs 22:7, NKJV
I command you – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9. New Living Translation
Erica Levy, Ontario, California. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
Mandy Alquist, Palm Springs, CA
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:5
2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Nicole; Kannapolis, NC
Psalm 145:18 NKJV
The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,To all who call upon Him in truth.
Odem, Tx
“But it was to us that God made known His secret by means of His spirit. The Spirit searches everything, even the hidden depths of God’s purposes.
1 Cor. 2:10
Alexia- Champaign, IL
When you pass through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee
Isaiah 43:2
Allison Crook – Albuquerque, NM
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”
Gal. 6:9 NIV
Duvall, WA Those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life. John 4:14 NRSV
Judy Madison, Beaumont, California
Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
Colossians 4:6 NASB
Melissa, Walla Walla Wa “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
Surely the arm of the Lord is not to short to save, nor his ear too dull to
hear. Isaiah 59:1 NIV
Charlene Morgan–Lincoln City, Oregon
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed–a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith” Romans 1:16-17 NIV
Terrie
Westminster , Maryland
John15:12 This is My commandment , that you love one another as I have loved you.
NKJV
Stacy Martin Clovis,New Mexico
1 Corinthians 2:9
For no eye has see, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived the wonderful things that God has prepared for those that love him.
Romans 12:2
and do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God
Angie-Whittier CA
Romans 8:38 NLT
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow–not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
Philippians 3:13b-14 (NIV)
13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Kathi, Vancouver, Wa, Keep this book of the law always on your lips. Meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (NIV)
Emily, Puyallup, WA
Habakkuk 3:17-18 NIV
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD. I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
Michelle S. Murphysboro, IL Psalms 73:25-26 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. KJV
Rebecca. Eagle point, OR “For momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison. ” 2 Corinthians 4:17
Amanda Barron, Dothan AL
Give and it shall be given to you;a good measure–pressed down shaken together and running over–will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use; it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38 HCSB
Rebecca. Eagle point, OR “For momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison. ” 2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV
Lynne Goldade, Seattle, WA “To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 NASB (Yes, two verses instead of one, but I had to get the full sentence, and I’m up for the challenge!)
10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. EPH 2:10 NIV
Amy Hayes, Rockwall, 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
Frances, Borger, Tx.
Psalm. 37:25. I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. ESV
Beth Kilgore, Moorpark, CA
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24
1 Peter 4:8 (NASB)
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
Katie Cole, Karuizawa, Japan
Esther van Dijk, Lelystad, Netherlands. De vrucht van de Geest is liefde, vreugde, vrede, geduld, vriendelijkheid en goedheid, geloof, zachtmoedigheid en zelfbeheersing. Er is geen wet die tegen die dingen iets heeft. Gal. 5:22+23.
O Lord, you have ben our refuge, from generation to generation. Before the mountains were born, or the earth or the world were brought forth, you are God, from age to age.Psalm 90:1-2 NAB
Dorothy Yang, San Diego, CA. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT
Emily, Richland, Washington –
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. (â€Romans‬ â€8‬:â€38-39‬ NIV)
Sarah, Bracknell, UK
Anyone who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,
and anyone who takes care of a master will be honoured.
Proverbs 27:18 RSV
Cheri from Frisco, TX
Ephesians 2:4 ESV
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us…