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.
M.H. Esposito, San Mateo, CA
Only fear the LORD and serve Him in truth will all your heart;
for consider what great things He has done for you.
1 Samuel 12:24
NASB
Marybeth Pettitt Connell, WA
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord,not for men
Colossians 3:23 NIV
Maaike Veerbeek, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, Want Mijn gedachten zijn niet uw gedachten, en uw wegen zijn niet Mijn wegen, spreekt de HEERE. Want zoals de hemel hoger is dan de aarde, zo zijn Mijn wegen hoger dan uw wegen en Mijn gedachten dan uw gedachten. Jes.55:8,9, HSV
Sheryl Ponsness, PDX OR “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Revelation 4:11.
Shari Schock Steilacoom, WA. For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the LORD, who has mercy on you. (â€Isaiah‬ â€54‬:â€10‬ NLT)
Lynnette, Sherman, TX. Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And God’s peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NCV
This is a huge setback for me when reading, I have a very selective memory. What I can remember that I have read of the Bible, I do not remember where it is just summarizing of what was meant. I always look up words I do not understand.
Jennae, Clovis CA – Proverbs 31:10 NIV “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.”
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28 HCSB
Reba Warren, Wickenburg AZ: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NKJV
Judy Hildebrant, Salem, Oregon ” For You have rescued my soul from death, my eyes from crying, and my feet from stumbling. 9) I shall walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 116:8,9 NASB
These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords, and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful. Revelation 17:4 NASB
God says, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be praised in all the nations. I will be praised throughout the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NCV
Isaiah 50:2-NIV-Was my arm too short to deliver you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you?
Natalie Christopher, Kirkland, WA
The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Romans 12:13 NIV84
Isaiah 55:2-NIV- Listen, listen to me and eat what is good and you will delight in the richest of fare.
Cherie-Pocarello, ID “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31b, NIV)
Mieneke, Nijkerk, the Netherlands.
Ik laat jullie vrede na; mijn vrede geef ik jullie, zoals de wereld die niet geven kan. Maak je niet ongerust en verlies de moed niet.
Johannes 14:27 NBV
Belinda from Carlsbad, CA:
“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
Emily, Olympia, WA
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” Psalm 126:5 NIV
Roanoke, TX
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourself, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.”
Philippians 2:3-4
Robyn Lowe-Lusaka, Zambia. May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal convenient brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep…. (Hebrews 13:20 NIV) Verse 21 will be my 2nd verse….
Kristi Bracelin, West Des Moines, Iowa
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah‬ â€26‬:â€3-4‬ NIV
Elizabeth Godinez, Oahu HI, While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2nd Corinthians 4:18
Deneen Horne, Jacsonville,Florida-
“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me,
I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 NIV
Katrina Norfleet, Silver Spring, MD. She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me. Genesis 16:13 (NIV)
But He knows the way that I take, when He has tested me I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10, NIV.
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10, NIV
Tina Johnson, Elizabethtown, KY
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 NIV
Leah Adams
Blairsville, Georgia
1 Thessalonians 1:3 (NKJV) ‘remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father’
Amberley ~ Pasco, WA
“Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this:
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.”
~~ Lamentations 3:20-21 NLT
Pamela Shaw, Bangor, Northern Ireland
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. Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Deb, Avon, OH.
“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, can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ~ Romans 8:38-39 NIV
Renee P, Jamul, CA
Revelation 3:7-8 God says, “When you approach a door that is very large, do not fear, because I will open it.” When God opens the door, no man can shut it.
Ria Agterhof-Hinloopen
Nederland
Al zouden de bergen wijken
en de heuvels wankelen
Mijn liefde zal nooit meer van jou wijken
en Mijn vredesverbond is onwankelbaar
-zegt de Heer, die Zich over je ontfermt.
Jesaja 54:10 NBV
Patrice McKinney, Midland, TX
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
Christa from AZ
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NLT)
Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made Him their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep in to the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.
Margaret Lester, Kingsport, TN – Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thess 6:16-18 NLT
Kathy Chattanooga TN
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
Grietje, Den Dolder, Nederland.
Sta op en schitter, je licht is gekomen, over jou schijnt de luister van de Heer.
Jesaja 60:1, NBV
Sherry Chong, Orlando, FL
I will praise the Lord, who counsels me, even at night my heart instructs me. Ps 16:7 (NIV)
Mary, Lilburn GA. But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold Job 23:10 NIV
Brenda from Waldorf, MD
Psalm 23:3 (AMP)
He refreshes and restores my life myself; He leads me in the paths of righteousness uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but for His name’s sake.
Sandie Cornelius, Oneida, TN
” I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise will continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1
Ashley Siler, Charlotte NC
“A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”
(Prov 17:22 NIV)
Laura from Rancho Cucamonga,ca
These three things will last forever, faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love
1st Corinthians 13:13.
Lara Lee Bugeja
Royall Palm Beach, FL
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing neat.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
Westminster,MD
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be out away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as Gid in Christ has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children. Eph 4:32-5:1
Sorry reposting forgot my city
Amanda, Rockhampton, Queensland
Know that I’m on your side, I’m right alongside you. You’re not in this alone. I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God’s great mystery. Colossians 2:1b-3 The Message
Heather, Tallahassee But He knows the way I take; when He had tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NASB