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.
Andria from Northern Virginia,
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.
NIV
Denise DuBois, Myersville, MD- But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 1 Peter 1:15 NIV
Ruth Strohminger, Westerville OH
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. (â€John‬ â€15‬:â€11‬ NIV)
Sheila Oakes,
Cary, NC
Job 38:1-3 NLT
Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:
Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?
Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you,
and you must answer them.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come. 2 Cor. 5:17
Jerrica, Marietta, GA. But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as pure gold”. Job 23:10 NIV
Pat Brandau, Mooresville, NC
Isaiah 55:1-3
Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you.
Sara, Garden City, KS
My people, you are my witnesses and my chosen servant. I want you to know me, to trust me, and understand that I alone am God. I have always been God; there can be no others. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€10‬ CEVUS06)
Statesville, NC Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and un searchable things you do not know.
Vicki, Wilmington NC
He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
Proverbs 16:20 NKJV
Isaiah 26:3. “You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.” AMP
Heather Watson, Edmond, OK. “It is for freedom that Christ has set you free. Stand firm, then, and do not yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
Nancy Yarbrough, McKinney, Texas. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
3 John 1:4. NIV
Heather A. Cullman, AL Rather, beauty is something internal that can’t be destroyed. Beauty expresses itself in a gentle and quiet attitude which God considers precious. (â€1 Peter‬ â€3‬:â€4‬ GW)
Kari Turner
Charlottesville, VA
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. (â€Psalm‬ â€139‬:â€13-14‬ ESV)
Lisa, Mauldin, SC
“When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. Sovereign Lord, they said, you made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them.”
Acts 4:24 NIV
Newport News, Virginia
Job 42:5 – NKJV
I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,
But now my eye sees You.
Stefani Scheppmann, Mukono, Uganda “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'” Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Jan, Salt Lake City, UT 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
Liza
Wright, WY
Ephesians 4:29 kjv
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
Rachel Lancaster, Harrison Ar
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Misty Keith, Pflugerville, Texas, Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow weary or tired, and His understanding no one can fathom. Isaiah 40:28
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.” Ephesians 2:18-19
Cathi Blate, North Canton, OH
For we live by FAITH, not by sight.
2 Cor 5:7 NIV
Midge Miller, Snellville, GA
But He knows the way that I take [He has concern for it, appreciates, and pays attention to it]. When he has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous]. Job 23:10 Amplified
Mia, Rogersville, AL
Psalms 32:7 (NIV)
You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deut 6:8-9 NESV
Judy Rowland Louisville, KY
Colossians 2:2-3 “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” NIV 1984
Tricia Dubbe, missionary wife in Germany
“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 (KJV)
Thanks for the suggestion, Beth! Just what I needed!
Lynn Fields, Erlanger, KY. The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him. Psalm 28:7 NIV
Debbie Turner Chavers, Murfreesboro,TN.
And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. Matthew 17:8
KJV
Tammie Brown
Phoenix, AZ
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
Create in me a pure heart o’ Lord and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Anja Drenth, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands (Europe)
Het geloof legt de grondslag voor alles waarop we hopen, het overtuigt ons van de waarheid van wat we niet zien.
Hebreeen 11:1 NBV
Judy, Oswego, NY
Ephesians 1:11 NLT
‘Furthermore, because we (I) are (am) united with Christ, we (I) have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us (me) in advance, and he makes EVERYTHING work out according to his plan.
Lisa Walden, Grand Prairie, Tx
Ephesians 2-8:9 NIV
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9 not by works, so no one can boast.
Jeannine Hale
Eagan, MN
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever. Psalm 30:11-12 (NIV)
Lynn, Lake Villa, IL
Ephesians 2:3 NLT
All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
Cindy, Wilton, England
“Do not confirm 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.”
Romans 12:2 NIV
Connie, Suffolk,Va
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! (â€Psalm‬ â€141‬:â€3‬ ESV)
Barbara C., Clinton, MS, So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Gal. 6:9 NLT
Kristie Terpstra, Montgomery, TX: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV
Stacy Bierce, Bargersville indiana. In the morning, LORD, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3 NIV.
Kim Joyner; Poplar Bluff, MO. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NASB)
“Blessed be The Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; He is my steadfast love and my fortress,my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and He in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.” Psalm 144:1-2 (ESV)
Pendleton Indiana.
But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23a NLT
Peggy Grossnickle Warsaw, IN – Nothing is Impossible with God. Luke 1:37 – (CEV)
Paige Storlie, Amarillo, TX
“LORD, You have assigned me my portion and my cup;
You have made my lot secure.”
Psalm 16:5 (NIV)
Look to the Lord and his strength, seek his face always. Psalm 105:4 NIV