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;
9 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.
10 But He knows the way that I take;
when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
11 My foot has held fast to his steps;
I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
12 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.
Kristen, Binger, OK
Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7. NLT
Melissa, Cabot, PA
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9. NIV
Teresa Marsh, New Bern, NC
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
For it is by grace you have been saved, though faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.
DeAnna Greenville SC
Proverbs 3:5-6
5Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Linda Steriti
Littleton NH
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor
as yourself,” You are doing well.
But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as
transgressors.
James 2: 8-9 NASB
Angi, Pelham, AL
The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. Lamentations 3:24 KJV
Lisa – Schererville, Indiana
‘But He knows the way that I have taken, when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.’ Job 23:10 NIV
Letha Miller, Cullman, AL. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:2 ESV
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 lift up my soul.
Psalm 143:8. NIV
Tiffany Avritt Holcomb, KS
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. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Jeanmarie Eberhart, Archbald, PA
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV
Brooklyn Siloam Springs,AR
Do not worry about anything instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6
Kandi Sullivan, Tallahassee, Florida
But He knows the way I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
Harmony Goddard, Moncton, NB Canada “For since the world began no ear has heard, no eye has seen a God like you who works for those who wait for him! Isaiah 64:4
Shawna ~ Boise, Idaho
1 Peter 4:8
Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins. HCSB
Anne Sporrer, Washington, IL
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5 (NIV)
Matthew 6:21 NIV “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
And now my head will be lifted up
above my enemies around me,
and I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
Psalm 27:6
Isaiah 40:28 NIV
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 tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
Reply
Mary Thomas
Lexington, KY
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.” -1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NLT)
Pagat Mangilao, GUAM. “For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the LORD, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
You are My witnesses, says the LORD, and My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me. And understand that I am He. Before me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after me.
I even I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior.
Isa. 43:10-11. NKJV. Brenda Rowland, Mint Hill, NC.
connie thornton
elberton,ga
casting all your care upon him,for he careth for you.
1peter 5 vs 7.KJV
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord you God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
Kay Gartside,Stephenville,Texas
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to remembrance all that I said to you. John 14:26 (Life Application)
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
Pattie Jager, Holland MI
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Eph 4:2 NLT
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept
the word planted in you, which can save you.
James 1:21 NIV
Shawna from Chandler Oklahoma. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Kelly, crawfordsville, IN
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV)
JulieP Tierra Verde FL
But he knows the pathway that I take;
if he tested me, I would come forth like gold
Job 23:10 NET
Katie Burke , Tampa, Fl
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
Karen- Trussville, AL
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV)
Carol McAlisterville, PA
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
Bree Wakefield, Painted Post, NY. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. Job 23:10
“The Lord will fight for you and you will only have to be silent.” Exodus 14:14
1Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1 HCSB)
Cathy, Rhinebeck,NY. 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
Danielle, Kernersville, NC: Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 HCSB
Raye, Benton, Arkansas
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:9-10
Britt Felix, Tucson, AZ
Finally, Brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 NASB
Danielle. Shreveport, LA And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works Hebrews 10:24 (ESV)
Kathy Land, Shattuck, OK
“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.” Psalm 145:3 (NIV)
Judy Coles Orangeville,ON
For The Lord is the Spirit and wherever the Spirit of The Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And The Lord who is Spirit makes us more and more like him as we are changed into His glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, NLT
Kristen Ward from Erie, PA. Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Isaiah 60:1. (NLT)
Lisa Voetberg, Chehalis WA that Christ may dwell in your hearts though faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, Eph.3:17 NKJV
Taylor, FL
Eph 3:20-21 (NKJV) Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Samantha Gallant, Marion, IN
“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him,” Nahum 1:7 (NIV)
Carol, Sewickley, PA
but those who hope in the Lord witll renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
Michone, Butte, Mt.
He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Isaiah 53:3 (NKJV)