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.
Jessica Davis
Springville, AL
But those who trust in the Lord will become strong again. They will be like eagles that grow new feathers. They will run and not get weak. They will walk and not get tired. (Isaiah 40:31 ERV)
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for mans anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. – James 1:19-20
Judy, Simi Valley,CA
He awakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. Isaiah 50:4b NIV
Imperial Beach , CA
February 1st @ 7:37am
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the WHOLE EARTH to SHOW HIMSELF strong on behalf of those whose heart is LOYAL to Him.
1 Chronicles 16:9
Bobbie Lutz, College Station, TX
Eph 4:29 (NIV)
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
MarlaMae, Kimmell, IN
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” ~1Peter 5:7 (NLT)
Kyleigh Porter, Raleigh, NC
He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Luke 10:27 (NIV)
Amanda Gozur, Albuquerque, NM
“For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14 (NIV)
Colleen, Cape Town, South Africa
Please God, make me worthy of your calling and fulfill my every resolve for good and my every work of faith by Your power.
2 Thessalonians 1:11, ESV (personalised)
Sally Morton, Canon City, CO
Since we have these promises dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (NIV)
Mary Scott, Hockley TX.
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold
of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you. Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)
I’m Lori Smith and I am from Medford Oregon
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:26 NIV)
Job 23 :10 ESV
“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.”
Amen! We will come forth as gold my friend. I’m so thankful for this truth and the privilege to walk through this life with you as my friend.
Carly Andrews, Colleyville, TX:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Kristin Johnson, Owasso, Oklahoma: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:10-11 NIV
Tracy Brinkley – Grand Prairie, TX
But God showed His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 ESV
Love this reminder, when i am low or when i need to reach out to others with questions. Rock on sister!
Gina Rosamond, Ca
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
Isaiah 55:8 NASB
Kristie Larsen, Mesa, AZ “These have come so that your faith of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:7 NIV
Pam Nelson, Brighton, CO
Matthew 6:10 HCSB
Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; (Acts 2:25 ESV)
Stephanie O, Alexandria, VA — for we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)
Tammy S, West Point, NE
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
Job 23:10 (ESV)
Lori, Pueblo West CO. “The LORD is fighting for you! So be still!” ~ Exodus 14:14 GW
Brenda Vandersee, IOWA ~ Keep steady my steps according to Your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Psalm 119:133 ESV
Jody in Huntsville NIV Ephesians 3:20-21
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Sue Noel, Houston, TX: For no heavenly messengers have ever heard God address them with these words of the psalms: “You are My Son. Today I have become Your Father.” Or heard Him promise, “I will be to You a Father, and You will be My Son.” Now, when the Son, the firstborn of God, was brought into the world, God said, “Let all My heavenly messengers worship Him.” Hebrews 1:5-6 THE VOICE
Karen Green, Valrico, FL
“Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
I Corinthians 15:58. HCSB
Michelle Wynne, Spokane, WA –“I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.” Isaiah 45:2. NIV
Jodi, virginia beach
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4
Vickie, Poplar Bluff, MO: For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 NIV
Pam in El Cajon, Calif. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God and that is what we are!” I John 3:1 NIV
Jenny O Tucson,AZ. Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
“Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage.”
Psa.84:15
NKJV
Melissa, Tyler, TX. “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 NIV
Tamara Wetsit, Las Vegas, NV, NKJV
Psalm 71:3 Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, For You are my rock and my fortress.
Jacqui Maudslay, Chester, UK
…but those who hope in the Lord will 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
Holly H, Frisco, TX
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he knows my name. When he calls to me, ll answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16 (ESV)
From Abilene, TX
Romans 8:38-39 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.
Misty Weare, Alliance, NE
When he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
~2 Thessalonians 1:9-12, ESV
Jennifer, Deepstep, GA. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6 KJV
Julie, Carson City, NV, In Your presence there is fullness of joy! Psalm 16:11 (MSG)
Brooke McGillivray, Monroe, Oregon – But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever. – Psalm 52:8 NLT
Elaina Morrison, San Diego, CA
“You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.” (Job 10:12 NIV)
Jessica Hawney, San Jose CA. “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
Lynn of Lucas Kansas.
Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; (Judges 2:18a NIV)
Sheri Taylor Hurricane, Wv
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12 NIV)
Kimberly Kleimann, Chico CA
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33 kjv
Marty, Clarksville TN.
“And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?”
Matthew 6:27. NASB
Natalie, Butte, MT
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thes 5:16-18 NIV
Sarah j, Pasadena, TX
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 NIV