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.
Kerry Devlin, Winona Lake 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
Pat S., Lago Vista, TX
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
Sara Terrill, St. Louis, MO. “(Remind the people)…to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” Titus 3:2, NIV
Karen, Texas. Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God, everything is possible.” NIV, Matthew 19:29
Stephanie D – Coventry CT
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. – Psalm 19:14 (NLT)
“I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve but your grief will turn to joy”
John 16:20 NIV84
Krista Ripley,WV
Eph. 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.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Casey Hale, Roanoke, Texas
“But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And He rescued me from certain death.”
2 Timothy 4:17 – NLT
Mariane Huckleberry, Indianapolis, IN
I have treasured the words of His mouth
More than my necessary food. Job 23:12b NKJV
Valerie Baxter ~ Shawnee, OK
“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; 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.” Joshua 1:8 NIV
NIV John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory; the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Lamentations 3:21-23 The Message
There’s one thing I remember, and remembering I keep a grip on HOPE. God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, His merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great is Your faithfulness!
Karla Smith, Columbus, Ohio. For he made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV
Valerie, Columbus, GA
And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. Luke 1:45 ESV
Heather Hart, Seymour, TX
“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” ~ Psalm 18:32 (NIV)
Amy Howard, Petal, MS
“And whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: ‘This is the way. Walk in it.'”
Isiah 30:21 (HCSB)
Janice
Arcanum, Ohio
I will rejoice and be glad in Your lovingkindness, because You have seen my affliction; You have known the troubles of my soul, and You have not given me over into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a large place.
Psalm 31:7-8 NASB
Ephesians 1:3-4 ESV
Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.
Michelle Perry, Creedmoor, NC For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, (â€2 Corinthians‬ â€10‬:â€4-5‬ ESV)
Hebrews 4:12
The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Rhonda Anderson Harlan, IA Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 2:2 ESV
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Oops! Chesterfield, MO (St. Louis)
Esther,Lancaster,PA. 2 Corinthians 4:3 NLT, “If the gospel we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing.”
Marlene, Xenia Ohio
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
Isaiah 30:21 NV
Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way, walk in it.”
Maryanne Svoboda, 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”
New Haven MO
NIV
Hebrews 13:5-8
Keep you lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have because God has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you,”
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
Remember you leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Sherry Hayes ~ Raleigh, North Carolina
Jesus, replied,35. “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. 36. Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light”
John 12: 35-36 NLT
JulieB
Sharpsburg, Ga.
1 Timothy 6:12 ESV
“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
Katie – Webbers Falls, OK
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Cheney, WA Rom. 12:2 Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Katie, Johnstown, CO
For nothing will be impossible with God. Luke 1:37 (ESV)
Roxanne Hummelstown, Pa
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. KJV Mat 6:13
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. NIV
1 Corinthians 1:18
1 John 4:19 NIV
We love because he first loved us.
Tanya, Raleigh, NC
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, oh Lord, my rock and my Redeemer” Psalms 19:14 (NASB)
Kay Carroll, Combine, TX
“But He knows the ways that I take; when He test me, I will come forth as gold.”
Job 23:10
Jessica, Spring, Texas
Psalm 42:5 ESV
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.
Christy George, High Island, Tx
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as GOLD. Job 23:10
Mary Beth, Wake Forest, NC –
“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:5-6
Eau Claire, WI
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40 NIV
Laura, Saucier MS.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9 NIV
Rebecca, Birmingham, AL
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose words I praise, in God I trust, I will not be afraid
Psalm 56: 3-4. NIV
Donna Warren, High Island. TX
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as Gold. Job 23:10
Rachael, Union, Maine – Psalm 112:7 English Standard Version (ESV)
(S)he is not afraid of bad news;
his(Her) heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
KAREN RAGAN, NOLENSVILLE, TN
We can make our own plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9 NLT
Lake Butler, Florida….Luke 6:37 ESV
Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven.
Orlando – My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT
Tery Sarver, North Chesterfield, VA
“GOD IS LIGHT, IN HIM THERE IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL.” 1 JOHN 1:5 NIV