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 onĀ 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)
8Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā āBehold, I go forward, but He is not there,
and backward, but I do not perceive Him;
9Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 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.
10Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā But He knows the way that I take;
when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
11Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā My foot has held fast to his steps;
I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
12Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 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).Ā (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.
Janet, Charleston, SC, “A river brings joy to the city of your God, the sacred home of the Most High. God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it.” Psalm 46:4-5 NLT
Sandra Slovacek, West Dundee, IL
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philipians 4:19 (NKJV)
Katie, O’Fallon, IL ‘Know this, my beloved brothers, Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.’ James 1:19 ESV
Daphne from Goodlettsville, TN. Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
Donāt worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience Godās peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10, NLT
Leslie K
Hickory NC
JAMES 1:2-4 NASB
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Sara, Columbia TN
“Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 HCSB
Cheryl Patterson, Orange, 1 Thessalonians 3:12
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
Liberty Twp, OH Job 23:12 NIV, “I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.”
Kathi Anglin Sykesville, Maryland
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Romans 12:1 NIV
Ana-Maria Klundt, Saint Joseph Missouri: John 14:23 ” Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them and we will come to them and make our he with them.’ “
Natalie Malec, Grand Prairie, Tx
āBut blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. āJeremiahā¬ ā17ā¬:ā7ā¬ NIV
Stephanie Marchbanks, Ennis, TX:
Then the righteous will answer him, saying, āLord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? (Matthew 25:37, ESV)
(Memorizing verses 35-40)
Carlie Land Jefferson City, MO:
“As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man.” -Proverbs 27:19
NIV
Stephanie Rafferty, La Habra, CA “The Lord led me to a place of safety; He rescued me because He delights in me.” Psalms 18:19 NLT
But he knows where I am going. And when he has tested me like gold in a fire, he will pronounce me innocent. Job 23:10
Sara in Omaha, NE
You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
John 15:3 NIV
Debra, Ocoee, FL “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of Thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2 NASB
Aimee Wodkowski, Bay City, MI – Acts 20:24 “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” KJV
Connie Windham
Trout, LA
Psalm 86:11 ESV
Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.
Lynn Watson, Hurst, Texas Psalm 18:29 NIV
With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.
Heidi Duffield ~ DeWitt, AR. “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:14,15. (ESV)
Sharon DeWitt, Many, LA
“Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Ps. 86:11 NIV
Tempa Babington, Palm Bay, Fl.,
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless & pure, children of God without fault in a crooked & depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.” Philippians 2:14,15 NIV
Sandy,Brookshire Texas, Colossians 3:1&2 NAS
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above not on the things that are on earth.
Judy Berey, Mandeville La “I lift up my eyes to the hills, Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, The maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1&2
The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 (NIV)
Connie Broich, Raleigh, NC
I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaver and earth
Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
2 Corinthians 10:5
We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
Ann W,Mandeville, LA
James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.
Jackie from Platte City, MO
2 Cor 2:14 (NIV)
But thanks be to God, who always leads us tiumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.
Monique from Auburn, AL.
Yet I am confident that I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.
Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
Psalm 27:13-14 NIV
Cheryl Luecke in Houston,TX
The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Colossians 2:14
Jennifer R from Georgia:
The Lord your God is with you, the mighty warrior who saves. He will delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zeph 3:17 (NIV)
Nancy Kourmoulis, Birmingham, AL
Look to the Lord and His strength, Seek His face always. Psalm 105:4 niv
Emily Ince, Danville, VA
“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1 NIV
Debbie, LaVergne TN, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Col.3:12 NIV
Susan Chung, Long Island, NY
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Tracy – Danville, IN Phillipians 4:6 ESV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
Forest City, IA
Psalm 33:21 ESV
For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.
Robyn Angst-Lebanon, MO
not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 NIV
Okie – Edisto Island, SC
1 Thessalonians 1:5 NKJ- FOR OUR GOSPEL DID NOT COME TO YOU IN WORD ONLY, BUT, ALSO IN POWER, AND IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND IN MUCH ASSURANCE, AS YOU KNOW WHAT KIND OF MEN WE WERE AMONG YOU FOR YOUR SAKE.
Laura Grassi – Denver, CO
Romans 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith”.
ESV
Tina – Salem, IN
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise.
Ephesians 5:15 ESV
Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the righteous weights its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
A reminder to pause and consider before I speak.
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
1Peter 4:8
ESV
Hannah Carroll, Waco, TX
“No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:5 NIV
Psalm 63:1 NIV O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Karen Todd, Beech Island, SC
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
(I am using this verse because when I read it, it spoke to me. Thanks Beth for sharing)