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.
Wendy Karabensh
Vero Beach, Florida
“There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.”
Proverbs 21:30 (NIV)
Christa Lanier, Murfreesboro, TN. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians‬ â€4‬:â€12-13‬ NIV
Bakersfield, Ca
2 Timothy 4:17 NIV
“But The Lord stood by my side and gave me strength.”
Omaha, 1 Corinthians 13:1-7
And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but I have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Shannon Demastus, Des Moines, Iowa
Ephesians 5:8 “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light.”
NIV
Calee McElwain, Butler, MO
Deuteronomy 13:4 New International Version (NIV)
It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.
Jessica Jere, Germantown, WI “For ever since the world was created people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuses for not knowing God.” Romans 1:20 (NLT)
Monica Applegate, Amarillo, Tx
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.
Ephesians 3:20 KJV
Do everything without complaining or arguing. Philippians 2:14 ESV
Tanya Muckelrath, North Canton, Ohio Psalm 25:3 (NIV)
No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.”
Tammara, Frisco, TX
Philippians 1:6 (NASB)
For I am confident of this very thing, the He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” ESV
Jeremiah 29:13 NIV You will seek me and find me with you seek me with all your heart.
Micki Elaine, Atlanta, Texas
But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.
Colossians 3:8 (NLT)
Ruth Cole, Shreveport LA. Isaiah 30:21 NIV 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.”
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (â€Ephesians‬ â€4‬:â€30‬ NIV)
Janine, Staunton, VA
Luke 6:38 ESV “…give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Donna, Ponder, TX Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.
Oakhurst, CA
Isa 46:4
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Tracy, Holland MI Psalm 55:22 ESV “Cast your burdens on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Peggyann Calderwood, Crestview, Florida
“A Happy Heart Makes the Face Cheerful”.
Proverbs 15:73NIV
JESUS LOVES YOU
Tammie Lambdin, Knoxville, TN
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Denise Bell
Jackson, TN
Psalms 16:5-6
5 You, LORD, are all I want!
You are my choice,
and you keep me safe.
6 You make my life pleasant,
and my future is bright.
Cammi Moffatt, Magnolia, TX, “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” I Thess 5:16-18 (NLT)
Peggyann Calderwood, Crestview, Florida
“A Happy Heart Makes the Face Cheerful”.
Proverbs 15:13 NIV
JESUS LOVES YOU
Kirsten Pierce, Boones Mill, VA. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Debra Morel – Houston, Texas
“She speaks wise words and teaches others to be kind.” Proverbs 31:26 (NCV)
Kari – Loveland, CO
…who comforts us in all our afflictions so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted. 2 Corinthians 1:4 (NAS)
Kim Minot, ND NIV John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Melissa, Indiana
1 John 2:5 NKJV
But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
Proverbs 10:12-13 “Hatred stirs up conflict but love covers all wrongs. Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning.”
1 Peter 5:6-7 KJV
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Debbie James, Muskogee, Ok
“I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.” Job 23:12 (NIV)
Elizabeth Bennett – Gainesville, GA – “Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” – 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 (ESV)
Romans 12:1-2 (NASB) Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, [a]acceptable to God, which is your [b]spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this [c]world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may [d]prove what the will of God is, that which is good and [e]acceptable and perfect.
Aryn Madsen, Beaverton, OR. Psalm 100:5 “For God is sheer beauty, all generous in love, loyal always and ever.” (MSG)
Hot Springs, Arkansas
“But HE knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 KJV
Melanie, Dacula, Georgia
“Therefore as you received Christ Jesus The Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed and overflowing with gratitude.” Col. 2:6,7 NAS
Barb, Bolivar, MO James 1:2-3 NIV Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Teri Turner, Rock Hill, SC Job 23:10 NIV
“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”
James 1:2-4 (NKJV)
My brethren count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing.
Ruth, Odin, IL
“And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.”
– Romans 8:11 (NIV84)
Sandy Lewis, Overland Park, Kansas
“He has showed you, oh man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 (NIV)
Tracy Carden – Whitesburg, TN
Wisdom’s call…Counsel and sound judgement are mine; I have insight, I have power. Proverbs 8:14 (NIV)
LeAnn, Tucson,AZ. Deuteronomy 33:12 NIV About Benjamin he said: “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him,for he shields him all day long,and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.”
Dainele Mendenhall
Longmont, CO
2 Corinthians 2:9 NIV
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power my rest on me.
Carla, Pierre, SD
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 NIV
Chelle Felan, Humble,TX
Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face continually.
1 Chronicles 16:11 KJV
Deb- Everett, WA
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
Niki, West Liberty, KY. Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (NKJV)