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.
Connie, Iowa, Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Phil. 4:4 NKJV
River Falls, WI
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. Romans 12:21, NLT
Valerie Haustein, Denver, Colorado.
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
Jane from Snow Camp, NC: “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” Hebrews 7:25 (NIV)
Lee Ann Wright – Adairville, KY – Psalm 51:15 “O Lord, Open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.”
“Call to ME and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Jeremiah 33:3,NKJV
Tonya Devine, Bryant, AR: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12, NIV
Natalie Turnage, Hattiesburg, MS
She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said “I have now seen the One who sees me.” Genesis 16:13 NIV
Michaela Langlais Elk River, MN
Jeremiah 31:25 ESV
For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.”
Angie W., Federal Way, WA
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; Job 42:5 ESV
London Sommer
Denham Springs LA
They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Psalm‬ â€112‬:â€7‬ NIV
Endicott, NY: Psalm 37:1-5 ESV
“Fret not yourself because of evildoers;
be not envious of wrongdoers!
For they will soon fade like the grass
and wither like the green herb.
Trust in the Lord, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.”
Sally Reed, Houston, Tx, Romans 8:32, NIV. He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Joan Robertson, La Vernia, Texas Philippians 3:8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ NIV
Fern Massey, Leavenworth, KS – Proverbs 10:12-13a – Hatred stirs up conflict, but Love covers over all wrongs. Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning. -NIV
JOyce Kortze, Rockford, IL
“Do not conform any longer to the patter of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind; that by testing you may discern the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NIV(2a)/ESV(2b)
James 1:19-20 (ESV)
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
“Call to ME and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Jeremiah 33:3,NIV
Hilary Douglas; Lexington, KY
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again, rather the Spirit you received brought about your Sonship and by him we cry Abba Father.
Romans 8:15 (NIV)
Turkesshia, Greensboro, NC:
I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.
Hosea 14:4 KJV
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9
Kristen Folsom, Nashville TN
“I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” – Psalms 116.1-2 (NLT)
Psalm 105:4 “Keep your eyes open for God, watch for His works; be alert for signs of His presence.” The Message
Michelle Wiger, Mooresville , NC “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 NIV
whitney ashworth, atlanta ga
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
Tammy de Wet, McKinney, Tx – “Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.” Psalm 119:18. NLT
Emalie, Holden, MO
I’m a new Siesta to SSMT
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 (NASB)
Christy, Jonesboro, AR
John 8:12 NIV
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Jami Carey, Fishers, IN
So is my word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 NIV
Jennie Weekley, Greensboro, NC
“He changes times and seasons. He deposes kings and sets up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.”
Daniel2:21 NIV
Janet Saxon, Springfield, Missouri, “Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His Presence continually.” Psalm 105:4 ESV
Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 KJV
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 NIV
Proverbs 3:5 “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.” NIV
Kim, Amherst, Ohio
Prov. 31:11. NIV
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
Anna Daub, Fort Worth TX – 1 Peter 1:5-6
who, through faith, are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last times. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
Diane, Longmont, CO
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Jessica B., North Potomac, MD
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.
Philippians 1:9 NLT
Brittany Hart, Jefferson City, MO “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.” James 1:2-3 NIV
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2NIV
Jo Ann Rodgers, Aston, PA. “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12 NASB
Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
~ Job 11:7 NIV
“Seek the Lord and His strength: Seek His face evermore.” Psalm 105:4
Beth Barron
Rome, GA
My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. but if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ the Righteous One. He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, & not only for ours, but also for the whole world.
1 John 2:1-2 HCSB
Barbara Owens, Washington, NC Isaiah 43:18,19 NIV – “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.”
JoAnne, Casper, Wyoming! Psalm 138:8 (NKJV)
The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
MaryJo
Plainfield, IN
Blessed are those whose strength is in you. Psalm 84:5a (NIV)
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be givenhim. James 1:5 esv
Maggie Grisetti, Douglasville Ga.
“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.” Psalm 119:9 (NIV)
I’m the youth director at my church, so I’m choosing verses for my kids to memorize as well. A few of them are putting them on Instagram (#scriptsquad15) so I’m hopeful they will remember them in December! Thank you for this encouragement!
Ali C., Pleasanton, CA- 7“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. (â€Matthew‬ â€6‬:â€7-9‬ ESV)