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.
Cheryl, Warsaw, IN
As for God, His way is perfect: the Word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. Psalms 18:30 (NKJV)
Linda, Minneapolis, MN. Hosea 6:3 NLT “Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know Him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.”
Carolyn West Ringgold,GA “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear has torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”I John 4:18
Emily Warsaw, In
“This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. In fact, hope reaches behind the curtain and into the most holy place.
Hebrews 6:19 CEV
Jackie Keiser, Nappanee, Indiana. “But he knows every detail of what is happening to me: and when he has examined me, he will pronounce me completely innocent- as pure as solid gold!” Job 23:10 Living translation
Karen in Flower Mound, TX
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. .
HEB 11:1 (NLt)
Kim, Columbia City, IN
Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter 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. NIV
Tammie Wood, Whitwell Tn. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly in his commandments. Psalm 112:1 ESV
Delights
SARAH Wright Kennewick WA
ROMANS 12:3 niv
for by the grace giving me I say to every one of you: do not think of yourself more highly then you Ought but rather think of yourself with sober judgement in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Ginny, Wilson NC
The Lord your God is with you,the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Joanna Schumacher, Arlington, TX
Don not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Katelyn Lee, Mitchell, IN. “There is one who speaks rashly, like a piercing sword; but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs‬ â€12‬:â€18,‬ HCSB.
Sandy Hartley, Clatskanie, OR
Psalm 4:8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone O LORD make me dwell in safety. (for my little guy too when he is scared at night). NKJV
Carol V. Fredericksburg, Virginia
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3
Erin Beakley, Dallas TX
The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him…
2 Chronicles 16:9 NLT
Psalm 138:8English Standard Version (ESV)
8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Julie, Lincoln, NE
For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:13 NIV84
From Tishomingo, OK
The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing. (NIV)
Kim, Richmond, Tx, “The LORD appeared to us in the past,saying: “I have loved youth an everlasting love’ I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)
Dawn Tolley, Appomattox, VA “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” (Proverbs 12:25, NIV)
Claire, Covington GA.
For God did not see his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not belive stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:17-18 NIV
Natalie Macek, from Damascus, MD: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4, NKJV
Andrea Emslie. Simi Valley.
Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
NIV
Tasha:
Romans 3:23-24 (HCS)
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Destiny:
Psalms 119:124 (NLT)
I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love, and teach me your decrees.
Melanie, Hurley Mississippi
2. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3. because you know the testing of your FAITH produces perseverance. James 1:2-3 (NIV)
Sally – san Clemente, CA – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (NIV)
Pat, Monument, CO. “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Romans 4:25 NIV
Susan Smith, Helena, Montana. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Psalm 33:21
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
Job 23:10 NIV
Linda Pierson, Las Vegas, NV
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17, NIV
Paula Rockwood, Brunswick, ME
“You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.” Ps. 139:3 ESV
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! Ps. 1:1
Carla Santiago, Cherry Hill, NJ
Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come
She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. Prov 31:25-26 NKJV
Beth Kellett ~ Calgary AB Canada
But the Advocate, 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. (â€John‬ â€14‬:â€26‬ NIV)
Leslie Giron from Johnston City, IL
1Corinthians 10:31 NKJV
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the Glory of God.
Hendersonville, TN
“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”
Job 23:10 (NIV)
Stephanie Webb, Saint George, Utah
I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:12-13 ESV
Kathy
Danvers, MA
Psalm 28:7 NIV
The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to Him in song.
Heather Wilkinson
Springfield, VA
Phil 4:6-7 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Cathie, Bothell, Washington
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:23
Sandy Harper–Ringgold, GA
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” NIV
Sandy Harper–Ringgold, GA
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
Delba-Dorsey,MS
“Taste and see that The Lord is good. Oh the joys of those who take refuge in Him.”
Psalm 34:8 NLT
Cara, Oswego, IL. “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37 ESV
Tracy – Leland, NC
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
Colossians 2:8 NIV
Jill Colorado Springs, Colorado 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.(Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)
Jennifer R. Houston, Texas “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galations 5:1 (NIV)
Judy from Forty Fort PA
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
PROVERBS 3:5 (NIV)
Lori – Deer Park, WA “But endurance must do its complete work so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:4 HCSB
Meg.
Fort Collins, Colorado
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.
2 Cor 12:9 NKJ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.