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.
And the King will answer them”Truly I say to you, as you did it to the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. ” ESV Matthew 25:40
As it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one. Romans 3:10 NKJV
Fawnda Dooley. Denton, TX
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.”
Psalm 119:103 NIV
Sandra Roberts, Fort Worth, TX “Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” Psalm 55:22
Katy, TX
“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles….” Isaiah 42:6 NIV
Lisa Lawson, Roanoke Rapids, NC
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever. Psalm 73:26 NLT
Jill Steele, Bridgeport, WV. “My soul, wait only upon God, for my expectation is from Him.”. Psalm 62:5, NKJV
Pammie, Barstow, CA. “Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name…Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.” (ā1 Chroniclesā¬ ā16ā¬:ā8a, 11ā¬ NASB)
Michelle, Chesapeake, VA
They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Psalm 112:7 (NIV)
But He knows the way that I take; He has tested me and I will come forth as gold. Job23:10 NIV
Cathy Stephens, Lebanon, OH
You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. Psalm 139:3 NLT
Lea Ann Frank, Hales Corners, WI
Psalm 46:1 NIV ~ “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Vickie Smith, Chesapeake, VA: āLet the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.ā
Colossians 3:16
Shara, Rockville MD, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 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.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (ESV)
Nancy, Versailles, Ky
There is a time for everything,
And a season for every activity under the heavens:
A time to be born and a time to die,
A time to plan and a time to uproot
-Ecc 3:1-2 NIV
Lori, Powder Springs, GA. “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.” John 15:5-6 NASB
Sarah Morris. Leander, TX
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. (Romans 10:17)
Marisha Pressley, Pendleton, IN
“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands,so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” (Psalm 91:11-12 NIV)
Lyn, Tulsa, OK. “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25 NKJV)
Susan Kreider, Bird in Hand, PA
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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2-3 NIV
Tammy in Folsom, CA “For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9
Cyndi, Chandler AZ “And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.” 1 John 4:21
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not or human masters. Colossians 3:23 NIV
Teena, Cypress, TX. “For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.” ~ Colossians 2:9 NLT
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lordās holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ
Ephesians 3:17b-18
Debbie W – Prattville, Alabama
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:12
NLT
Matthew 17:20 (NIV)
He replied, āBecause you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, āMove from here to there,ā and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.ā
Amy in Ewa Beach, HI
Martha was the jittery type and was worrying…But the Lord said to her, āMartha, dear friend, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered itāand I wonāt take it away from her!ā
Luke 10:40-42 TLB
Lynn Roney
Scottsboro, AL
“I in them and You in me, all being perfected into one so that the world will know You sent me and will understand that YOU LOVE THEM as much as You love me.” John 17;23 The Living Bible (1988)
153 Ladies!!
Susan C., Altamonte Springs, Florida
Consider Him, who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won’t grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:3 HCSB
Darla from Benton, LA
Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty in battle! Psalm 24:8 KJV
Keep your life free from the love of money, be content with what you have for he said “I will
Never leave you or forsake you.” — Hebrews 13:3 esv
Pat, Brandon, Fl
“Be strong & courageous. Do not be frightened, & do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Gail-Tyler,TX
Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;
Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Psalm 119:34 NKJV
Kim Safina Central Coast California
As I have loved you,… you also love one another.
John 13:34
JOHN 8:38
I (JESUS)TELL THE THINGS WHICH I HEARED AND LEARNED AT
MY FATHERS SIDE,
AND(LET)YOUR ACTIONS ALSO REFLECT WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD
AND LEARNED FROM YOUR FATHER.
(learned and heard both have the word ear in them!)
Sarah Musser, Nashville, TN “However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’ – the things God has prepared for those who love him – these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” 1 Cor 2:9-10 NIV
Angie, Carterville,IL
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted,forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32,ESV
Marilyn, Piedmont OK
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is Godās will for you in Christ Jesus.
Brooke, Atlanta, GA
Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.
Joshua 1:9, MSG
Lisa Cummings, Joaquin, TX. “Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Psalm 1:5,6
Jennie Dexter, Michigan
Hebrews 12:11- (NIV)
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.
Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness
and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Andrea, Massillon, Ohio
Matthew 6:34 NIV “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it’s own.”
2 Thessalonians 3:3English Standard Version (ESV)
3Ā ButĀ the Lord is faithful. He will establish you andĀ guard you againstĀ the evil one.
Sissy- Waycross, GA
Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvationā whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my lifeā of whom shall I be afraid?
Wendy Tomlinson, Pickering, Ontario
Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men
(Colossians 3:23 HCSB)
Scarlett from Savannah, GA:
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 12:2 (ESV)
Michelle Crane, American Canyon, CA “My thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Forgot my reference – Isaiah 55:8-9
Kendra, Fort Collins, CO “Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways,and He will guide you on the right paths.”
Oops, I forgot… Proverbs 3:5-6 (HCSB)
Elizabeth Fikes, Cookeville, Tennessee:
“ā¦for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
2 Timothy 1:7