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.
Keri, Nampa, Idaho “And this is my prayer: that your life may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” ~Philippians 1:9-10 NIV
Owensboro, Kentucky
Psalms 37:23 NLT
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
Psalms 37:23 NLT
Diane E., Charleston, IL
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thess. 16-18 NIV
Cherie, Pocatello, ID. “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.ā (1 Corinthians 10:31b, NIV)
Amy Black, Collins Ms.
I will restore to you the years
that the swarming locust has eaten,
the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter,
my great army, which I sent among you.
Joel 2:25 ESV
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the Holy Spirit.
Stacey Mills, Warner Robins, GA
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
Amy, Albemarle, NC
“Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.”-2 Cor. 5:1, NIV
Alana McCullough, Lorton VA. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2: 8-9 NIV
Lindsay from Florence, SC
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. -Romans 8:28 NIV
Laura, El Paso, TX
“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.” Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Regina Coleman, Salado, TX
“He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me into a polished arrow
and concealed me in his quiver.”
Isaiah 49:2
Shelley Mijares, Rogers, Arkansas
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
Psalm 28:7 ESV
Alice van de Beek, Lichtenvoorde, Holland
Jezus zei; “Ik ben de weg, de waarheid en het leven. Niemand kan bij de Vader komen dan door mij.”
Johannes 14:6
Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one goes to the Father except by me”
John 14:6
Cecilia Grabowski, Cheswick PA Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Carolyn Tragesser, Orofino, Idaho. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life….Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matthew 6:25a,27.
Oops! NIV (BTW, KJV uses adding a cubit to stature rather than an hour to life. Interesting.)
Amy, Rapid City, SD
Lord , our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.
Psalm 8:1 NIV
Isabel Soto| Los Angeles, CA
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him]”
1 John 4:7, AMP
Jillann Brusstar, King of Prussia, Pa
Ephesians 4:32 KJV
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Linda Hooper, Seneca, SC, “Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God.'” Luke 18:27 NIV
Taylor, Houston, TX
“Or do you think scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace. That is why scripture says: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
James 4:5-6
Penni Jones, Kingwood, TX
“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing with joy and be glad all our days.” Ps. 90:14 (NIV)
DC Rusert, Midland TX
Hebrews 12:1 ESV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race set before us
I know I am late but I am not going to keep me from posting my third verse!
Jeremiah 17:8
“They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. it has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Marla, Sparta, TN
Isaiah 61:3
to grant to those who mourn in Zionā
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
Nancy Terwilliger – Lebanon, Tn
A man’s steps are established by the Lord and he takes pleasure in his way. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord holds his hand. Psalms 37:23-24, HCSB
Susan Peaslee Somerville, Maine
Isaiah 43:1 (KJV) But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: For I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by name; thou art mine.
Cassandra Kingston, MA
I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out-plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. Jeremiah 29:11 MSG
Katie Keller, Gurnee, Illinois
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33, ESv.
Karla, Katy, TX
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6 KJV
Asheville, NC
Proverbs 14:12 ESV
There is a way that seems right for a woman (man) but its end is the way to death.
Kathy, St. Louis, MO
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 (NIV’84)
Belinda, Smithfield, NC
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength”
Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV
Kristin Pearson Yorktown, Virginia
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me;…”
John 5:39, NASB
MaryJane Voss, Rockwall,TX
“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 NIV
Debbie Sullivan – Springfield, MO
This is my command- be strong and courageou!
Do not be afraid or discouraged. For The Lord your
God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 (NLT)
Lisa, Savage, MN. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:1(ESV)
Rissa,Clarksville,Tennessee
But He said to me,”My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfet in weakness.” Therefor I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknessess so that CHrist power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12;9 NIV
Fran, Gainesville FL
John 1:4-5 NIV
In him was life and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness but the darkness has not understood it.
Nina, Stigler, Oklahoma Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:14-15
Michelle, Mosinee, WI
Be thankful in all ccircumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1These 5:18 NLT
Nancy Coffey
Barboursville WV
“He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. ”
Psalm 147:3 ESV
Marie Gregg from Post Falls, Idaho –
“Forsake foolishness and live, and go in the way of understanding.” – Proberbs 9:6 (NKJV)
Alyssa Tabor, Springfield, MO
“For I am the Lord, your God,
who takes hold your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.”
Isaiah 41:13 NIV 1984
Victoria Read, Decatur, AL. “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 33:3 ESV
Dusty Mercier, Houston, Texas. I know the lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. Psalm 16:8 NLT
Patti Klasing Houston, Tx
“God is our refuge sand strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46.1 (NIV)
Locust Grove, VA
So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey Godās laws, and it never will. Thatās why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. Romans 8:6-8 (NLT)
Kristen, Largo, FL Ps. 19:14 “Let these words of my mouth, and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”
Hebrews 13:6 NKJV