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;
9 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.
10 But He knows the way that I take;
when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
11 My foot has held fast to his steps;
I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
12 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.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Collassians 3:12 NIV
Wendy from Savannah, GA “Teach me to do your will for you are my God! Let your good spirit lead me on level ground!” Psalm 143:10
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves – Colossians 1:13
Kendal Rader, Tulsa, Oklahoma
“Many are saying of Lance, “God will not deliver him”
But you LORD, are a shield around him , his glory
the ONe who lifts his head high” Psalm 3: 2-3 NIV
Kennedy, Savannah, GA “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill/” Number 23:19
Allison L., Tulsa, OK
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
Philippians 1:12-16, ESV
James 3:17 NASB. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
Lisa, Granville, Ohio
“…we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” II Chronicles 20:12 NIV
Donna Boswell, Russellville, Kentucky
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourself.” Philippians 2:3
Mackenzie, Savannah, GA “Do not let your adorning be external-the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear-but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” 1 Peter 3:3-4
John 15:11
ESV
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
Tracie Warren, HI
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8, NIV.
Becky Frame, Scottsdale, AZ
“Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through Your word.”
Psalm 119:37 (NLT)
Shelia, Columbia MO- week 2-“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
week 3- “Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God.’” Luke 18:27 NIV
(I have trouble getting to a computer where I can enter things in a timely fashion right now…)
Lauren Gross, Pineville, LA
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV
Shelley Rogers, AR
Matthew 6:34 NRSB
So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of it’s own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
Suzy Edwards – Smyrna, Georgia (Atlanta area)
5- Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my help comes from Him.
6- He alone is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Fortress, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 62: 5 & 6 – NIV
Is. 54:10 The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end.
Jane from Calgary, Alberta: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
Lisa Hamilton, Kingsport, TN Psalm 103:4-5 NIV “Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Connie Willard, Texas
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her. Luke1: 45 NIV
Vanessa Himes, Newark, OH
“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
Leslie, Effingham, IL
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:29, NIV
Gini Bishop, The Woodlands, TX Philippians 4:8, NIV Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.
Charlotte Hrdlicka, Claremore,Okla.
“Her mouth speaks from that which fills her heart”, Luke 6:45, NIV
Melissa Kocurek, Houston TX
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:27-28 NIV
Melissa Dougherty, Skiatook, OK: “All your children shall be taught by The Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 (ESV)
Melanie Miller Armuchee, GA
“And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Exodus 33:14 (NKJV)
ISA.26:3-4 KJV “THOU WILT KEEP IN PERFECT PEACE,WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON THEE:BECAUSE HE TRUSTETH IN THEE.
TRUST YE IN THE LORD FOR EVER: FOR IN THE LORD JEHOVAH IS EVERLASTING STRENGTH;”
Alet Swart, Pretoria South Africa
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love’
Eph 4:2 (NIV)
Katie – Crawford, Tx
“Teach me your way, Lord,that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:11 (NIV)
Billie, Franklin, TN
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
Psalm 34:5 NIV
Frances, Orange, TX
My flesh and my heart may fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 NIV
Jacki of Bolivar, MO: “I am leaving you with a gift, peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 2 Corinthians 4:17, NLT
Megan Passarella Waupaca, WI
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”. (1 Corinthians 2: 9 NIV)
Sarah Dulin, Denton, TX
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27
Kaylee Schlabach, Tampa, Fl
Isaiah 30:19-23a ESV
19 For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you.
20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher.
21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
22 Then you will defile your carved idols overlaid with silver and your gold-plated metal images. You will scatter them as unclean things. You will say to them, “Be gone!”
23 And he will give rain for the seed with which you sow the ground, and bread, the produce of the ground, which will be rich and plenteous…”
Shannon, Columbia, SC
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
Jen, Greenville, KY Psalm 28:7, NIV: The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in Him and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I will praise Him.
jeanne Newberry, Cordova, TN.
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13 NIV)
Tanya Shilling, Atlanta, GA
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV
Lori, Salem, VA
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
Leanne Herrmann, Smithfield, NC
I will praise the Lord all my life. I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Psalm 146:2
Terry Karlson
Winchester, VA
Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” ESV
Patricia, Lake Forest, CA
“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” NIV
Linda, Holts Summit, MO
Ephesians 2:13 NIV
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far way have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
Kymberleigh, Southaven, Mississippi
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7 NASB
Hannah F., Johnson City, TN
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 NIV