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.
Pam, Florence, AL
Philippians 4:6 ESV
Do not be anxious about ANYTHING, but in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication WITH
THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known to God.
Yaneli, Houston, TX
Luke 1:45
She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled!
HCSB
Tina Blankenship, Auxvasse MO Joshua 1:9 Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Debbie, Atascocita, TX
Romans 8:6 NIV
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”
Becky Van Verst, Bend OR
So also the tongue is a small member yet it boasts of great things. How great a forrest is set ablaze by such a small fire. James 3:5 ESV
Michele Foster, Taylorsville NC
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9NIV
Abbie, North Platte, NE
“But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” Exodus 9:16 ESV
Ashley Phillips, McKinney, TX: The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24 NLT
Tina Harrell from Chesapeake, VA – “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” I Chronicles 16:11 (NIV84)
Mariposa, Albuquerque New Mexico
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
Judy from Cleveland, Ohio Ezekiel 36:26 [NIV]
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I will remove from you your heart of stone, and give you a heart of flesh.
Angela Fitzgerald
Midlothian, Texas
“If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”
Isaiah 7:9
Lisa Mottin, Davidsville, PA
“The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.” Psalm 126:3 ESV
Danielle Gahman, Graterford, Pa. “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 ESV
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 power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 New International Version (NIV)
Ami De La Rosa, Collinsville, OK “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Rachel Nestman, Hackettstown, New Jersey. But the Lord stood at my side and game me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 2 Timothy 4:17 NIV
Melissa – Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
James 1:26 NIV
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
Stacey, Houston – “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19 NAS
Dolores Butler, Vanceboro, NC
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7New International Version (NIV)
Rebekah Messick. Wentzville, MO
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
Lesli Kohout, Oceanside, CA
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Thessalonians 5:16-17
Hi Jan, I was just looking for my entry and see we have the same verse this time around.
Cool!
Mia Claire Lebow, Brevard, NC… “Do not be afraid of sudden terror, not of trouble from the wicked when it comes; for the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.” Proverbs 3:25-26 NKJV
Romans 15:4 NIV
Everything that was written in the past was written to teach me, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures I might have hope
Amanda Lebow, Brevard, NC… “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Pslam 119:18 ESV
Darcy Best, Cypress, TX
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV
Jennifer, Jinja Uganda : Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV) ” 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.”
Deanna, Harwood, MD. “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.” John 14:26 NIV
James 1:19 NIV
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this:Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
Smithfield, NC
Jonah 2:8 -NIV Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them
Shelley, Fort Walton Beach, Florida
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV)
Brentwood, TN
He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God.
Romans 4:20 (HCSB)
Ontario, Canada
Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored His name. Malachi 3:16 (NIV)
Studying Daniel with Beth Moore!!!Verse from week 1
Psalm 103-1, NIV “Praise the Lord, oh my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”
What is impossible with men, is possible with God. ZLuke 18:27 niv
Rochelle – Bryan, TX
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers (and sisters),
By the mercies of God,
To present your bodies as a living sacrifice,
Holy and acceptable to God,
Which is your spiritual worship.
Romans 12:1
Mischia from Morganton, NC
“The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.” 1 John 1:2 (NIV)
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5 NIV
Tammy, Deer Park, WA
But you are shield around me, O Lord;
You bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
To the Lord I cry aloud,
and he answers me from his holy hill.
I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
Psalm 3:3-5
Debbie B. From Marietta GA
“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” 1 John 3:18
Jessie Myers, Kokomo, Indiana
I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Philippians 3:8 NIV
Becky, Alberta, Canada
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. But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come out as gold. Job. 23:9, 10 ESV
Michelle, E. Longmeadow, MA
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 NASB
Sheila Johnson, Beckley, WV Psalm 145:17 NIV The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.
Denise. Newnan GA.
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10 New International Version (NIV)
Shan Copeland, Salina, Kansas
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5
The Angel of The Lord encamps around those who fear Him and He delivers them. Psalm 34:7
Becca Bell
Joplin, MO
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” -Romans 10:14