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.
Amy Wilkinson, Corpus Christi, Texas
The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior.
He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.
Zephaniah 3:17 (NASB) – sorry I was late! 🙂
2Samuael 22:20 He broughht me out into a wide open place:he delivered me because he was pleased with me. NET
Evangeline , Houston, TX
Kathi Bowers
Macungie,PA
Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Margie, San Angelo, Texas
John 1:3 NIV Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
Mandy Phelps, Asheboro, NC
“For we walk by faith, not by sight” 2nd Corinthians 5:7 ESV. KJV, NKJV
Jess Isler, Atlanta, GA
Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the father of light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. James 1:17 (MSG)
Julie Christensen, Palm Springs, CA
A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.
Luke 6:45 NLT
Sonya Dickerson, Chesterfield, VA
“But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.” Psalm 13:5 (NLT)
Kathy
Folsom CA
“”‘You are my witnesses,’ declares the Lord, ‘and my servant whom I have chosen so that you may know, and believe me and understand that I am He.'”
Isaiah 43:10 NIV
Liz Dunton, Rocky Mount, NC
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” Matthew 16:26 ESV
Bonnie Janus, Clarks Summit, PA
Ephesians 6:10 NIV
“Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in His mighty power.”
Terri, Southaven, MS
“If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land.” Isaiah 1:19 NIV
Megan JOY – Calgary, AB Canada – “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. Do everything without complaining and arguing” – Philippians 2:13-14 – NLT
Brooke Fradd, Sevierville, Tennessee
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory. 1 Corinthians 10:31 HCSB
Rachel Johnston Lakewood, WA
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 ESV
Mary
Chester, Virginia
New Living Translation
Psalm 119:17-24
Gimel
Be good to Your servant
that I may live and obey Your word.
Open my eyes to see
the wonderful truths in Your instructions
I am only a foreigner in the land
Don’t hide Your commands from me!
I am always overwhelmed
with a desire for Your regulations.
You rebuke the arrogant
those who wander from your commands are cursed.
Don’t let them scorn and insult me,
for I have obeyed Your laws.
Even princes sit and speak against me,
but I will meditate on Your decrees.
Your laws please me;
they give me wise advice.
Deana Nunn
Wilmer, Alabama
“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22 ESV
Cassie Morrow, Seattle, WA “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” Psalm 1:3 NIV
Stephanie Davis, Midlotbian, Tx
Ephesians 4:1-3
 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.
Amy from North Wales, PA:
“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.”
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Robbie C., Bay Minette, AL, For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts that your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9 NASB
Vickie Kalinovich, Greenville, SC
“God is our refuge and strength an ever-present help in trouble.”Psalm 46:1(NIV)
Tryon, NC; “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Jeanette Blevins, Crescent, Oklahoma
2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Sandy Pinedo. Los Angeles, CA
2 Corinthians 4:18 “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” NIV
Coquille, OR
LORD, you are my portion and my cup of blesding; You hold my future.
Psalm 16:5
Rae Ritchie, Lafayette, IN. with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love NKJV Eph 4:2
Wendy McClellan, Powhatan, Virginia
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:19 NIV
Eva, Knoxville, TN – (cont.) a time to kill and a time to heal,
Ecclesiastes 3:3 (NIV)
Cindi White – Smyrna, Georgia
“For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 2:15 HCSB
Diane R, Lenexa Kansas
Ephesians 6:14-15
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. (NIV)
Kathy – Westerville, Ohio
I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and my supplications. Psalm 116:1 (NASB)
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
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.
Alexa Landrum, Kansas City, MO
“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
Jamie Stellingwerf, Paramount, California
“I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope for your name it is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.” Psalm 52:9 NIV
Forgot to say I’m from Montgomery, AL.
Tammy P, Jamestown, NC
If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.
James 1:26 (NLT)
Leah Harell, daegu S. Korea – cease striving and know that I am God. NASB
Tonya Hardy, Istanbul, Turkey ” ‘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
Amber Mull, Leland, NC
“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 Gods will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? (â€Psalms‬ â€56‬:â€3-4‬ NASB)
Laurie Hunt Bossier City, La
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1 ESV
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s almighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.”
1 Peter 5:6 NIV
Psalm 27:8
“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, do I seek.
Charlene
Alabaster, AL
Romans 12:12 (NKJV)
rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Valerie D.
Falmouth, MI
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 NASB
Leeza, Vineland, NJ
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. – Job 19:25-27 ESV
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
Brenda Orlow, Jordan, MN
“When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36 NIV
“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