Pinning God's Word in My Heart | Psalm 119:114

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Scripture Memory for 2013

Once again, Beth Moore is encouraging us to memorize Scripture throughout the year. The goal is to choose one verse on the 1st and 15th of each month and work on it for the next two weeks. Easy enough, right?

I joined in with the Siesta Scripture Memory Team in 2011 and was so blessed by choosing a verse to meditate on for those two weeks. I memorized some and simply meditated on others. I'm hoping to be able to memorize all 24 verses this year! Details are on the Living Proof blog here. Would love for you to join in this year!

I will be posting my verse on the 1st and 15th of each month on this page. Feel free to check in and see what I'm memorizing. I'd also love for you to ask me how it's going! I can't do this alone and the accountability would be appreciated. :)

My first verse for the year is:

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. | Psalm 119:114, NIV

Last Scripture for the Year!

Wow . . . it's hard to believe that this year's focus on Scripture memory is coming to an end. It's been a bit up and down for me (and the last two months have definitely been a "down"), but it's been so, so, so good.

Here are the last five verses of the Christmas story. While I haven't done as well with the actual memorization, it's been a true joy to study and meditate on these verses. The Lord has shown me a lot through this familiar passage. And that's really the point anyway, right?!

And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.^17181920

Luke 2:16-20, ESV

Greatest Announcement of All Time!

I can NOT believe it is December! November absolutely flew by . . . and to be totally honest . . . this year has too!

December 1 means it's time for more Scripture memory. I'm not doing so hot on the actual memorization, but reading and re-reading has been good for me. So . . . I'm pushing myself to memorize but am not going to beat myself up if I don't.

Remember, I'm working on Luke 2:1-20. Over the next two weeks, I'm working on Luke 2:11-15. (You can get the first five verses here and the second five verses here.)

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."

Luke 2:11-15, ESV

I absolutely love this part. I can see it happening in my mind. Talk about an announcement! And certainly one fit for the King of kings and Lord of lords!

The Christmas Story [Part 2]

It's time for the next five verses. I don't quite have the first five memorized, but I'm going to keep pushing forward.

6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.  7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.  8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.  10 And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."

Luke 2: 6-10

Scripture Memory - A Longer Passage

Oh my word. It's November. And for me, where I live, that means fall. Finally.

It also means that the next two months are likely the busiest months of my year. I'm sure it's the same for many of you as well.

I will confess that I completely forgot about Scripture memory during the last half of October. Hence, the fact there was no post on October 15.

I have an idea that I'm going to try to memorize in longer passages next year. And by passages, I mean possibly an entire book of the Bible. I really need the Lord to give me confidence that I can do it. Right now, I keep thinking, "There's no way I can do that!" But I know there is . . . by the power of the Holy Spirit. Let me know if you want to join me. I'm thinking Ephesians or Philippians or James or maybe a chunk of Psalms or something.

Anyway. A couple of years ago I heard from a friend that her children were memorizing the Christmas story in Luke 2 for school. With all the busyness that surrounds the holidays, I think that's a great way to keep the true meaning of Christmas before me. So ... over the next two months, I'm going to give it a go. Plus, it'll be a mini-challenge to myself before I jump into a bigger challenge.

¹In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ²This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³And all went to be registered, each to his own town. ⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 

Luke 2:1-5, ESV

Forgiveness

I recently read a great fiction book that focused on forgiveness . . . God's forgiveness of our sins, the need for us to forgive others, the need to forgive yourself. It was great! One of the verses that was quoted is one that is familiar but not one that I've memorized. Over the next two weeks, I'll commit this one to memory.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

Psalm 103:11-12, ESV

Isn't that amazing?! As far as the east is from the west. I pray that this truth will be constantly on my mind!

Verse 18!

Woot! Woot! We're on verse 18 for the year!

A co-worker shared this verse at our staff meeting yesterday morning. I thought it was such a great picture of the Lord covering us and us resting in Him.

Of Benjamin he said, "The beloved of the LORD dwells in safety.The High God surrounds him all day long, and dwells between his shoulders."

Deuteronomy 33:12, ESV

For All People

This year is flying by so quickly! It seems nearly impossible that it is already September. (Do I say this every month? Regardless, it's how I feel . . .)

The beginning of September means that it's time for a new memory verse. We've been studying 1 Timothy at church so I'm choosing my verses from the text from this past week's sermon. I have been convicted about my prayer life - as you can probably tell from other recent posts - so this really hit me.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

1 Timothy 2: 1-2, ESV

Amazing Promise!

I've completely lost track of which verse we're on . . . are we on verse 16?! Seriously?!

Our church has recently re-structured our worship services, and we've begun quoting this verse from Isaiah before our pastor preaches each week. I'm sure that I'll have this one memorized in no time, but I want to be intentional about doing it now rather than later. What an amazing promise!

The grass withers, the flower fades,

but the word of our God will stand forever.

Isaiah 40:8, ESV

Scripture Memory

Nothing was really coming to me for my next Scripture memory verse, so I decided to see what other Siestas are memorizing this month. The first one I saw seemed like a great one to put to memory. It's a familiar verse which makes it even better!

But he said to me “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

A couple of words immediately pop out: grace, power, sufficient. What a great verse!

Take Refuge

Okay ... somehow it seems like the days are flying by faster than they were earlier in the year. Not sure how that happens, but it's true! I can't believe it's been two more weeks and we are nearing the end of summer ... or the middle at least. We have a ton going on at our house right now with trips and jobs and parties and friends and family and just ordinary life stuff.

But, alas, two more weeks have come and gone and it's time to choose another memory verse.

This verse has been staring at my from my computer desktop since July 1 (thanks (in)courage for the awesome desktop background!) so I'm going to work at memorizing it over the next two weeks.

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Psalm 5:11, NIV

I think this is a perfect verse to commit to memory. In the busyness of life, it's easy to forget to rejoice in the protection of our heavenly Father and to take refuge in Him. What a perfect reminder for the next two weeks ... and every week after!

A few days late ...

Since I've been gone for the past week ... and completely unplugged from the rest of the world ... I'm a few days late posting my verse for the next two weeks.

These verses came up several times as we were preparing for our mission trip and while we were there, so I thought it would be good to commit them to memory. I prayed these verses while we were in New York.

How then will they call on them in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"

Romans 10:14-15

Memorizing with a Twist

I asked Hubs to choose a verse for me to memorize this time. He picked a really LONG passage, but we narrowed it down to these two verses. We're going to work on memorizing them together. :)

Is anyone out there still memorizing? It would really encourage me to know what you're working on right now!

All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.

For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.

Psalm 86: 9-10, ESV

Ephesians 5:33

As unbelievable as it is, it's June 1! Can you believe it?! That means a lot of things, but today it means that it's time to choose another verse to memorize.

Over the past few weeks, we have been talking about biblical manhood, biblical womanhood, and biblical marriage at church. The series has been seriously thought-provoking and has led to some interesting discussions in the car, at home, at work, and just about everywhere else I've been over the past three weeks.

The verse I'm choosing is one I underlined in my Bible this past Sunday as we studied marriage and glad submission and sacrificial love.

However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Ephesians 5:33, ESV

I have such a long way to go in this area and am thankful for God's grace in every area of my life!!!

Rejoice

It's time to choose another verse to memorize for the next two weeks. It's hard for me to believe that this is verse number ten for the year! What an amazing testimony of God's faithfulness for the endurance and diligence He has granted me with this "project" this year.

To be honest, I completely forgot that today is the 15th ... hence a day to post another verse. Usually, I start thinking of a new verse and searching for one that stands out a few days before time to post. But ... with everything that's happened in the last few days, I completely forgot.

Because the word I chose for the year was JOY and the previous verse was about REJOICING, I decided that I need another verse about joy/rejoicing. I started searching through Bible Gateway and think this one will be a great one to commit to memory. What a commitment to rejoice in the midst of affliction and distress. May it be so!

I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, 

because you have seen my affliction; 

you have known the distress of my soul.

Psalm 31:7, ESV

Who's still memorizing Scripture this year? What are you working on right now?

Verse 9!

This is a familiar verse ... more like, I'm familiar with the chorus taken from this verse. What a good reminder to rejoice!

This is the day that the LORD has made let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24, ESV

What are you memorizing right now?

Verse 8

It's a little hard for me to believe that we're already eight verses in this year.

Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.

Isaiah 30:18, ESV

Is anybody out there still memorizing Scripture? If you've fallen off the wagon, hop back on with me! If you're still going strong, be encouraged!

What are you memorizing this week?

April 1 = Scripture Memory Time and a Confession

Let me begin with a confession. This month has been a total disaster as far as my Scripture memory is concerned. I got out of the habit while we were on vacation (I forgot my spirals!) and failed miserably at getting back in the swing of things.

Instead of choosing a new verse for the next two weeks, I'm going to do something a little different.

I'm going to meditate on two verses that I've had memorized for a long time.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:105, KJV

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119: 11, NIV

And I'm going to continue memorizing the two verses that I selected for March. I think it's more important that I memorize these verses well than adding another one just because it's the first of the month.

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city."
Acts 18:9-10, NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6, ESV

Is anyone else still memorizing Scripture this year? What verse are you working on right now?

Do not be anxious

I don't know about you, but the Lord has really used the verses I've been memorizing to teach me more and more about His character and to develop mine as well. Plus, just the process of memorizing Scripture is (hopefully) instilling discipline in me.

This is another verse that I've been quite familiar with for a while but never completely committed it to memory. I'm praying that God will bring this verse to mind over and over in the coming days at the slightest hint of anxiousness.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6, ESV

This is how The Message paraphrase says it ...
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.

Don't you love that? Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers ...

May it be so!