- PLEASE READ FIRST : REGARDING MEMORIZATION ...

Tips:

1. Remember your motivation: 

When our Lord tells us in Deuteronomy 6:6-9, “bind them [God’s words] as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.”, in Proverbs 7:2-3 “write them [God’s commandments] on the tablet of your hearts.” and in Colossians 3:16 to “let the word of Christ dwell richly in you” (and elsewhere), He does so that we might be blessed! 

Having the Lord’s word in our hearts and minds means receiving many blessings:  Our minds will be RENEWED (Rom. 12:2); We are KEPT FROM SIN (Ps. 119:11); ARMED with a weapon against the spiritual forces we face (Eph. 6:17) and WASHED (Eph.5:26).  As we behold His glory in His word, we are being TRANSFORMED FROM ONE DEGREE OF GLORY TO ANOTHER (2 Cor. 3:18) that we might more fully enjoy His presence for all eternity.  

(All this involves more than just merely memorizing.  Memorization, along with obedience and praying His word, assists in abiding in His word.   Writing “on the tablets of our hearts” (Proverbs 7:2-3) involves God’s word, given by His Spirit to receptive hearts, becoming part of our heart, our ways and inclinations in tune with His word.)  And, IF we would be His true disciples, we must abide in His word (John 8:31-32).

In dark days ahead, authorities may try to steal books from you, but they will NEVER BE ABLE TO TAKE from you what is written on the tablets of your heart!  And, so the desires of the wicked will not be granted or established in us as we commit this unto Him (Psalm 140: 8,11).  Regardless of darkness around us, our hearts and minds can be full of His light, and the darkness does not overcome the light (John 1:5).

2.  Read, Re-write, recite, recall, review (cards can help) …  Activate on/off the pop-up window of the Bible references to memorize and confirm – this works well on mobile devices as well!  (Though if you are like me, you may prefer using your hard-copy bound Bible.)

3.  Consider building a list that is personal and especially meaningful to you.   In my experience, what the Lord has spoken to me in an exceptionally personal way, is much easier to memorize.  I will share my personal list below.  Don’t be daunted by taking on the challenge of large swaths of God’s word.  So yes, multiple verses, chapters and small books.  The flow of the context can be helpful.   Regardless, if you allow the Lord to etch even a small bit of His word on your heart to lean on, you will be blessed, as the Lord's purpose for that word will succeed - Isaiah 55:11.

4.  Pray the portions of Scripture that you are working on memorizing!  Praying God’s word (that is answering Him regarding what He has spoken) is always a blessing and a means of abiding in His word, but is also helpful in memorizing.

5.  Teach what you are memorizing to your children (or others) and sing them out!  “…teaching and admonishing…singing…” (Col. 3:16)

“Bless the Lord, oh my soul… (Psalm 103).  You will be much blessed!  Grace and peace to you!
- Jim B.

- AN EXAMPLE: TRY PRAYING GOD'S WORD FROM YOUR HEART THROUGHOUT YOUR DAY ... -

I dare not rise out of bed for the day without first earnestly praying Psalm 19:14: “Thank you for this day Father! In this day let the words …”

And, then on my knees beside my bed, humbly petitioning Matthew 6:9-13: “Father…

When impure thoughts or temptations come to me in the day, I strive to immediately shut them down (2 Cor. 10:5) with “No! I belong to Jesus…”: 1 Corinthians 6:20. I remember 1 John 1:9, confessing and forsaking anything I may need.  And quickly add: Psalm 23:3, “Lord, lead me in your paths of righteousness….” 

Psalm 23 is a strengthening staple in many contexts…  I acknowledge that surely, we cannot live bread alone, and I give thanks to the Lord for His provision: Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4. 

Throughout the day, I ask the Lord to help me sort out issues and do a good job with my work, counting of His word and promises I know, counting on Him to give me correct desires (Psalm 37:4) and counting on His help with these (John 15:7). 

Lunch break is a good time during the day to continue in reading, praying and absorbing the next regular portion of God’s word – His nourishment.  Sharing my time with the Lord, from His word within during evenings and while running errands on the weekends always makes the load lighter and brings joy (1 Peter 5:7).  When I see my gray hairs, I thank my Father God for always carrying, saving and sustaining me all my years… Isaiah 46:4 comes to me.

Throughout the day I thank the Lord for His steadfast love, and as night falls His presence is a song in my heart that rises as a prayer to Him: Psalm 42:8.  Oh the delight! … Psalm 36:8-9.

Before sleeping, I set before the Lord those whom He puts on my heart, praise Him and thank Him (Psalm 103 and James 1:17 is on my mind) and bring my cares to Him… then:  Matthew 6:9-13 … “Father….

The above Scriptures are well worth planting in your heart and mind.  The more Scriptures you have at your disposal means more of the Lord’s resources available to you, the stronger your steps will be in overcoming, the more prepared you will be for all, and the more resounding your joy. 

Psalm 23 is an excellent beginning and will bring strength, praise and encouragement from the Lord in myriads of situations.

- GOALS WORTH WRITING ON OUR HEARTS -

ABIDING...  Living in Jesus and Jesus living in me:  John 15: 4-5

 

DENY OURSELVES AND FOLLOW HIM … Mark 8:34; Matt. 10:38-39; Lk. 9:23-24

            Galatians 2:20; Galatians 5:24; Romans 6:6

 

GOD’S WILL REALIZED IN OUR LIVES … Ephesians 5: 17-20

 

LETTING GOD DIRECT OUR PATH …  Proverbs 3: 5-6

 

EXPERIENCE THE REAL, REVEALED GOD … Ephesians 1: 17-19

 

BRING YOUR THOUGHTS CAPTIVE … 2 Corinthians 10:5

 

ALLOWING GOD’S WORD TO WORK IN US … 1 Thessalonians 2:13

            Luke 4:4; Luke 11:28; Rom. 10:17; Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12; Heb. 11:3

 

SEEK GOD AS OUR REFUGE … Psalm 46:1; Psalm 50:15; Psalm 2:12; Ps. 32:8

 

HE IS OUR RIGHTFUL DWELLING PLACE … Psalm 71:3

 

THE LORD IS OUR SATISFACTION, WE WILL NOT ENVY:  Ps. 73:3, 16-17, 25-26

 

REPENT AND SEEK GOD’S FACE … 2 Chronicles 7:14

 

BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS … Galatians 6: 1-10

 

FEAR GOD … Psalm 89:7; Jeremiah 5: 21-29; Galatians 6:7

 

WALK UPRIGHTLY BY HIS GRACE AND BEING … Psalm 84: 11-12

 

DENY OURSELVES AND SEEK HIS CALLING … Luke 9:23; Philippians 3: 13-15

 

SEEK GOD AND FIND HIM … Jeremiah 29:13

 

TRUST GOD EVERY DAY … Psalm 143:8

 

TASTE HIM FOR YOURSELF … Psalm 34:8

 

STAY FOCUSED ON GOD ONLY AS THE SOURCE OF OUR LIFE … Jeremiah 2:13

 

WALK BY HIS SPIRIT … 2 Cor. 3:18; Rom. 8:1; Rom. 8:4; Gal. 5:16; Gal. 5:25

 

FIND TRUE RICHES IN HIM… Rom. 11:33; Rom. 2:4; Eph. 1:7; Eph. 1:18; Eph. 2:7; Eph. 3:16; Phil. 4:19; Col. 2:2

 

BE FOUND ALIVE IN HIM ... Revelation 3: 1-6

 

DRAW NEAR TO GOD … Isaiah 29:13

 

SEEK HIS SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING …  Proverbs 3:5; Isaiah 55: 8-9; Col. 1:9

 

TAKE CARE NOT TO BE SIDE-TRACKED AND DISHONOR GOD … Judges 8:27

 

LET US LOOK TO JESUS AND COME BEFORE OUR FATHER GOD … Heb. 4: 14-16

 

EXPERIENCING GOD … 1 Pet. 2:3; Ps. 34:8; Ps. 91:4; Ps. 18:2; John 6:56; 1 Pet. 2:5

 

ALWAYS TURN TO GOD … Joel 2: 12-13

 

OBEY AND HAVE HIS PEACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS … Isaiah 48:18; Amos 5:24

 

RESPECT AND HONOR WHO HE IS … 1 Chronicles 27:11

 

This list is so incomplete!  Dig into God’s Word… seek for yourself … search as if searching for hidden treasure ... and you will FIND THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD … As He has promised in Proverbs 2: 1-5: 

            “MY SON, … SEARCH FOR IT AS FOR HIDDEN TREASURES, THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THE FEAR OF THE LORD AND FIND THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD.”

- A SAMPLE PERSONAL LIST ... -

Ask the Lord to help you build a personal list to place in your heart – so useful in encouraging believers and unbelievers alike...

 

Psalm 1… “Blessed is…”

 

Psalm 2…  “Why do… Kiss the Son …Blessed are…”

 

Psalm 16… “… in your presence there is fullness of joy…”

 

Psalm 20:7 … “Some trust in chariots…

 

Psalm 22… “My God, my God, why…”

 

Psalm 23… “The LORD is my Shepherd…”

 

Psalm 37:4…  Delight yourself in the LORD,

And He will give you the desires of your heart.

 

Ps.  42:8…

8 By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,

and at night his song is with me,

a prayer to the God of my life.

 

Psalm 103… “Bless the LORD, O my soul…”

 

Psalm 150 … Praise the LORD! … Let everything that has breath…

 

Proverbs 16:3… Commit your work to the LORD,

And your plans will be established.

 

Isa. 40:28-31…

“Have you not known…

 

ISAIAH CHAPTER 53…  Isa. 52:13 - 53: 12…

“Behold, my servant…

 

Jeremiah 15:19 … “If…

 

Matthew 6: 25-34… “Our Father …”

 

John 1: 1-18  “In the beginning was the Word…”

 

John 3 … “Now there was a man…”

Jn. 3: 5-8… “Jesus answered, Truly, truly…”

Jn. 3: 14-21… “And as Moses lifted up…”

Jn. 3: 34-36… “For He whom God has sent…”

 

John 7:37-38… “…. If anyone thirsts…”

 

John 8:12 … “I am the light of the world…”

Jn. 8: 31-32… “IF you abide in my word …”

Jn. 8: 36-37… “So, if the Son sets you free…”

Jn. 8: 51… “If … never see death”

 

John 11: 25-26… “I am the resurrection …”

 

John 14 … “Let not your hearts…”

John 14:6 … “I am the way …”

 

Romans 1: 16-32… “For I am not ashamed…”

 

Romans 5: 1-11… “Therefore, since…”

 

Romans 8

Rom. 8: 1-4… “There is therefore now no condemnation…”

Rom. 8: 9-17… “You, however, are not in the flesh…”

Rom. 8: 26-38 … “Likewise the Spirit helps us…”

 

1 Cor. 13: 1-13 … “If I speak…”

 

2 Cor. 3: 18 … “And we all …

2 Cor. 4 … “Therefore, … we do not lose heart …”

2 Cor 4: 3-7 …  “And even if our gospel… For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts…

 

2 Cor. 4: 14-18 …

“Know that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also…

 

2 Cor. 5: 1 – 6:2 … “For we know…”

2 Cor. 5: 6-7… “So, we are always of good courage…”

2 Cor. 5: 14-15 …  “For the love of Christ controls us…

 

Galatians 1-6 …

 

Eph. 5: 1-10 … “There be imitators of God, …”

Eph. 5:26 “… the washing of water with the word, “

 

Col. 3: 1-4… “If then you have been raised with Christ…

 

Heb. 13: 5-6… “Keep your life free from…

 

1 Pet. 1:23 … “since you have been born again, …”

1 Pet. 2: 1-3 … “So put away…”

1 Pet. 2: 9 …” But you are…”

 

1 Peter 2:24-25 … “He himself…

 

1 John 1-5 …

 

Jude 1 …

 

Revelation 22 …

 

With the Lord’s help, your list will be even better for you.  Our Lord’s word – such a treasure!

- CONTINUING ... -

My hope and prayer is that you are motivated to abide in God’s word and “write on the tablets of your heart” His word to you, building your own personal list to memorize, thereby enriching your relationship with the Lord and being blessed in the manner He desires for us.   

“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! … “– Psalm 34:8

If you are motivated by categorization, there are many topical memory systems and organized lists that you may readily find with only a bit of searching.  

There is an excellent arrangement of key verses to be found by visiting the “All Honor to The King” page and selecting the: “ Discipleship Meditation System ” here at Fresh Acclaim.

Visit a fine list organized for you in some significant categories at the Words Of Faith, Hope, Love website by clicking here.

OR, you may care to download some colorful memory verses provided by CROSSWAY Publishers.

May you be richly blessed and strengthened as God’s Word grows in your heart,

Jim B.