When I graduated high school in 2005 my friend Tiffany and I started memorizing chapters of the Bible together. We had never attempted memorizing whole books. I thought that was only for smart or gifted people! Right? Well two summers ago my family and I were on vacation at the beach. While there I heard Nancy Leigh DeMoss interviewing Janet Pope about her book His Word in My Heart on her radio program Revive Our Hearts. This was the first time I had heard someone make memorizing sound so easy and she even made me think that I could memorize a whole book. I knew I would need the support of my scripture partner Tiffany. I thought I would mention the idea to her and just maybe she would say no and I would be off the hook. After sharing the idea with Tiffany I had no such luck. She was good for the challenge!
So, we plunged in with the book of Ephesians. I am a music teacher and I drive to my student’s homes for lessons. I found that I could memorize large portions while driving! I was surprised at how easy it was! Before I knew it I was making rapid progress. I was memorizing faster than I had when memorizing individual chapters. I found that I enjoyed the mental challenge. But, more than anything, I was overwhelmed by the blessing of constantly being in the Word of God!
While memorizing Ephesians I was flooded with gratefulness for my salvation! What a delight to have His Word in your head and in your heart all day! One morning I woke up to a verse from my current chapter going over in my mind. While at a basketball game I had the salvation verses of Ephesians on the tip of my tongue to share with a lost friend.
The more I memorize the more I love it!
I find that God’s Word comes alive as I repeat the verses in my head over and over. I understand things more clearly as I study the whole book through memory ad meditation. The Bible becomes mine when I memorize it. It becomes personal. It’s like a special intimate thing me and God share. I am amazed at the rich insights that pop out at me, and the way God speaks directly to me while I am memorizing!
How encouraging! I have just started memorizing chapters for the first time ever. But maybe someday I will move on to books!
Thanks Susan! What chapters have you memorized? I never thought I would memorize books either! Keep at it! Way to go!! Time spent in God’s word is never wasted!
Hannah, Thank you for sharing the joy you have found in memorizing books of the Bible. You do a beautiful job expressing the amazing joy that comes from being in God’s word so fully.
Thank you for the encouragement Lise!! His word is SO rich!
I love this testimony. It is so encouraging to hear some of the blessings Hannah has received. Wow. She is so young and already so wise. I sure wish I had started at her age.
I wish I had started at her age too!
Praise the Lord!I appreciate the encouragement that I have received from ladies like you! I would not be who I am were it not for the work of the Holy Spirit and the amazing people God has put it my life! thank you!
Hannah, your story has blessed my day! I like how you shared the importance of having a “scripture partner.” My daughter and I are working on The Sermon on the Mount together. Also, I so agree with the memorizing while driving. God’s Word does come alive and become so much more personal through memorization. He does speak to us through His Word, and the more time we spend in it, the more He speaks! You’ve also encouraged me to tackle a book, maybe after this current commitment. Thank you for sharing your story!
Wonderful Vickie! I am so blessed by your comment!! That is SO neat that you and your daughter are memorizing together!! Isn’t it fun to discuss the insights your receive with each other? You should definitely go for a book! I think you will be surprised at how easy it is and how quickly you will progress when you have the challenge of a whole book encouraging you! You will enjoy memorizing/studying the whole book in context! Thanks for the encouragement!
Hi Community, I wanted to let everyone know that after today I’ve run out of stories for Share-Your-Story Fridays. If anyone would like to share their story about memorizing Scripture, email me janet@janetpope.org and I will email you the simple guidelines.
So encouraging! Both your story and your age!
Thanks Barbara!
🙂 Thanks Jane! Do you have a musical background too? God is good! Thanks for sharing Phil 4:4!
What a joy to read your story! Thank you for sharing the delight that the Lord is giving you in being in His Word–all day and even as you wake up in the morning!
Thanks Shari! I am so glad you enjoyed my story! Your comment is an encouragement to me!!
Wow Hannah!! You’re certainly obeying Phil 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice!” Your testimony just sounds as though you’re skipping and dancing through God’s Word; maybe your musical background! Love it:)
Thank you Hannah for the encouragement! I have been away from my memorization for a few months and reading your testimony reminds me that I miss having the Word continually in my mind. It’s time to take up the sword again and get practicing. 🙂 Thanks for spurring me on!
That’s right Kelly!! Go for it! 🙂 thanks for your encouragement!!
To my sweet and Godly stand partner, memorizing books of the Bible are wonderful. I love memorizing verses. I know the Lord would love and help me with a whole book. Now I need to just start. God is working in my life every min. of every day. I love the relationship I have with him. Thanks for your encouraging message.
Love you in Christ