I started scripture memory in July of 2007. I was searching for revival in my spiritual life. God tells us when there is something in Him, that makes Him sick, He will spit it out of His mouth. “So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:16 This is what happened to me. For eight years my bible lay dormant.
“I waited patiently for the Lord and He inclined to me, (that is to make me likely to take a particular course of action) and heard my cry. He brought me out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock, making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.” Psalm 40:1-3
Starting with Psalm 19, it took me three months, to have it applied to my memory. Next was Psalm 139. It took me three months. Now with six months invested in memory, I realized this is something I could do. I just needed to do it. It took devotion.
The word of God is not just milk, but solid food. I was beginning to take in some solid food. I was starting to digest this solid food. So, I kept on eating, dining with Christ.
“The Lord is my portion, I have promised to keep your words.” Psalm 119:57
These are the passages I have memorized:
Psalms 8, 19, 33, 37, 40, 96, 111, 119:1-80, 138, 139, 145
Joshua 1:7-9; Romans 10; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Ephesians 1:18-23; 3:8-12; 6:10-17; Colossians 1:13-20; 2:1-10; 2 Timothy 2:1-7; Hebrews 1:1-4; 5:11-14: 6:1-8;
Revelation 2, 3
Since starting bible memorization, I have remembered about 500 verses. I cannot recall at random all of these verses. I have forgotten more verses than most people know.
It is the relationship that I have with God, through this daily devotion to His word, that is my first love.
The portions of scripture that I want to keep fresh in my mind are recorded on paper. Some are hand written, and some are printed. I have them placed on a clip board. This is my prayer journal. This is how I “pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
When I decided to memorize Joshua 1:7-9 and not just read it, it took on a deeper meaning. God had commanded Joshua to “Only be strong and very courageous. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night.” If we just read the word, it is like smelling a good meal and never dining with it. We would starve if we just smelled food, and did not eat it. Memorizing scripture is how I eat the word.
In conclusion, hear the words of Christ:
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20
I live in the state of Pennsylvania, near the city of Williamsport. Pennsylvania is known as the keystone state. It is my prayer that Pennsylvania, may once again become a keystone for revival in our country. “Remember the word to Your servant in which You have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your word has revived me.” Psalm 119:49,50
Thank you for sharing–I am encouraged!
Bless the Lord O my soul, and all that is within me bless His Holy Name! Bless the Lord O my soul, and “Forget” none of His benefits. Psalm 103:1,2 I am delighted to know you are encouraged. Mike
Michael,
Thanks soo much for sharing your story! As I read it, it is obvious you are a man after God’s heart who desires to walk closely and do His will for His glory and tell others. Thanks for being a strong witness for the Lord Jesus Christ who is coming soon! KEEP ON!
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that brings good tidings, that publishes peace; that brings good tidings of good, that publishes salvation; that says unto Zion, Your God reigns! Isaiah 52:7
“Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.” Psalm 37;3 What better tool to cultivate with than the word of God. Next the harvest. “He will bring forth your righteous as the light and your judgment as the noonday.” Psalm 37:6 KEEP ON, Mike
Michael,
Thank you for sharing your story. It is encouraging. I love the part about how memorization is part of your relationship with our Lord. May God continue to bless you and grow in your relationship with Him. Thank you.
I will extol You my God O King, and I will bless Your name, forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name, forever and ever. Psalm 145:1,2 IT’S ALL ABOUT GOD, Mike
I can so relate to your wise words-and I’m especially glad I read your story this morning because of all your psalms that you have memorized! I am devoting this summer as ‘Summer of the Psalms’ for me! I had already learned about 5 psalms before May but am diving in and have learned 3 new ones in May but didn’t know where to move forward–now I am excited to read the ones you have chosen and see which ones the Lord will inspire me with–maybe I will memorize some of the same! Thanks for sharing!
In my bible Psalm 119 is portioned up in 8 verse segments. I found reference in each segment to Psalm 19: 7,8,9
The law of the Lord; The testimony of the Lord; The precepts of the Lord; The commandment of the Lord; The fear of the Lord; The judgments of the Lord; It was a delight of added richness, as I made my way through the first 10 segments. Hebrews 6:1b “Let us press on to maturity.” Mike
Michael,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. It was encouraging to hear how the your relationship with the Lord has deepened due to memorizing scripture.
Keep at it!
“The hard working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.” 2 Timothy 2:6 The deeper the soil, the deeper the root goes for nutrition to produce a crop. I feel memorization of God’s word deepens our soil. Thanks for your comment, Mike
Michael, thank you for sharing this morning. I can tell you have a heart to know and live God’s Word. Keep it up. Ethan
“I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, or his descendants begging for bread. All day long he is gracious and lends and his descendants are a blessing.” Psalm 37:25,26 Our founding fathers and mothers were excellent examples of what this verse means. His word in my heart, Mike
Michael, your story is SO inspiring! I am riding in a vehicle with 3 other people and read your story aloud to them. After hearing the contrast between your bible laying dormant for years and the richness of consuming God’s word and commiting to memory on a daily basis, the passengers in this vehicle want what you have! Thank you for opening up your life and sharing your experience with us. Keep dining with Christ on his glorious Word!
Thank you for sharing! What an encouragement to hear how living and active God’s Word is in your life!
“Concerning Him we have much to say and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes of milk is not accustomed to righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” Hebrews 5:11-14 Simply remembering, recalling, rehearsing the word of God is meditation. “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:14 Guess what? We found it! Remember the word!
Mike
Michael, Thank you so much for sharing how God is working in your life through Scripture memorization. God’s word keeps us focused on our Savior and His preeminence in all things. Thank you for encouraging us all.
“For the love of Christ controls us. Having concluded this. That one died for all, therefore all died. And He died for all so that they who live, might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died, and rose again on their behalf.” 2 Corinthians 5:14,15
This love is continually nourished when I meditate on the word I have remembered. It is living and active when I am learning a new portion for His word. His word is in my heart so I may pray without ceasing. Mike
Michael, I appreciate your story, especially when you said that memorizing scripture causes it to take on a deeper meaning than reading it. I read the Bible through year after year but do not believe I have been taught, strengthened, admonished and caused to grow spiritually like I have through the practice of memorization. We need the nourishment of God’s Word, in large amounts to grow. Thank you for sharing.
I took one year to read the bible. What I retained was shallow, and left me still searching. It was the Lord who inclined me to start memorization. “I waited patiently for the Lord and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He, set my feet upon a rock, making my footsteps firm. He, put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Psalm 40:1-3 Thanks for sharing your experience. Mike
Hi Michael,
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20 is one of my favorite verses.
You blessed me by the way you write about how God’s word is our daily food.
Thank you for sharing.
Catherine
When Christ taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread”, daily bread is vital for both physical, spiritual, and emotional health. When we open the door to memorization, how blessed we are to His presence. Mike
Michael,
I am not only inspired by your story, but also by reading through all the scriptures you shared in your resonses here! Thank you so much!!
Thanks for your reply. I am currently putting the polishing touches to Psalm 103. I have it down quite well, but now am taking the opportunity to randomly recall and thoroughly digest it. I think I am going to take the Haggai challenge for July and August.
Remember the Word, Mike
So proud of you Mike. I think we will all be thoroughly blessed by the 38 verses in Haggai, short and compact, but there’s a lot in there.
I have been prompted by your book to redeem more time for remembering the word. I took the first portion of Haggai (1:1-6) to work with me. Out loud repeating of these verses, is shaping the truth in my soul.
“The Lord is my portion, I have promised to keep your words.” Psalm 119:57
Wow Mike, I can’t wait to start myself in a few weeks. thanks for getting us ready.