I started to memorize Scripture verses 45 years ago, using the Navigators Scripture Memory System. The first book I memorized was 1 John. My husband became my memory partner and for the last 10 years we have memorized 7 new verses each week and recite 21 verses to each other every Sunday. In this way I have memorized all the New Testament books with the exception of Revelation.
In Romans 12 Paul urges us to be transformed in our thinking in order to test and approve God’s will for our life. Memorizing and meditating on Scripture transforms my mind by washing out worldly thinking and conforming my mind to the mind of Christ. Memorizing Scripture gives my prayers a Kingdom focus and allows me to pray God’s will with God’s Words.
Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit ‘will give you wisdom and understanding’ (Luke 21:14 ) and He will ‘remind you of everything I (Jesus) have said to you.” (John 14:26). I am thankful when I experience the reality of this promise. Having God’s Word in my heart keeps me ‘prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks the reason for the hope that I have.’ (1 Peter 3:15)
Our grown children and our grandchildren have been encouraged by our example of the value of Bible memory and some of our grandchildren are involved in Local and National Bible Bees. When our children and grandchildren have a birthday I remind them of an idea I learned from Brother Andrew,(God’s Smuggler): memorize the Psalm that corresponds to your age.
Memorizing is difficult for me. I write my verses on 3×5 cards and carry them with me to memorize and review whenever and wherever I am. At the present time I am trying to fix prayers from God’s Word in my mind to constantly review.
As my husband says, “We will keep memorizing Scripture until we find 7 more important things to do.” We are 80 and 81.
My favorite Psalm is Psalm 16. To God be the glory!
Thank you, Shirley! You give me hope for the future!
Please note that Shirley is from Michigan, not PA.
Oh my. Sorry about the state mix-up. I will correct that. Am traveling today but I will fix it eventually.
Thank you Shirley for your truly inspiring example of faithfulness and for the encouragement to continue memorization throughout the years. I want to be like you and consider it an honor to read your story. I have only just started, and am praying for the Lord to redeem the time I could have spent getting His Word in my heart. There is truly no other spiritual discipline that I have practiced that has caused me to grow in my faith and experience the joy of His presence. My delight is in the law of the Lord (Psalm 1) and I can tell, yours has been too. May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you! (Philippians 4:23)
So blessed by God to have been given these two as parents. Thanks for your love and faithful example. Love you, Mom & Dad!
Just love this!! So inspiring!!! Thanks for sharing Shirley!!!
Thanks Shirley, for your story. I so identify with what you said about praying God’s will with His word. The fact that you and your husband are partners in memorization is divine. You and your husband have canceled out another excuse for not remembering scripture.
Shirley,
What an awesome story. I have only been memorizing a couple of years now and realized that there are 63 more books to go. I will keep on pressing on (age 72) until the Lord calls me home. Your testimony is a great encouragement.
Fantastic Shirley! You are an inspiration – to God be the glory. Here are a couple of verses which came to my mind as I read your story:
“How sweet are Your words to my taste!
Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Ps 119:103
For me, your whole story just affirmed what the Psalmist wrote.
Then,
“I am fearfully and wonderfully made” from Ps 139 – is the human brain not amazing that you have been able to commit so many of God’s words to memory? Of course, I know it’s the doing of what you have learned that’s the difficult bit.
Awesome!
Shirley, what an inspiration you are! Thank you so much sharing your story with us and helping us to see that one by one, the verses of God’s word can really fill up a person’s heart and mind and transform us. I just told my husband about your memorizing all of the New Testament except for Revelation. We both were astounded! His words were “Good Lord!” and my response was “yes, Good Lord! That is the only way she could have done it was with the help of the Good Lord!”.
Shirley,
I know most of my 72 verses from the Navigators class (30 years ago) and both my husband and I carry our verse packets with us and review them when we are traveling or have some extra time. They are invaluable and come to mind often. And I have memorized a few chapters, but not a whole book. I am encouraged by your memory work and that you will memorized the Word forever! Praise God!
Glenda Thurber,
Thank you for your encouragement! I am new to Bible memory and have been discouraged about my lack of progress. I will try again. Must check into the system you mentioned.
Hi Shirley. Thank you for your story, it is definitely an encouragement, especially as we gear up for the start of another summer of Bible Bee. I have enjoyed learning verses with all of the families involved and your words inspire to keep at it all year long. Thanks for being an example of faithfulness. Have a great summer!
Shirley, what a fantastic example you are setting for us! I took early retirement and just started memorizing 52 key passages in the Bible. I will take a break to do Haggai in July and August. Then I hope to finish the key passages and begin doing chapters. Thank you for your encouragement. God bless you and your husband!
I stand in awe of all you have memorized and thank God for the TRUTH that you and Arnie have sown in our lives through your words and actions. It bears ongoing fruit! I’m off to the dollar store to buy some note cards and get more organized for my “transformation!”! I want to live Philippians 4:8 like you do!!
Thank you for sharing your story,Mom. I feel blessed that I get to be part of your family. I couldn’t ask for better in-laws. I stand amazed at all you have memorized too. Truly a blessing.
What an example Shirley! I have been memorizing and meditating daily since January this year and it has been such a blessing. My desire is to continue the rest of my life that God gives me the physical ability to and you are an inspiration that will help spur me on!