52 Verses in 2013!!!

As 2013 draws near, I encourage you to consider memorizing more of God's Word. You may join our challenge of memorizing 52 verses in 2013, but more important than joining any challenge is simply memorizing God's Word!!! 

If you would like to "officially" join our challenge, visit Join the Challenge page.

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If you memorized 52 verses in 2012, we would love to hear from you!! Please leave us a comment . . . and if you have time, include one verse that was special to you in 2012! 

--52 of 52--

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."

Colossians 2:8

What am I following? Do I "buy into" things of men - their reasoning and sayings? Or do I measure everything up to Christ?

One way that I can test the answer to these questions is by asking one more: "What am I spending most of my time in?" If I spend most of my time listening to the world, reading the world's material, watching the world's programs and videos, and talking with worldly friends, my thinking will automatically lean towards philosophies, vain deceit, men's traditions, and the world's rudiments. However, if I spend that time reading God's Word, listening to preachers who preach God's Word, fellowshipping with believers, and embracing things of God, my thinking will automatically lean towards things of Christ. Today I have a choice to make: which path will I choose?

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What is your final verse for 2012?? Please comment and share with us! Also comment and let us know if you were faithful to memorize 52 verses this year!!!

Blessings on year 2013! 

--51 of 52--

One more week left!!!! How many of you have continued this challenge all year? Has it blessed you? If you have a minute, can you share how?? And if you have two minutes, can you invite a friend to join this challenge for 2013?

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"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence if fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (Psalm 16:11)

I am seeing something in young people today that greatly saddens me: the search for worldly pleasures and their desire for me to join them. According to this verse, I need not college to understand the "path of life," I need God. I need not relationships, clothes, or career to give me fullness of joy, I need God's presence. I need not parties, games, movies, and activities to give me pleasure, I need closeness to God. The world (ultimately satan) wants to make us believe that praying to God is boring, a life spent going to church dull, and reading/memorizing God's Word is a chore, but the more time we spend with our Heavenly Father, the more we see the truth of the hymn, "And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace." (Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, by Helen H. Lemmel)

As a new year dawns, may our desire be to grow closer to the Lord and separated from the world.

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What is your 51st verse and how does it speak to you?

--50 of 52--

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As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10)

How many times do I shun doing things for others because . . . they’re not my “favorite” person? Or, I don’t “feel” like it? Or, they don’t “deserve” it? Or {fill in excuse here}? God’s Word often does not give “ifs” with commands. God just commands. “When there’s an opportunity, do good.” But it does not just stop there, God emphasizes that we should make an extra effort to do good to those who are fellow-believers!!

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If you have a moment, share your verse with us!!

There are only a few more weeks! Do you still remember all of your verses? If you are getting a bit rusty on some of them, you might want to review them.

--49 of 52--

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If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him? (Luke 11:13)

This encourages me in prayer. The whole passage (which I did not memorize) goes:

“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” (Luke 11:9-13)

We can rest assuredly that God hears our prayers and will answer in the best way according to His will.

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What is your verse this week? Have you been faithfully reviewing all other verses?

--48 of 52--

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As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him. (Psalm 18:30)

This verse holds three special thoughts.

1) God’s way is perfect

This means what it says. When God allows trials in our life – His way is perfect. When God allows joy and happiness – His way is perfect. When God allows ungodly men to rise in authority – His way is perfect! When God sends rain or drought – His way is perfect! What God allows – is perfect!

2) God’s Word is tried

Tried: refined. We can trust God’s Word as the final authority. We do not have to “explain it away,” we just have to accept it and trust in what It says.

3) God is a buckler for those who trust Him

Buckler: shield. I can trust in God because HE is worthy to be trusted. He will protect me – totally shield me – like no one else can.

Such precious truths all encased in one simple verse!!!

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How has your verse spoken to you this week?

--47 of 52--

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My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless His holy name for ever and ever.

Psalm 145:21

This verse is a wonderful conclusion to the past few verses in Psalm 145 (obviously, as God placed it there!). After memorizing about how God cares for His own, hears our prayers and works righteously, my heart is bubbling over with praise for Him! What a wonderful Lord we serve!!!

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Has your verse helped you in your relationship with God this week? If so, how?
Remember to review your other 46 verses this week!

--46 of 52--

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The LORD preserveth all them that love Him: but all the wicked will He destroy.

Psalm 145:20

Often as girls, we are tempted to fear. What will happen if _________ takes place? What if ________ happens? What if? What if? According to this verse, though, I can have a surge of peace because as a Child of God, He loves me and cares for me. He is watching over me and will not let anything happen to me that is against His will.

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How has your verse spoken to you this week? Take a moment and share it with us!!

--45 of 52--

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He will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them.

Psalm 145:19

Many girls cling to the verse, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (Psalm 37:4) We all like those verses that speak of our desires being fulfilled, but the key isn’t our desires being fulfilled, but what we do. In Psalm 37:4, it is about delighting in God. In Psalm 145:19, it is about fearing God.

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What is your 45th verse??
Do you still remember all of the other 44 verses? If you are rusty on some of them, why not take this week to review and remaster them?

--44 of 52--

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The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. Psalm 145:18 

 I am sure that you have heard the quote which goes something like, “God is only a prayer away.” Verses like Psalm 145:18 remind me that this is true: our Savior is as close as when we whisper a prayer. What a comfort to know that when we sincerely call out to God, He is there for us, listening to our cry, ready to help. 

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How has your verse brought comfort to you? Encouragement? Take a moment and share them with us!!!!

Remember to share the 2013 challenge with friends!

--43 of 52--

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The LORD is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works.

Psalm 145:17

This verse makes me stop and think. God is righteous in ALL (not “some”) of His ways and holy in ALL (not “some”) of His works! God does nothing by accident. He does nothing that is unrighteous or unholy. This is an amazing concept to ponder. When things “go wrong” or situations seem like they cannot get worse, God is there at work – and He is working in righteousness and holiness.

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How has your verse spoken to you this week? Has it challenged you in a particular area in your life? Share a little with us! 

Remember to tell others about the 52-verse challenge for 2013!!!

Ten Weeks to Go . . .

Thank you girls for "hangin' in there" as we've traveled along memorizing 52 verses this year! There are only TEN weeks/verses left!!!! Isn't it amazing how God has used your verses in your life this year?

If this challenge has been a blessing to you, I would like to encourage you to invite two other people to participate in 2013. Begin now by blogging about it and sharing it with your friends. Memorizing 52 verses seems like an immense task to some people who have never committed much of God's Word to memory, but it is an abundant blessing. Please encourage others to join us in this challenge next year.

SHARE OUR BUTTON :

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--42 of 52--

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Thou openest Thine hand and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

Psalm 145:16

How my verse spoke to me:
     This verse "came up" about a year or two ago. The Lord was showing me how He is the only One Who can fulfill me and the only One Who can satisfy me. Many girls try to find this fulfillment and satisfaction in a boyfriend, husband, best friend, job, mission-work, blogging, face-booking, you name it. But the truth is : satisfaction (and fulfillment) comes only by God's hand! He is the ONLY ONE who can truly satisfy.

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How did your verse speak to you?
Take a minute or two and share your verse plus how it specially applies to you.

--41 of 52--

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The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.

Psalm 145:15

Challenge for this week:

     ~Spend at least five minutes meditating (thinking about, processing) your verse

     ~What are some truths that God has shown you through your verse?

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As I memorized and meditated on Psalm 145:15, the truth that stuck out to me was how God provides what we need in due season – not on our time-table, but on His. That is why it is vital to wait on Him. If we grow impatient and take things into our own hands, we might miss out on God’s best – which is coming in due time!

--40 of 52--

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If ye love Me, keep My commandments.

John 14:15

Such a short, simple verse, and yet so powerful! Our love for Jesus is shown in how we keep His commandments. If I say, “I love Jesus,” and yet I turn around and steal, what kind of testimony is that? If I say, “I love Jesus,” but am impatient with and shun my siblings, will others believe what I say?

Our attitude towards keeping God’s commands should not be “just because I have to,” but “because I love Him!”

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What is our verse this week?

Make it a point to review all of your verses this week!

Only twelve weeks to go!!

--39 of 52--

 

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"But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities." 2 Peter 2:10

I memorized this verse after memorizing 2 Peter 2:9 last week. My verse this week has really challenged me. According to 2 Peter 2:9, the people described in this verse will be reserved "unto the day of judgment to be punished." Sadly, this list is seen in many of those who claim to be God's own. Many Christians despise government and speak evil of the dignities. They are presumptuous (daring, audacious) and self-willed (self-pleasing, arrogant). Are we among this list?

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What is your verse this week?
Has it spoken to you or challenged you in any way?

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"The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:" (2 Peter 2:9)

What a comforting verse this is for those of us who are covered by Jesus Christ's blood!!!!

What is your verse this week? Have you found comfort, encouragement, or conviction in it?

--37 of 52--

 

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Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Matthew 23:23

This verse has come often to my mind. I might be wearing dresses, talking "right," and tithing, but I might be neglecting to show Christ's love, to care for those who are not "just like me" and to pray for others' salvation. In my Christian walk, what am I doing and what am I leaving undone? 

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What is your verse this week?

How has it spoken to you?

--36 of 52--

 

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"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

A pastor friend of ours challenged the Bible study group to memorize this verse, so I did. :) This is indeed a beautiful promise that we can hold close to our hearts and share with others!

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What is your memory verse?
Have you continued to review all other 35 verses? If not, consider reviewing them all this week.

--35 of 52--

 

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Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.

And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you.

Leviticus 20:7-8

Questions for the week:
     What does this verse say about you?
     What does this verse say about God?
     What can I learn from this verse?
Comment and answer one or more of these questions!

My answers:
    As a child of God, I have a responsibility to live my life uprightly, clean, holy, and obedient - in other words, to strive to be more and more like Christ. It is a daily choice that I must make. The end of this verse brings comfort: I can trust in God to work in my heart as I strive to live for Him.

--34 of 52--

 

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"But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil." 2 Thessalonians 3:3

This week, I decided to do another word study of my verse. (definitions taken from Strong's Greek Dictionary)

Faithful - "trustworthy, trustful"
Stablish - "to set fast, i.e. (literally) to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or (figuratively) to confirm"
Keep - "to watch, i.e. be on guard, preserve"
Evil - "evil, i.e. derelict, vicious, mischief, malice, guilt, the devil"

This verse gives me such peace. The very first phrase continually encourages me "But the Lord is faithful." It does not matter what I am going through, God is always, always, faithful!!! Not only that, but He is continually watching over me, watching where my feet go and if I seek Him, He will guide my steps in the way that they should go.

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What is your 34th verse and how has it spoken to you this week?

--33 of 52--

 

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Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. John 6:27

What am I doing in this life? Am I busy with clothes, parties, making friends, having a "good time," trying not to stress out, finding a husband, etc.? OR am I studying my Bible, praying, hiding God's Word in my heart, sharing the Gospel, loving others as Christ loves, and doing my all for His glory? This verse really helped me to put some serious thought into the life that I live and what I am doing. Will my works today "burn" or will they last eternally?

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Did your verse for this week make you think? Or was it just a special verse of comfort or encouragement? Share it with us along with your thoughts!

--32 of 52--

 

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“And He said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15

This is a concept that I so often forget: it doesn’t matter what people think about me – it matters what GOD sees. Others can only see the outside of me, but God sees my heart. Outwardly, others see me cheerfully serving; inwardly, God sees the pride of my heart. Outwardly, others may think that I am whole-heartedly following God; inwardly, God sees that I am just acting. It does not matter if men approve of what I do, it matters that God approves.

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How is your verse ministering to you this week?

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“And He said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”

Luke 12:15

Covetousness (one definition: a wrongful desire to possess what God has not ordained you to have; this desire is usually directed at what belongs to another). This is a quality that a believer should not have – and yet, how often do we unconsciously sin against, “Thou shalt not covet?” Covetousness can be a slippery monster that oozes in unconsciously. Whether it is coveting another’s car, house, financial status, figure, style, or even husband, many of us struggle with this sin.

The latter part of this verse challenged me, “a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” That is an interesting thought. It does not matter how much or how little we have – the things that matter are deeper-rooted: our heart, our faith, our trust. Let us not be worried about the outward things that will one day be destroyed. Rather, let our focus be on things of Eternity!! What life really consists of!

~~~

How has your verse challenged you this week?

Are you faithfully reviewing your other thirty verses? It is very easy to memorize a verse for a week, but remember: we are trying to keep all fifty-two verses memorized this year!!!

--30 of 52--

 

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The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

Isaiah 40:8

The one truth that I have heard since birth is that God's Word is eternal. It is unchanging. Nothing in life is as certain as God and His Word. What a blessing it is to cling to such truths!!!

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What is your thirtieth verse?

How has God used it to encourage, strengthen, or challenge you?

--29 of 52--

 

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Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 1 Peter 3:16

This week: Look up at least three words in your verse. Does it help you to understand your verse better?

My answer:
   Conscience – co-perception, moral consciousness
   Speak evil – be a traducer, slander
   Evil-doers – a bad-doer, criminal
   Ashamed – to shame down, disgrace, or put to blush
   Conversation – behavior
(all definitions from Strong’s concordance)

This verse gives an idea of how we should live our lives. As I reread it, I was reminded of a similar command for young women in 1 Timothy 5:14, “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.” If we live our lives uprightly, then the enemy will be unable to successfully find a target for his darts.

~~~
What have you been memorizing this summer?

What has the Lord been teaching you through your verses?

--28 of 52--

 

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But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 1 Peter 3:15

Question for this week:
~What is one (or more!) lesson you’ve learned from this verse?

My answer:
The starting point is sanctification (make holy, purify, or consecrate – Strong’s definition). Next, we are to be ready – a phrase that gives the idea of action: studied up, waiting. Then, if you notice, we are not simply to give our answer, but to do it with meekness (mildness, humility – Strong’s definition) and fear. This is a challenge for us, as God’s children, to be a testimony – a verbal testimony – of what He has done in our lives!!

~~~
Please share your thoughts with your verse!!

I know that summer is generally a busy time for all of you, but I urge you to continue with your memory. Let us not allow the busyness of life distract us from something that will last a life-time!

--27 of 52--

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"I, even I, am the Lord; 

and beside Me there is no Savior."

Isaiah 43:11

This simple, unchanging truth struck me the other day as I was reading my Bible. In the day and age that we live in, what a wonderful Scripture this is to hide in my heart!

Today, we have confused the simplicity of salvation. Instead of trusting in the only One Way (“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6), many have been deceived into following lies. No one can gain eternal life through Ala, Mohammed, Buddha, Mary, works, good morals, strict convictions, sincerity, or other avenues. There is no other Savior besides Jesus Christ our Lord! There is no other way to have salvation except to repent from our sins and accept Him into our hearts!

I beg you: let no one sway you from this simple truth.

~~~

How has your verse spoken to you this week? Please comment and let us know! We are not merely memorizing God’s Word to rattle off like robots, but we are learning and gleaning. :)

--26 of 52--

Guess what? We are half-way there!! Keep pressing on!!!!

 

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For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

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Take the time and consider the following questions for your verse:
     ~What does this verse say about God?
     ~What does this verse say about me?
     ~What is a lesson that I can learn from this verse?
If you would like, choose one (or more!) of the questions and share your answer with us, or simply share whatever God lays on your heart.

Here are my questions:
What does this verse say about God/man?
When I actually stop to consider the difference between God and man, it is incomparable!! Another verse that explains this is 1 Corinthians 1:25: "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." No matter how "wise" our thoughts are, they are still foolish in God's eyes. No matter how "right" our ways are, they are still lower than God's ways.

What lesson can I learn?
If God's ways are SO much higher than mine, and His thoughts SO far above mine, how can I know His thoughts?? Praise the Lord for His Word!!!! By reading His Word I will know His thoughts, by studying His Word, I will know His ways! What a blessing that is!!

--25 of 52--

 

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"Let the wicked forsake his ways and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon."

Isaiah 55:7

Questions for your memory verse this week:

1) What is one aspect of God that is brought out to you by your memory verse?

The two specific characteristics of God mentioned here is His mercy and forgiveness. Where would I be without His abundant mercy and never-ending forgiveness?

2) What is one thought that specifically applies to you?

According to my verse, there is action that must take place. The wicked must forsake his ways and the unrighteous must forsake his thoughts. God's mercy and forgiveness doesn't come to me simply because I say, "I'm sorry," but if I turn around and forsake my former behavior!!

How has your verse ministered to you this week?