Encouragement and Tools to Abide in God's Word
How’s your memory?
Are there any Bible verses you’re trying to store there? We’d love to hear about your experience!
Please link your blog posts or videos here. To our John 1 memorizers, now would be a great time to do a vlog, hint, hint.
If you’re not currently memorizing anything, please consider visiting a link or two to encourage those who are. We’ll be here all month. Thanks!
It’s time to pull out your keyboard or video camera.
Write a post on your blog about scripture memory or film yourself reciting verses you’ve been learning.
Then join us back here on Wednesday, May 2, to link your post and encourage others.
We’ll look forward to what YOU have to share about memorizing the Bible!
Are you ready to grow more of God’s Word in your heart?
One way to ensure a better harvest is to prepare before you plant. Download any or all of these free resources and get ready to memorize.
But whether you’ll be memorizing with us or not, would you consider leaving a short prayer or message of encouragement in the comments for all who will be memorizing John 1:1-14 during the 50 days between Easter and Pentecost Sunday? Thanks!
Week 1 April 8-14 John 1:1-2
Week 2 April 15-21 John 1:3-4
Week 3 April 22-28 John 1:5-6
Week 4 April 29-May5 John 1:7-8
Week 5 May 6-May 12 John 1:9-10
Week 6 May 13-May 19 John 1:11-12
Week 7 May 20-May 27 John 1:13-14
The entire text on one sheet. Use as is, or cut into 3×5 cards and place them anywhere your eyes frequent.
Some studies suggest recalling data from a minimal amount of cues can boost retention. Use this sheet (or cut into cards) as an additional way to practice the verses from the first letter of each word.
In your car or iPod or headphones, listen to this mp3 clip of verses 1-14 from Bible Gateway, read by Max McLean. (If you’d like, you can receive free audio of the entire gospel of John.)
Note: This recording does not include the verse numbers. If you make or find a recording that does, please tell us about it in the comments. It’s helpful to learn the numbers with the words.
Click on the small picture that best matches your screen size. In the new window, right click on the enlarged image to either “Save Image As…” or “Set as Desktop Background.”
Congratulations if you memorized all or even part of Romans 8 with us! I pray you were blessed by your time in the Word. Link up here on April 3 with a post on your blog or comments about your experience.
And now…
Want to connect more with Jesus during the 50 days between Easter and Pentecost Sunday?
Join us for a short, low-pressure memory challenge. For seven weeks, we’ll learn two new verses a week, getting to the heart of who Jesus is and what He came to do.
We’ll provide resources, starting next week, from the English Standard Version–printable sheets for the schedule, text, first letters, and more. But of course you’re free to memorize in your own favorite version. Check out these general memory resources available now.
If you’re on Facebook, join our NEW Hide His Word group. It’s open to anyone memorizing ANY scripture at any time. We’ll provide tools and ongoing support for all who are on a lifelong journey of hiding God’s Word in their hearts.
Invite your friends to join us, too. If you tweet, use the hashtag #HideHisWord. I’ll be tweeting this:
I’m memorizing 14 verses in John 1 with @DoNotDepart. Join me? http://bit.ly/GItFXK #HideHisWord
May God be glorified through His Word in us!
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
Full schedule and resources…coming soon!
What have you been memorizing?We’d love to hear about it. Your journey in scripture, one heart verse at a time, will encourage both those new to memorization as well as seasoned veterans who still love hearing the joys of Hiding His Word in our hearts.
I was spurred on to memorize more when I heard a lady at my church quoting scripture in a Bible class. I knew preachers did that, but hearing it from another woman fascinated me.
If she could do it, why couldn’t I? Why can’t you? It’s not easy, but it’s a blessing. The more you learn, the more you want to learn.
Now I’m decorating with it. In my Sunday class, we each embellish a portion of the wall with what defines us. I’ve bordered my area with first letters from Romans 8.
So will you link up below? Share a blog post or a video about YOUR memorizations, either current or from the past. Grab a button here. Then visit a few other links. Come back anytime in March to add more.
You might also leave a comment about your successes or struggles with memorizing. Let’s proclaim together that we value God’s written words about the living Word.
Heather’s “Top 10 iPhone Apps for Spiritual Growth” post was great, but I am an Android user. (I did send it to all my iPhone-owning family members and friends who found the post useful though.)
So, below you will find some Droid apps that I have found to be helpful for my spiritual growth. (Some are the same as on iPhone, but links are to Android apps.)
1. YouVersion Bible (FREE)
*Read/listen to the Bible with over 150 Bible versions and almost 200 Bible reading plans to help you read the Bible and track your progress.
*Easily search the Bible for either a reference or a keyword.
*Connect Twitter and Facebook accounts to easily share Bible verses.
*Bookmark your favorite Bible verses and sync them with YouVersion.com.
*Make public or private notes on your bible reading.
2. Daily Bible (FREE)
*Daily Bible Verse with daily notification
*Daily Bible Reading Plan
*Easy & Fast Search any Bible verse or topic: Easily search any verse of any topic.
*Daily Bible devotionals: Choose from a huge list of podcasts. Read or listen from devotions. Save a podcast and listen to it offline.
*Save or share Bible verse or plan or devotions easily on Facebook, Twitter, email, text etc.
3. Logos Bible Software (FREE)
*Thousands of books and tools for Bible study
*Easy to read, verse preview, footnotes, and easy navigation.
*Includes powerful study tools: Passage Guide, Text Comparison, and Bible Word Study.
*When you download the app you get access to all features and more than 30 resources. When you sign up for a free Logos account, you get access to an additional 30 resources as well as access to over 16,000 resources for sale from the Logos and Vyrso libraries.
4. MySword Bible (FREE)
*Multiple off-line Bibles, Commentaries and Dictionaries
*Bible version verse comparison
*Highlighting
*Bookmarks
*Type your personal notes and insights
*Search (concordance) for Bible, Commentaries and Personal notes
*Dictionary, Commentary and Journal/Book picture support
*Paragraph or Verse mode for the Bible view
5. RememberMe Bible Verses Memory (FREE)
*Listen to verses
*Study flashcards and play word puzzles
*Obfuscate a passage and fills in the gaps
*First letter and placeholder methods
*Line by line practice
*Daily reminders
*Flashcard widget for your home screen
*Numerous Bible translations
*More than 100 verses preloaded
6. Fighter Verses ($2.99)
*Over 520 verses included
*Add ANY VERSE using “My Verses” and optionally define topics for topical memory.
*SIX Bible translations – ESV, NIV, NASB, HCSB, KJV, LBLA
*Fill in the blank QUIZ
*SONGS to help you learn verses (ESV only)
*TOPICAL index for topical memory
*Configurable SCHEDULE for weekly memorization
*REMINDERS to memorize daily or weekly
7. Prayer Journal ($0.99)
*Keep a running list of topics that you are praying about
*Share entries or the entire journal with friends (email/text messaging)
*Set notifications to remind you to pray for the topic.
*Upload journal to Google Docs.
*When you feel you have reached an answer to your prayer topic(s), mark them as answered and keep them available for later viewing, to remind yourself of God’s goodness to you in those requests.
8. Prayers to Share (FREE)
*Share your prayers with people around the world
*Pray along with others
*Write out your prayers
*Keep track of those you pray for
*Share your prayers anonymously with others who can pray along on our Social Prayer Network
*…or just keep them private
*Receive inspiration from reading everyone’s prayers
9. Pandora (FREE)
*Personalized radio streams music to your phone.
*Type in the name of a favorite artist, song, or composer and a station will be created to play their music and music like it.
*Here are some of the stations on my Pandora app:
Casting Crowns, Addison Road, Nichole Nordeman,
Chris Tomlin, Hillsong, and Brooke Fraser.
If you use Pandora, what stations do you have for your worship times?
10. 1000 Gifts (FREE)
*Quotes on awaking to the joy-filled power of grace and gratitude at your fingertips … to get you started
*Photo and video stream, texts, and voice recordings of your gifts … to keep you going
*A one-tap option to instantly share captured gifts to Twitter, Facebook, and Flickr … to keep friends and family inspired on their way to their one thousand gifts
Thanks Heather, for reminding me about this one!
11. And I have to sneak one more in here: KLOVE Positive & Encouraging (FREE). Commercial-free contemporary Christian music.
Which apps for spiritual growth would you add to the list?
_______________________________________________
Joyce is a business major turned PreK teacher turned stay-at-home mommy to 2 little girls (ages 5 and 2.5.) She likes to dabble in a little bit of everything, from writing newsletters (for our family and for MOPS) to crafting to trying out new recipes…basically just trying new things.
She loves God, family and friends, date nights, board games, books, and blogging. You can visit her over at Keeping Up with the Moys.
What do you do when you start feeling anxious, troubled, scared? Do you pray? Do you run to a spouse, a friend, a family member?
I wish I could say I always cry out to Him first. But I don’t.
I feel like it’s up to me to fix something, deal with trouble, solve a problem.
But it’s not.
God is always there.
How can I focus every bit of my heart – in every moment of life – on Him first, rather than on worry or “self-sufficiency.” How do I train my heart to seek His shelter rather than scrounge for my own?
A few ways helping me so far (and maybe able to help you?): Store up His Word in our hearts! Seek out verses to memorize, leading to quick recall when those trying times occur. Place His Word first in our hearts over and over and over again so we form a habit of going to Him first.
Here are ten verses I’ve found helpful in getting through hard times:
How does God share what you need through His Word?
Welcome! Many of you are visting from Ann’s and we are so glad you are here! If you are looking for the latest link-up, CLICK HERE. We also have a vibrant community of Scripture memory kindreds on Facebook. We’d love for you to join us!
I have a treat for you today. My friend Kyndall and I have teamed up to bring you Romans 8:1-25. Kyndall has been rockin’ Romans 8, and is pulling this “old fogey” along with her!
Not memorizing Scripture? There are loads of great resources and communities available for you! Here are just a few:
Scripture memorization is an incredibly fruitful way to abide in the Word! It isn’t a race, but an intentional choice to dwell with Him through His Word. So, take the plunge with us, and join in the fun!
Are you memorizing scripture? We want to hear about it! Have a memorization tip to share? Are you stuck and need some help? Let’s chat in the comments!
Leave a comment, or link-up your posts, vlogs, and instagrams. Anything that shares about your Scripture memory journey!
This is a great chance to encourage one another, so be sure to visit and comment on the link before and after yours! Grab some flair for your post, so others can find us!
Psalm 119, James 3, Psalm 1—these are not verses I’ve memorized, but just some of the verses I have (unsuccessfully) attempted to memorize!
I’ve tried the whole memorization thing for years. Each attempt I dove head first, setting aside time every day to read, memorize and review my verses. Each time, I didn’t make it past 5 verses.
After distancing myself from the sting of what I felt was failure, and then doing a bit of research, I have established a four-pronged attack which I have found (finally!) successful in the area of Scripture memorization. (The following is a shortened excerpt from Savoring Living Water: How to have an effective quiet time by Lara Williams and myself.)
Hear it.
We need to hear His Word. In order to have that passage stick into our minds and bury into our hearts, our ears need to hear it over and over again.
I keep the audio version of my current memorization passage on my computer and on my phone. When my hands are busy but my mind is free to listen, I play the track. I listen while I drive. I listen while I clean toilets. I listen while I fold towels. I hear it.
Write it.
Something happens in my brain when my pen hits the paper. Writing things down helps me remember. It helps me remember what I need from the grocery store, and it helps me remember the Scripture I want to memorize.
Each week I take non-‐fancy, white 4×6 index cards and write out my verse or passage. I typically write it four times on four different cards so I can keep them in four different places.
I also like to write out the verse or passage in my journal every morning. Beneath my prayers of repentance and my words of thanksgiving, I write His Word.
Repetition causes remembrance.
See it.
I take those index cards and post them on my fridge, computer, shower door, and car dashboard. They serve as constant reminders of the truths for which my soul desperately thirsts. Seeing the verses imprints His Word upon my mind.
Speak it.
There is power in the spoken word. When we speak our verses out-loud they embed deeper into our hearts. This aspect is absolutely vital to successful memorization.
As I “hear” my verses while I fold the never-ending laundry, I talk with the recording. If it’s a new verse, I say it a half second behind the track. If I know the verse, I say it alongside the audio.
Speaking my verses solidifies the words in my mind and shows where I need to review. Speaking them enables me to remember.
If you find yourself stuck in your scripture memory efforts, try adding a few of these approaches to your routine and see if it helps!
Are you memorizing Scripture? Have you tried hearing it, writing it, and speaking it? What has worked for you? Share your struggles and tips below in the comments!
Written a post this month about scripture memory? Link it up below. We hope you’ll visit some other blogs, be encouraged, and leave some comments along the way!
For more tips and encouragement on how to connect with God through Scripture memory, journalling and personal Bible study, Savoring Living Water is available for immediate download to your computer, Kindle, and Nook. Second edition paperback copies are also available for pre-order, and will be shipped mid-January.
Today is the day! Come and link-up your posts, vlogs and instagrams. Anything that shares your journey to make scripture memory a life-long habit!
In case you missed it, here are three reasons why I encourage you to recite your memory work to others.
Be sure to comment on a few posts, and encourage one another in our pursuit of Hiding His Word in our hearts! If you don’t have a blog, but are memorizing scripture and want to share about it, leave a comment to let us know how things are going, or share tips that have been helpful to you.
Did you have a treasure box when you were a child?
I had a special box just for my rock collection, a plastic box with a bow on top. Even more precious to me was a carved wooden box that had been my grandmother’s. It had a tiny padlock on it, and in this box I kept only my most cherished treasures.
Now I have a special drawer which I fill mostly with letters and pictures from those dearest to me. Sometimes when I am struggling, I will open my drawer and pull out a handful and soak up the love written and drawn just for me.
If you have spent much time here at Do Not Depart, you are surely familiar with this verse:
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (nlt) Psalm 119:11
Many of you have joined in the Hide His Word challenges to memorize scripture. And many of you have dug deep into the Word in bible studies with us.
But did you know that the word translated “hide” doesn’t just imply study and memorization? Some versions actually translate it as “treasure.”
Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You. (nas) Psalm 119:11
I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. (esv) Psalm 119:16
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (esv) Psalm 119:103
The scriptures are a God-sized, holy version of the drawer of precious letters written full of love and encouragement just for me. This treasure is a free offering, given for each one of us, accessible at all times!
Today is Thanksgiving in the United States, and families around the country will be sitting down to share a meal and count their blessings. As believers, we know that we are to joyfully give thanks every day and in all circumstances.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Certainly, one of the greatest blessings and joys for which I am thankful is God’s Word. While I was raised in a Christian home, I didn’t really read and study God’s Word until I was an adult. It is not an exaggeration to say that it completely transformed my life.
As we head into the days after our Thanksgiving holiday, much time and money will be wrapped up in pursuing earthly treasures. Gift shopping has become so deeply a part of our culture at this time of year that we have special names for the days after Thanksgiving… Black Friday… Cyber Monday.
But you and I, children of God, have the privilege and joy of pursuing heavenly treasure.
Let us delight in His Word, and make our hearts eternal treasure boxes!
Many of us, who have been Hiding His Word together, got to meet this past weekend at The Relevant Conference.
Heather, Christine, Lara, Me, Kristi, Stefanie, Kris, and Heather
What a treasure!
Have you written a post this past month about Scripture memory?
Have an instagram to share?
And, of course you know I LOVE VLOGS! Seeing you all reciting what you have learned…a joy!
So, grab a button, link-up, and do some blog-hopping.
I know you’ll be encouraged!
Do you want to memorize scripture, but just don’t think you can do it?
Do you lack a community which brings encouragement to keep going?
Do you need help with knowing how to get started?
We have just the thing for you!
Week 1 November 6th-12th Romans 8:1-2
Week 2 November 13th-19th Romans 8:3-4
Week 3 November 20th-26th Romans 8:5-6
Week 4 November 27th-December 3rd Romans 8:7-9
Week 5 December 4th-10th Romans 8:10 -11
Week 6 December 11th-17th Romans 8:12-13
Week 7 December 18th-24th Romans 8:14-15
Week 8 December 25th-31st Romans 8:16-17
Week 9 January 1st-7th Romans 8:18-19
Week 10 January 8th-14th Romans 8:20-21
Week 11 January 15th-21st Romans 8:22-23
Week 12 January 22nd-28th Romans 8:24-25
Week 13 January 29th-February 4th Romans 8:26-27
Week 14 February 5th-11th Romans 8:28-29
Week 15 February 12th-18th Romans 8:30-31
Week 16 February 19th-25th Romans 8:32-33
Week 17 February 26th-March 3rd Romans 8:34-35
Week 18 March 4th-10th Romans 8:36-37
Week 19 March 11th-17th Romans 8:38-39
This is only a suggested pace. You can go whatever pace works for you. We will be using the ESV and we will be providing LOADS of resources for you (which are coming soon!)
Anyone can join, just leave a comment to let us know you’re in! If you are on Twitter or Facebook, you can help spread the word about the challenge through a tweet or update like this:
I’m on the journey to memorize Romans 8 with @DoNotDepart Join me? http://ow.ly/7eTg4 #HideHisWord
We are excited for all that is to come! Be sure to subscribe to Do Not Depart so you don’t miss out on any of the great resources coming soon!
UPDATE: Be sure to check out the RESOURCES PAGE.
Are you memorizing scripture?
Have you written a post this past month about your progress?
Have you shared any tips which we can all benefit from?
Now’s the time to link them up!
Once a month we provide a chance for you to share about your memorization journey. We want to hear about your successes, failures, tips and encouragement.
So, come, post your heart, stories, Instagrams, and v-logs (kids are welcome, too)! Whatever you have to share about your memorization efforts.
Just leave the link to your post in the linky below and have fun blog-hopping!
I shared last week about my struggle of connecting what I know to what I feel and as I wait for this dark cloud to dissipate. His word gives me hope. I have found particular comfort from the Lord through Psalm 143 and feel a leading to hide these truths in my heart.
I would love for you to join me in the challenge to memorize Psalm 143 in the month of August, 2011! Jumping in with others is a great source of accountability and encouragement to me. So, help a girl out?
I plan to take it at a pace of four verses a week This will take three weeks, leaving some time at the end of the month to solidify it all (and a buffer in case I get behind!) If you choose to join in the challenge, you are welcome to go at any pace you would like.
There are three tools which were invaluable to me when I memorized Philippians:
So, I’ve recorded Psalm 143. I really wanted a recording with the verse numbers stated. This will help tremendously when I want to reference the verse later on. (Please be kind…I am not a professional recording artist!) You are welcome to use these recordings for your personal memorization efforts. Just click on the link to play them. To download them, right click the file and save it to your computer.
I also made up this wallpaper for my computer. Every time I see it I am reminded to review the verses; and it is pretty! (This was a picture from our mission trip to Haiti.) You are welcome to use this wall paper for your own computer, just click on the picture and right-click to save the image.
Here are the “first letters”. I like to print them up and put them in the shower (in a ziploc baggie!) You can read more about how the “first letters” work here.
Here are more tips and suggestions for the journey:
Angie over at Crossway books has agreed to provide a copy of My ABC Bible Verses. We have this book, and love it. My sweet Anna memorizing her first verses using this book. She recited them here (SO cute.) To enter to win your own copy of this book, all you have to do is leave a comment. For extra entries you can do any number of the following:
Be sure to leave a comment for each action you take, to receive the extra entry. The Giveaway will end Friday night at 11pm EST. Giveaway is closed.
Are you memorizing scripture?
Have you written a post this past month about your progress?
Have you shared any tips which we can all benefit from?
Now’s the time to link them up! Just leave the link to your post in the linky below. If you leave a link, be sure to visit at least a few of the other links and leave a comment of encouragement to the others memorizing scripture alongside of you! If you want to use a button in your post you can grab it from the flair page.
I saw this is the #HideHisWord Twitter stream this week, and thought it was fun to know!
Here is more from the #HideHisWord Twitter stream. If you haven’t checked it out yet, we would love for you to join us!
