Welcome back for Part 2. If you are reading this, I assume you are anxiously anticipating the next 25 memory verses on our way to memorizing 100. As a reminder, we already discussed the seven reasons to memorize the Word, but those are certainly worth repeating:

     Seven Reasons to Memorize the Word
        To not sin
        To receive guidance
        To minister and reach others
        To defend myself, especially against the devil
        To use and practice in praise and worship
        To comfort and give me peace
        To draw nearer to my Lord

      Remember also, the purpose of this (now these) book(s) is to motivate and encourage you to memorize the Word. Our goal is to memorize 100 Scriptures. Our secondary purpose is to provide a source of study and devotionals for the owner. The added value we mentioned was to provide a resource for some of the central doctrines of the faith, to dive deeper into understanding some fundamental as well as deeper truths of the Word.

      A brief word on Scripture selection might be appropriate. We do not ever want to be accused of “cherry picking” our favorite verses to memorize or just memorizing the simplest ones. We purposely chose easier Scriptures to memorize early on to help you see that it isn’t as hard as we sometimes think it is. However, as we go into the next twenty five verses, you might find them a bit more challenging.

      I hope it is apparent that I spend lots of time seeking the right Scripture to memorize next. I spend time in prayer and often feel the Lord directing me about which one to choose next. I also have memory verses that I have memorized over many years past that have been used to guide me along the way of my walk with the Lord. Sometimes, that makes those Scriptures more challenging to memorize.

      I will suggest some verses now in volume 2 that might be longer and more demanding for you to memorize. I do that mostly because they have become so important to me for many years. I have preached several of these truths because they are vital, timely and essential to our walk in the faith.

      I’m not saying that all Scripture isn’t vital, timely and essential. But you have to agree that “There is therefore no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.” (Rom 8:1) might be far more important for us to memorize than “A horse is a vain thing for safety.” (Ps 33:17)

      In another direction, I hope you are finding the listing of our verses in different versions to be challenging and instructive. I have already admitted that I personally have memorized most verses in King James. That often makes it difficult to use them or quote them with different versions. But I know that many of our readers express their preference to use other versions than King James. And, sometimes, reading a Scripture in a different version can give us greater understanding about the verse’s context…and that is a good thing.

      I would never demand that you use one version over another. However, I would ask you to keep an open mind and maintain grace toward me if I suggest certain problems with some of the other versions. Don’t be offended. Just pray about it (and pray for me if you feel led) to see what the Holy Spirit might say to you about those opinions. Don’t back down from the challenge of knowing the Word better and knowing how it got to us in our native tongue. I think you will be better off for it.

      Having said those things, let’s dive into the challenge once again. Keep our eyes on the goal. We want to memorize 100 Scriptures when we finish. But more importantly, we also want to “hide them in our heart” so they become a dear and important part of how we live our lives. Like a coach at half time, let me tell you, “YOU CAN DO THIS!” God bless you as you “press toward the mark” that the Lord has given us!

     God bless,

         Dave