Verses to memorize? I know, you’re thinking, “But TL, I still don’t have my Christmas decorations put back into the attic. I cannot even think about memorizing Bible verses.”

I know. Me too. But I’m still challenging all of us to give it a go!

When I was choosing verses to share with you, I started with the ones I’ve been meditating on for the past few months as the Lord led me to my word of the year – intentional.

From there, I considered a couple of factors.  First, I wanted verses from both the Old and New Testaments. Second,  I wanted all the verses to speak to an area of my life where I know I want to be more intentional this year.

That led me to these ten verses to memorize in 2018:

Philippians 3:12-14 – Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 43:18-19 – “Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 – So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.

Ephesians 5:15-16 – Pay careful attention, then, to how you live – not as unwise people but as wise – making the most of the time, because the days are evil.

Joshua 1:8-9 – This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Proverbs 14:1 – Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

John 15:16-17 – You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. “This is what I command you: Love one another.”

Psalm 71:5-6 – For you are my hope, Lord God, my confidence from my youth. I have leaned on you from birth; you took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is always about you.

Hebrews 4:14-16 – Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens – Jesus the Son of God – let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

Ezekiel 36:26-27 – I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will place my Spirit within you and cause you to follow my statutes and carefully observe my ordinances.

You’ll note there are only 10 instead of 12 because maybe you, like me, can look at the year ahead on your calendar and see that there will be at least a month or two when you might need some space for simply reflecting. That is 100 percent OK.

You’ll also see I didn’t assign each verse to a set of dates. I’ll be memorizing these in essentially this order, but my encouragement to you is to read through them and choose one to start based on what is resonating in your heart right now. Then choose the next one. It will be fine.

Happy memorizing!