********************************************************************************
I have a question for you. I have always been lousy at quoting scripture. What is 
your opinion of it? I know some abuse it, quoting scripture out of context to suit 
their immediate purpose and that, I know is wrong. But sometimes I feel like a 
failure for not being able to call on the bible from memory when I need it. If I need 
scripture to back something up, I have to spend time researching it in the bible 
before I can come up with something. It's just frustrating to me! I, like everyone 
else have favorite scriptures that are always on my heart. I can quote Psalm 139 
almost completely from memory. "It's my favorite chapter in the bible" ;o) If I can 
remember a whole chapter, "granted, it's a small one", why is it I can't remember 
a verse when I need it? 
*******************************************************************************

Well, the OT confesses "I have to look a lot of them up too!" LOL And another 
problem I have is most of those I've memorized, I memorized as a child in KJV, 
and as I usually use the NIV to teach because it's easier to understand, I have to 
look them up twice! And Psalm 139 is one of my favorites too, but can't quote the 
whole thing... so there ya got me beat!

2 Peter 1:20-21 (NIV) Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of 
Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never 
had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried 
along by the Holy Spirit. 

(Weymouth) First you must understand this. The words from the prophets in the 
holy writings did not come from their own minds. The prophets did not say what 
they wanted to say. But the Holy Spirit made them speak. And they spoke God's 
message. 

I think it is important to try to memorize and familiarize yourself with the Word, 
but the more important thing is to allow the Holy Spirit to quicken it in your heart 
when you need it. If you stress out about trying to remember, sometimes it blocks 
you from hearing the Holy Spirit whispering it in your ear! Of course, it bears 
repeating that you MUST get the Word in you for the Holy Spirit to be able to 
quicken it [make it alive] to you.

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that 
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

(Weymouth) Try to show God that you are a good worker. Do nothing you would 
be ashamed of. Tell the true message in the right way. 

Another thing about quoting scripture is "rightly dividing the Word of truth". 
Quoting a scripture out of context has birthed some pretty strange doctrines. So 
first be SURE that you understand the context before you quote a verse! And be 
sure that your interpretation of that verse/passage is in harmony with other 
places in the Bible where that topic is mentioned.

Hebrews 9:11-15 (NIV) When Christ came as high priest of the good things that 
are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is 
not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by 
means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place 
ONCE FOR ALL by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The 
blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are 
ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. HOW 
MUCH MORE, THEN, WILL THE BLOOD OF CHRIST, who through the eternal 
Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts 
that lead to death [or useless rituals], so that we may serve the living God! For 
this reason CHRIST IS THE MEDIATOR OF A NEW COVENANT, that those 
who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has 
died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first 
covenant. 

And please remember what covenant you are in! I love the Old Testament and 
believe understanding of it enriches the New, but we are in the NEW Covenant 
and must fully understand what that means so that we don't become entangled 
again with the yoke of bondage to legalism!

Psalm 1:2-3 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he 
meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which 
yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does 
prospers. 

As for specifics about memorizing. I've heard all the tricks and hints and none of 
them seem to work for me. I have a visual memory, and can usually remember 
the gist of something and where it is on the page, and then search for the specific 
thought. (OF course, when I get a new Bible formatted differently this method 
kind of backfires). But I find as I read, re-read and meditate on a passage I am 
remembering more and more, including the scripture references, which have 
always been hard for me to recall for some reason.

John 14:26 (NIV)"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in 
my name, will teach you all things and WILL REMIND YOU of everything I have 
said to you."

John 15: 26 (NIV) "When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the 
Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me." 

John 16:13-14 (NIV) "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you 
into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and 
he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what 
is mine and making it known to you."

I'm also depending more and more on the Holy Spirit when I need answers. I 
used to "research the fire out of something" when I needed an answer, and then 
try to make sense of it all. Now I ask the Holy Spirit for answers, and He always 
comes through for me, though usually not immediately. But when He answers, 
He drops the answer into my spirit in an instant, and then as I sit down and begin 
typing out the verses He's given, He gives me the interpretations. Sometimes it's 
knowledge I had received earlier and had forgotten and sometimes it's like a 
word of knowledge - a new understanding of a verse that I've never read or heard 
before.

SO I guess the bottom line is that Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit to be our teacher, 
to bring His teachings to our remembrance, to testify of Jesus, to give us power 
to witness and to guide us into all truth. And that's WHO I depend on to 
understand and remember the Word!

Philippians 4:6-9 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer 
and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of 
God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds 
in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is 
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is 
excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or 
received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of 
peace will be with you. 

I think this passage is a good summary of how I approach memorizing scripture. 
First don’t be anxious about it. Second, ask God for the answers you need. Third, 
let the peace of God guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Fourth, think on 
good things - which means getting the Word into your heart and mind so you can 
meditate on it. And lastly, put into practice what you receive from the Word.

Also there is a good online Bible at Bible Gateway that’s easy to use to look up 
verses, either by reference or by topic (http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?)


*********************************************************************************

All files c1999 Karleen E. Page, All Rights Reserved. ONE copy may be printed 
or copied to your PC for personal use only. Please email karleenp@earthlink.net for any other permissions. Thank You.

Posted at Ask OldTimer www.members.tripod.com/~KarleenP/text/askoldtimer.htm