Hey, Everybody! Welcome to Verse 3! One month down, only eleven more to go! I say that with a grin because I don’t want it to fly by. There are stressful aspects to what we’re doing here on our team because victory is labor intensive and demands focus and discipline. You can’t really cheat at your memory work. I mean, either we take the time for the constant repetition until it’s embedded underneath that skull of ours or we don’t. But, at the same time, it’s also rejuvenating, don’t you think? And fun? And, admit it, the team aspect of it is glorious.
In fact, I hope God is using this whole process to bring some of you back to life. I’m picturing all of us women like that valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37. Scattered in that broad dell of ours are skeletons of dead-tired, depleted girls from all over the United States and in at least a half dozen other countries. Thousands of us. The breath of God’s words falling on us, rattling our bones, wrapping us with new wine skins, filling our lungs, and beginning to raise us to our feet: a mighty army brandishing Swords. (Eph. 6:17) We use these swords to battle darkness and not one another. We are not Peter who, in an impulsive fury, left poor Malchus with one less ear in John 18:10. There they were, in the most critical moment in human history thus far and Jesus had to stop what He was doing and stick the man’s ear back on the side of his head. (Luke 22:51) Enough of this! Jesus commanded. The people around us who we are called to reach and serve in Christ’s name are not drawn to weapons and shredders but they are indeed drawn to courage and valiance and gracious strength. A well-trained soldier knows who his enemy is and who his enemy is not.
I’m looking forward to your verses! I am starting some memory work out of the one-chapter book of Jude today. I find this verse fascinating because the inspired penman really meant to write his audience about one thing when God sidetracked him to another. These dimensions of divine inspiration make my mind spin. I love thinking about it. Here goes mine:
Beth, Houston. Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. Jude 1:3 (ESV)
Contend for the faith. Lord, show us, teach us, equip us, fill us, and anoint us with holy affection, sound minds and doctrine to contend for the faith. Show us how to fight for our faith without wounding and scarring the people we were called to influence in the process. This can get tricky. Show us how it’s done.
I’m honored to serve you, Sisters, and to draw swords with you in this battle against the blackest darkness. Built up in Christ by the breath of the Spirit, focused and deliberate, we can be a mighty army.
OK, let’s have it. Your names, cities, verses, references, and translations.
Live and love well out there today, you hear?
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Luke 24:45
New International Version (NIV)
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.” Acts 16:31 (NIV)
Ann, Morelia, Mexico “who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.”Psalm 103:5 NIV
“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.”John 15:3 NIV
Kelly, The Hills, Tx. Teach me to number my days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NIV
Gina Tompkins, Tulsa OK It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. Psalm 92:1,2 NIV
“Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
James 1:27 (NIV)
Lindsay Garlington-Bend, Oregon
“Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
James 1:27 (NIV)
Sarah Vint
Ames, IA
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. –Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Jadee Carins
Gold Coast, Australia
‘And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:14 NIV
Laura R., Gonzales, LA
“may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” Eph 3:18 NIV
For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, He is guilty of all. James 2:10 NKJV
Paulette, Ramstein
Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
1 Thess 3:5 NKJV
2 Thess 3:5
Psalm 105:4 Look to The Lord and his strength, seek his face always.
Philippians 4:4 NKJV
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
Barbara in Tomball, TX:
This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” Ezekiel 36:26,27 (NIV)
Kendall. Atlanta. For God has not given [me] a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT