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
Susan, Lady Lake, FL, “But I will sing of Your strength in the morning, I will sing of Your love, for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.” Psalm 59:16, NIV.
Staci, Dickinson ND
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (NASB)
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
Jessica Belrose Center, TX
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in truth. John 4:24 KJV
April, New Orleans, La. “Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen” Isaiah 32:3 NIV
Robin, Scottsdale, AZ
“Whatever you do, work at it with all you heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
Kimberly, Tuscaloosa, AL:
“So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory,”
Psalms 63:2 MSG
Kerry, Memphis
“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalms 46:10 (ESV)
Susan ~ Kearney, NE ~ I Corinthians 6:12 ~
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—
but not everything is beneficial.
“I have the right to do anything”—
but I will not be mastered by anything.
Tracy~Seminole, Tx
“the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”
Ephesians 1:18 nkjv
Meg.
Palo Alto, CA
Psalm 71:3 (NIV)
Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go…
Gina from Ruston, LA
Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV84) I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Sarah Truman, MN
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NIV
Meredith
Menlo Park, CA
“But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.”
Psalm 5:7 (ESV)
Golden, CO
So get rid of all that is wrong in your life, both inside and outside, and humbly be glad for the wonderful message we have received, for it is able to save our souls as it takes hold of our hearts.
James 1:21 – TLB
Sallie from Tallahassee, fl
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might become the firstborn of many brethren ;
Romans 8:28&29 NAS
Josie TX Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7 NLT
Beth, Oklahoma
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8 NIV
Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.
(Ephesians 5:14)
Atlanta, Ga
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us,
establish the work of our hands for us–
yes, establish the work of our hands.”
Psalm 90:17 NIV
April M, Midland, Tx
When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Deuteronomy 8:10-11 (NIV)
Tami, Mansfield, TX
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV
Debra, Mobile, AL
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. Colossians 2:3-4 (NIV84)
Sharon, Barrington:
“The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.” Psalm 16:5 ESV
Lillian, Vermilion, OH
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
James 1:19-20 NIV
Julie, Easley, SC
Diane – Runnells,IA “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveds to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.” (NASB)
Hi Diane (Runnells, IA
What book and verse is you Week 3 scripture? I have seen it twice today and think it should be my upcoming memory work. It is talking to me. Thanks.
God Bless~
Cameron, Maumee, Ohio Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s sanctuary and that the Spirit of God lives in you? 1Cor. 3:16 HCSB
Alexia
Champaign, IL
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.
Psalm 40:1 NIV
Mary Margaret – Franklin, TN
“I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8 (ESV)
Holly; Ramona, CA; “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two=edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NASB
Deirdre, Suwanee, GA.
“Well done, my good servant! his master replied. Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.” Luke 19:17 (NIV)
Jill, Lexington Park, MD
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Sarah
Wausau, WI
He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins.
Ephesians 1:7 NLT
Betty from Austin, Texas Psalm 25:3 NIV: No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
John 15:7-8 ESV
Oops! Emily, Elk Grove, CA
Camille, San Antonio TX
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13 ESV
Pamela, Canada
1 Timothy 6:19 NIV84
“In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
And provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair! They will be called Oaks of Righteousness, a planting of the Lord forthe display of his splendor! IS 61:3
I need and receive – in Jesus’name!
Cindy, Brooklyn Park MN
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9a (NIV)
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV
Sandra, Rock Hill, SC
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 NIV
Deanna – Safford, AZ
The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 (NIV84)
Stacy, Birmingham, AL. even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love… Eph 1:4 (ESV)
Angie, Aberdeen, SD: He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 (NASB)
Dianna, Lolo, MT
1 Corinthians 13:2. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
Lauren, from Demopolis, AL: “You keep him in PERFECT PEACE, him whose mind is STAYED ON YOU, because he TRUSTS in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an EVERLASTING ROCK.” Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV)
Stephanie from Terre Haute, IN
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
You are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O Lord.
Psalms 139:1-4 NIV
Michelle, Maryville All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Meghan Crowder
Sisters, Or
Blessed is the one who trust in The Lord, whose confidence is in him. Jeremiah 17:7 NIV
I Samuel 16:7 “the LORD does not look at things a man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” NIV