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
Amanda Peters, Steinbach, MB Canada
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
1 Kings 5:4
But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither evil occurence or adversary.
NKJV.
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend
Proverbs 27:17 NLT
Shelly, Rochester, MN
. . . and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you made be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:19 NIV
Lauren, Charlotte NC
“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV)
Mary Wysocki – Snohomish, WA
“Then Jesus called out with a loud voice, “My God my God, why ahve you deserted me.”
Jennifer from Jackson, TN
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Mel, Springdale,AR
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but one of power, love, and self discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
Susan, Littleton, CO. Psalm 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. NIV 2011
Las Vegas, Nevada
Psalm 16:2 MSG
I say to God, “Be my Lord!”
Without you, nothing makes sense.
Christy, Zionsville, IN
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
James 3:17-18, NIV
Barb Rowe, Naples, Fl
“16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealedfrom faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17 NASB
Vanessa, Bremen, GA
Psalm 3:3-4 (The Message)
But you, God, shield me on all sides; You ground my feet, you lift my head high; With all my might I shout up to God, His answers thunder from the holy mountain.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart
Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
Hilary from Langley, BC, Canada, says:
“My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress. I will never be shaken”.
Ps. 62:1-2 (NVV)
Elizabeth – Raleigh, NC
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) ” Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NIV)
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Lala Ball Cooper in Ruston, Louisiana, says:
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
1 John 2:17 KJV
Ann, MN
Galations 5:22-23 But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Abingdon, MD “I sought the Lord, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 34:4 NKJV
Sandi
Duluth, MN
Phil 4:13 (NIV)
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Jodi, Sundown TX. I repeat, be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic, for I, the LORD your God, am with you in all you do. Joshua 1:9 NET
Cody * Houston
“…concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see Me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” John 16:10-11 (ESV)
Kitty from Indianapolis 2 Corinthians 12:9
Be he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, teh gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Eph. 1: 13 & 14 NKJ
Laurie, Mt. Airy, NC
Melissa, Grayson, GA
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:3 NIV
Debbie, Hattiesburg, MS
“And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Matt. 21:22 NKJV
Deanna, Maytown AL Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, till He comes and rains righteousness on you. Hosea 10:12 NKJV
Di, Cowpens, SC
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
II Timothy 1:7 KJV
Deborah, ms
If I speak human or angelic language but do not have love, I am a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal. I Corinthians 13:1 hcsb
Greta, Greenville
My God will use his wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need. Philippians 4:19, NCV
Rachel, Blairsville, GA: “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6, NIV
Elizabeth Kellett in Searcy, Arkansas
“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!!!!” Luke 1:45 NIV84
Lisa.Brisbane.Australia
1 Chronicals 16: 11 Look to the Lord and His strength; seek his face always.
What a challenge to look to God for strenth. My natural instinct is to get a little harder and suck it up while dealing with life. Lord help me to lean on your strength, to seek your face and your will. To REST in you.
Angela from Wilmington, DE
Eccl. 10:17 Blessed is the land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time for strength and not for drunkeness.
Nora, Huntington, WV: 1 Corinthians 13:1 “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” (NLT)
Tina, Cincinnati, OH – John 15:5 – “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (NIV)
Trish-Pamplico, SC
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
Mark 8:36 (NIV)
Anna from Rochester, MN
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
Becky, Fairfax, VA
Jeremiah 31:3: “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”
O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood. Psalm 71:5
Jill Hiner, Akron Ohio
2 Peter 3:18, NIV
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”
Kim D. from Knoxville, TN
“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)
Stacey Clayton, NC
The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord. Psalms 45:11 NIV
Psalm 105:4 (NIV)
Look to the Lord and his strength;seek his face always.
Amy, Maple Grove, MN
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV
Psalm 105:4 (NIV)
Look to the Lord and his strength;seek his face always.
Laurie Tomascik
Richmond, Maine
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.”
Renee Lindsey, Warrior, AL
NIV84
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rhonda
Jonesboro, AR
Jeremiah 29:11
New International Version (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.