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
Karen, Christy, Cheryl A Cord of three Strands
Jay, OK
So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Jennifer, Huntsville: “He has made it clear to you, mortal man, what is good and what the LORD is requiring from you — to act with justice, to treasure the LORD’s gracious love, and to walk humbly in the company of your God.” – Micah 6:8, International Standard Version
Jennifer, Ardmore AL. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live. Deuteronomy 8:13 KJV
Michelle, Windermere, FL
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)
Lee Patterson
Columbia, SC
Psalms 119:81 (ESV)
My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.
MacKenzie, St Louis
A gentle answer turns away wrath but harsh words stir up angre. Proberbs 15:1
Sarah Spencer, Marion, KS
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12, ESV
Ramona, Medina, Ohio
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
You will keep in perfect peace
them whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Katie Davila, Tomball, TX
But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, or you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.
Psalm 59:16-17
So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory. In your generous love I am really living at last! My lips praise like fountains. I bless you every time I take a breath; my arms wave like banners of praise to you. Psalm 63:2-4 The Message
St. Louis, Mo.
Sharon, Pontotoc, MS
But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit
For the common good. 1Cor. 12.7 NASB
Kristin, Winnsboro, Texas
“Do not be conformed in this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 HCSB
Rachel from Harrisonburg, Va:
As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven. He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
Psalm 18:30 (NKJ)
Amanda W. Blanchard, OK
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:25 (ESV)
McKenzie Ellis
Portsmouth,Oh
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age”
Titus 2:11-12 Niv
Whitney, Nashville, TN
I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”
Psalm 16:2, NIV
“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8 (NIV)
Karen, Cheyenne, WY (I forgot to put my city and state-sorry)
My lips *brim* praises like fountains. Ugh!
Linda Holts Summit, MO
Psalm 63:6 NIV
On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.
Bevra, Midland , Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. (1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV)
Carrie
Tuscaloosa, AL
“Finally brothers and sisters,whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think of these things.”
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Romans 12:12Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. (Romans 12:12 HCSB)
Helen Wall
Crystal City, Manitoba, Canada
that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3 (ESV)
Abby Kaufman
Vacaville CA
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28, NIV
Krista, Eagan MN
Isaiah 48:17-18 NLT
This is what the Lord says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow. Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea.”
Julie, Charleston, WV
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
Luke 11:23 (NIV)
I spread out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land.
Psalms 143:6
NIV
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a. NIV)
Alanna – Frisco, Texas – Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her! (Luke 1:45 NIV)
Kelly, Sandwich,MA
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” James 1:19-20. NIV
Michele from meridian Idaho
Lord. Tell me your ways show me how to live.
Psalm 25 verse 4
Angie W., Allen, TX
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
(Proverbs 15:1 NIV)
Michelle, Bothell, WA, “Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.” Psalm 105:1 NIV
Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16-18. HCSB
Andrea Greeley, CO. My child, pay attention to what I saw. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Proverbs 4:20-22 NLT
“Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 (NIV)
Lindsey from Little Rock, AR
Cami, Murray, KY
“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day f Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 NIV
Romans. 15:13. NIV
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.
Sarah from Brownwood
Sonya, Frisco. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:6-8 (NLT)
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Prov. 4:23 NIV
Denise
Cedar Park, TX
Jenn, Houston
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. Romans 3:5 NKJV
Laura Beth, Jackson, MS
“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples.”
John 15:8, NASB
Kelly from Gunnison, CO
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
NIV
Jackie, Santa Rosa, CA NIV Psalm 95:6-7
Come. let us bow down and worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our maker;
For He is our God
and we are the people of His pasture
the flock under His care.
Today if you hear His voice,
Sarah, Wilmington, DE
Joshua 1:9 NLT
This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discourage. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, oh LOrd my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
February 3, 2013 at 10:00 P.M.
Nampa, ID
James 4:10 (NIV) Humble yourselves
before the Lord and He will lift you up
Also – from January 15, 2013
Proverbs 9:10 (NIV) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Chasity, WA
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV