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
Cynthia
Brentwood, TN
“Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.”
Phil. 2:3
HCSB
Carol Bruntlett
Albuquerque. NM
Isaiah 30:21 NIV
21- Weather you turn to the right or to the left your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, This is the way walk in it
Jenny, Branson,MO 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)
Jill, Bozeman
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
John 15:8
Lori, Syracuse
Galatians 6:14 (nasb)
But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Tara, Loganville, GA
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. Col. 3:23-24 NLT
Karen, Beech Island, SC
“Let my mouth be filled with Your praise
and with Your glory all the day”
Psalm 71:8 (NKJV)
Peggy, Tucson, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Rom 12: 14&15 NAS
Nikki, Lima Ohio, All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13 ESV
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 (NIV84)
Katherine, Baltimore: Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ESV
Janet
Charleston, SC
Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.
1 Peter 5:8
New Living Translation
Sarah, Christina and Esther May, Wenatchee
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.
James 3:3 NIV
Ellie Richardson, Newton, Iowa -The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my strength, in whom I will trust 😉 my buckler,
and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psalms 18:2 KJV
My name is Karen from Indianapolis, IN
Isaiah 44:3 NIV
For I will pour water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessings on your descendants.
Jeri, Lynchburg, VA. John 15:8. NIV84 “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
Fay, Ozark, MO
Lamentations 3:21-24 NIV84
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
Susie from McKinney, TX
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV
Sophie – Birmingham, AL – “He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me.” – 2 Samuel 22:20, NIV84
Tammy Massirer, Crawford, TX. “Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100:3 (NIV)
Muscle Shoals
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
Lori, Atlanta, Georgia
For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. (1 John 2:16 ESV)
Carol, Naperville Numbers 6:24
May the Lord bless you and protect you. (NLT)
Peggy, Corpus Christi TX
The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. Matthew 7:25 (HCSB)
Brandy McCombs. Jay. OK. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4. NIV
Linda Francia, Mobile,AL
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the hravenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 NIV
Megan, Salisbury MD. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2 NASB
Mindy from Austin, TX, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but give us power, love, andd self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7, NIV.
April Weatherspoon
West Palm Beach
James 1:6-8 (ESV)
“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),
Ephesians 6:2 ESV
Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 3:7-8.5 NKJV
Joanne, Bremerton, WA
Galatians 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. NIV
Jill, Searcy, AR “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.” John 15:5 NIV
Meredith from Holly Ridge, NC
Proverbs 5:18 NLT- “Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you…”
michelle
woodstock, vt
Psalm 91:2 NLT
This I declare of the LORD:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
He is my God, and I am trusting Him.
(amen!)
Cheryl, Titusville
“And everyone who has left houses, brothers or sisters, father or mother, children, or fields because of My name will receive 100 times more and will inherit eternal life.” Matthew 19:29 (HCSB)
Erin, Denison, TX
You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don’t see him, yet you trust him—with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you’ll get what you’re looking forward to: total salvation.
1 Peter 1:8-9 (MSG)
Katie, Keller Tx
“According to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” Philippians 1:20 NASB
Jackie Carson – Newton, Iowa.
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness” Proverbs 31:25-26 NLT
Nicole, Sturgis, MS:
11. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 12. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God.
1 Corinthians 2:11-12 NASB
Ally, Searcy AR “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humililty consider others better than yourselves.” Phil. 2:3 NIV
Linda from Birmingham, AL
“All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace.” Isaiah 54:13. (NIV)
Diera – Austin
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV
Tonya from Houston. Challenging myself with a term I don’t fully understand so I can also learn about what a Just God looks like. “I will thank the Lord because he is just; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High” Psalm 7:17
Cindi, Orange TX. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 NLT
Megan from San Diego
“A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” Proverbs 29:11 NIV
Debbie, Muskogee OK
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
Michele, Cumming, GA
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called, what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his holy people.
Ephesians 1:10 NLT
Leigh, Woodway, TX I will pour water for thirsty people, and streams will flow through the desert. I will pour my Spirit on your children, and I will bless your family. Isaiah 44:3 (ERV)
Gina, Red Deer, AB
“I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”
Mark 11:24 NLT