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
Laura, Midland TX, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” – 2nd Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Linda in Corpus Christi
Proverbs 14:30 (NLT)
A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;
jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
Amber, Clarksville, TN
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfullness. Colossians 2:6-7 NIV
Cathy, Houston. For we, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you … 1 Thessalonians 1:4 NIV.
Melissa, Columbus, OH
All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
and great shall be the peace of your children. Is. 54:13 ESV
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Ephesians 6:10, 11 NIV
-Poorna
Arlington, VA
Sheila from Eads, TN James 1:22
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Susan – Statesville, NC
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 (ESV)
Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 (NIV)
Leighanne – Athens, GA
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:13 ESV
Andrea, New Brunswick, Canada
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
Psalm 28:8 (NIV)
Vevay, IN
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me.
Carrie,Cypress, TX
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
New International Version (NIV)
pray continually,give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Staci, Holland, MI
“He does not treat us as our sins deserve, or
repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him.”
Psalm 103:10-11 NIV
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” ~Proverbs 4:23 NIV
I can do all this through Him that gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NIV
Dawn, Silver Spring, MD
Psalm 27:14 (ESV)
Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
Katelyn Chalker
Highland, CA
Jeremiah 2:25 the message
Slow down.take a deep breath. What’s the hurry? Why wear your self out? Just what are you after anyways? But you say,”I can’t help it. I’m addicted to alien gods. I can’t quit.”
Monica, Romans 4:20-21, NIV
Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
Alison, Norman, OK
It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us. ~ 2 Cor 1:21-22
Elizabeth from Bolivar, MO
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:9 NIV
Beth from Mt. Carmel, IL
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy & dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness & patience.” Col 3:12 (NIV84)
Del from Clarksboro NJ: “The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.” Psalm 12:8 (NIV)
Sheila, Beckley, WV Psalm 116:8-9 NIV84 For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
Jackie Marietta, GA. Therefore, I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice – alive, holy, and pleasing to God – which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1 NET
Fort Collins, CO
NIV
James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
Landry, Georgetown, TX
James 4:6 NIV84
But he gives us more grace. That is what scripture says:
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Cindy – Richmond, VA
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Romans 12:12, ESV
Susan – Maynard MA
Psalm 52:1 – NET
Why do you boast about your evil plans, O powerful man? God’s loyal love protects me all day long!
Kim, Detroit Psalm 52:8 ~ But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in Gods unfailing love forever and ever! NIV Standard color
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us. And His love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12 (NIV)
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 NIV
Jolene, omaha: but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. (1 Peter 3:4 NASB)
Mollie from Northwest Arkansas
John 15:8 HCSB
“My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples.”
Shelly, Greenwich OH
Galations 5:1 KJV
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Allison, Greenville SC
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. There is no law against these things.” -Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
Elkins, AR
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:3b NIV1984
From North Carolina: “But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in love.” Psalm 86:15 NIV84
Denise, Longmont, CO
Have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? James 2:4, NASB
Susan – Maynard
Deuteronomy 30:6 NET
The Lord your God will also cleanse your heart and the hearts of your descendants so that you may love him with all your mind and being and so that you may live.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)
Emilie Eaton, IN
“Trust the Lord! Be brave and strong and trust the Lord.” Psalms 27:14 CEV
Heather, Mount Pleasant.
30 As for God, his way is perfect:
The Lord’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
31 For who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock except our God? Psalms 18:30-31 NIV
Megan, Columbia
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 ESV
Kathy, Hendersonville, TN
“For in Christ all the fullness of the Diety lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10 NIV
Patrice in Albuquerque
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Sherri, Abilene. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105:4 NIV
Jeanette, Mansfield, TX –
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58 NASB
“If God is all you have, you have all you need.”
John 14:8
Joanne, Callahan
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shoew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Jeremiah 33:3 KJV