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
Joan B. Greenville, KY
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, PRAY. Let PETITIONS and PRAISES shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s WHOLENESS, everything coming together for GOOD, will come and SETTLE YOU DOWN. It’s wonderful what happens when CHRIST displaces worry at the CENTER of your life.
Philippians 4:6-7 The Message (emphasis added, mine)
Debby, Ellicott City, MD “Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.” James 3:4
Kym, Tulsa, OK
Two this time:
Matt. 6:33
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (NIV84)
Ps. 61:2-3
From the end of the earth I will cry to you, when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. (NKJV)
Sharon, Arlington, TX
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:3 (NIV)
Jen in Exton,PA
Romans 8:31-32 AMPL
31 What then shall we say to all this? If God is for us who
can be against us?
32 He who did not withhold or spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all other things?
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person BY CHANGING THE WAY YOU THINK. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT 🙂
Debbie C, Memphis TN
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matt 6:33 (NIV)
Jessica from Baltimore
Ephesians 4:31-32 “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” ESV
Molly Lawrence, KS
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 NIV
Lea, Athens, GA
At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you; I will rescue the lame and gather those who have been scattered. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they were put to shame.
Zephaniah 3:19
Gina, Chattanooga TN
“Be not wise in your own eyes, fear the LORD, and turn away from evil, It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” Prov. 3:7, 8 ESV
Tracy, Irvine, CA ~ “Commit EVERYTHING you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you”. Psalms 37:5 NLT
Dear friend, listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice. Keep my message in plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by heart! Those who discover these words live, really live; body and soul, they’re bursting with health. Proverbs 4:20-22. The Message
Dutchess of Winterville, NC
O God, you are my God,earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1 NIV84
Natalie-Midland TX
All your children should be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.
Isiah 54:13 NIV
Bath, PA
Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
Psalm 34:5, ESV
Matthew 5:13-16 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father Who is in heaven.” (ESV)
Rosi Lovell Hopkinsville, KY
Romans 8:28 NIV
And we know that in all things
God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
Piper
Hickory, NC
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 (niv)
Ashlie H – Cary, NC
John 15:7-8 (NIV)
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 NIV
“Or don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself. For God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT
Jennifer, Tomball, TX “But He gives greater grace. Therefore, He says: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:7 (HCS)
Christy, Walling, TN
“Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been remembering that land they came from, they would have had opportunity to return. But now aspire to a better land – a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”
Hebrews 11:14-16 HCSB
Joanne Hill Orange, TX
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up.
Ecclesiates 4:10
Jennifer Nicole, Houston, TX
For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.
2 Timothy 1:7, HCSB
Sarah Bowling Green, KY
Colossians 3:16-17 ESV
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Darlene. Yonges Island, SC ” Remember the word to Your servant, Upon You have caused me hope, This is my comfort in affliction, For Your word has given me life.” Pslam 119:49,50
New Kijng James Version
Darlene, Yonges Island, Sc “Remember Your word to Your servant, Upon which You have given me cause to hope, This is my comfort in affliction, For Your word has givene me life.” Pslam 119:49,50 NKJV
coat-tailing this time
Jude 1:3 ESV
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)
Nancy Standiford, Vancouver,WA
Psalm 143:10 (ESV)
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God! Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground!
Lindsey from Temecula, CA
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” – Colossians 1:9-10 (NIV)
Linda – Houston – LPM – John 15:8 (NIV) This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
LK from League City, Texas
Isaiah 43:19
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland. (NIV)
Rhonda, Normal, IL
“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.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Romans 10:17. Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Barbara, Beaumont, Texas. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strenthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
julie, fort lauderdale, fl
“through the lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” lamentations 3:22-23 (NKJV)
Heather H.-Pflugerville, TX
James 1:2-3 NASB
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
Anna in Mobile, AL.
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…”
Isaiah 61:1 NIV ’84
Jill Madison WI
James 1:14-15 NASV
“But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.”
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency5 in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work
2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV
Pam from Round Rock, TX
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency5 in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work
2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV
Nellie, Hudson NC
2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NLT) Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.
Kaydi from Arlington, TX
Psalm 30:5 NET
“For His anger lasts only a brief moment, and His good favor restores one’s life. One may experience sorrow during the night, but joy arrives in the morning.”
Pam, Dublin, VA
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 NIV
Frances, Orange Texas
If any one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up.
Ecclesiastes 4:10
Juliana Handy. Pineville, LA.
And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Rev. 12:11 (ESV)
Becky Wise from The Woodlands, TX
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2 (NIV)
Kirsten, San Francisco
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV)