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
Karey B.
Justin, TX
For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him. In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them. Hold tightly to the word of life…
Philippians 2:13-16b NLT
Jill from Toronto, Canada
Hebrews 1:9 NIV
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by annointing you with the oil of joy.
Amy, Suffield, CT
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:12 NIV
Sorry I am so late – it’s been one of those times – but this is the perfect verse for this moment – thank you God!
Mary from Alcoa, TN
Psalm 127:2-
It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.
Psalm 127:2 NASB
Jennifer, Tampa, FL
Matthew 22:37 (NIV)
Jesus replied, “Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”
Lisa, Mauldin, SC
The words “it was credited to him: were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness – for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. Romans 4:23-24 NIV
Tonia from Minnesota- The mind of a sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6 NIV
Beth from Mansfield, TX
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV)
Tracy- Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Guard me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. Ps. 17vs.8 NRSV
Amanda M. – Columbus, Ohio, Isaiah 41:13 “For I the Lord your God, hold your right hand, it is I who says to you, ‘Fear not, I am the One who helps you. ‘” ESV
Marcia from Windermere, FL
Hebrews 10:24 NLT
“Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.”
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 1John 3:16 NIV
Look around at the godless nations.
Look long and hard. Brace yourself for a shock.
Something’s about to take place
and you’re going to find it hard to believe.
Habakkuk 1:5 (MSG)
Gay Wilgus, Fenwick Island, Delaware
Issiah 54:17 (NIV)
No weapon forged against you will prevail and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me declares the Lord.
Kimber, Panama City, FL
Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. (Jeremiah 33:3 ESV)
Jamie, Holly Springs, NC
Romans 5:2-4
…And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (NIV)
Loretta
Murrayville, GA
The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
2 Chronicles 16:9 NLT
Mandi, San Angelo TX
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in me.
Psalm 51:10 ESV
Diane
Vinton, La
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
Phil 2:5-6
NIV
Charlotte from Kingwood, Tx
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14
NIV
Kathy, Bear Creek, NC
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.” (NIV)
Kathy, Bear Creek, NC
Jeremiah 17:7
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.” (NIV)
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:5, 6 NIV)
Muskogee, OK
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will
say of The Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:1-2 NIV
Sandy from Washington,
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Phillippians 4:4
Becky, Groesbeck, Tx.
Isaiah 26:3 “You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.” (Amp)
Kelly, Ephrata PA
A person’s steps are directed by the Lord.
How then can anyone understand their own way?
Proverbs 20:24 NIV
Susie, Houston – Psalm 4:8 (NET) – I will lie down and sleep peacefully, for you, LORD, make me safe and secure.
Leslie
Milton, GA
Isaiah 30:15 (NIV)
This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:
“In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,
but you would have none of it.”
Amy from Johns Creek, Georgia. “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.” Psalm 29:2
Jen Evans from Seville Ohio LATE!!!
Be self-controled and alert. Your enemy the devile prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith. 1 Peter 5:8 NIV 1984
Desiree
Douglass, KS
Proverbs 31:25-26
She is clothed in strength and honor,
and she can laugh at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and loving instruction is on her tongue.
The way a sinful person thinks leads to death. But the mind controlled by the Spirit brings life and peace. (Romans 8:6 NIRV)
Amanda from Bedford, TX
“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
2 Timothy 2:1-2
NASB
Connor, Madrid, Spain
Ephesians 2:10 NIV84
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Emily from Glenn Heights, TX
“My dear brothers, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”
-James 1:19 NIV
Katie OKC, OK
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Heb 13:8 NIV
Ps. 139:3 NKJV
You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
Margaret
Coeur d’ Alene, ID
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”
James 2:26 NIV
Dee, Wheaton, IL 2 Corinthians 5:17, We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. (NIV)
Liz, Geismar, LA. “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me becaue the LORD has annointed 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 1984
Newton, KS. Hebrews 12:3 “Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” NIV
Kay, Little Rock, AR:
“So she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing” (El Roi), for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.” Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; it lies between Kadesh and Bered.” Genesis 16: 13-14 (ESV)
Janet/Edmond, OK
“Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 KJV
Becky – Cynthiana –
Colossians 4:2 NIV
Devote yourself to prayer being watchful and thankful.
Charlotte Brown, Seymour, TX “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 4 ESV
Heather for Bethany Connect Group, Raymond, NH
Psalm 18:2 (NIV)
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Cindy, Graceville,FL; Isaiah 43:1 KJV But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
Kathi
Kingwood, Texas
“We love because he first loved us.” -1 John 4:19 (NIV)
Sharon, San Antonio, TX
One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see. John 9:25b NKJV