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
Daphne, Petal, MS
“Blessed are those who mourn, because they will be comforted.”
Matthew 5:4
My memory verse:
Psalm 37:7
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Do not fret when men succeed in their ways or carry out their evil schemes.
I have just started doing this memory verse club or group! Very cool – to keep me accountable! Thank you!!
Chelsey, Troy, MI
Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Galatians 3:2, 3 ESV
Lantana
Norman, OK
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
-Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
Jill from Murfreesboro, TN
Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence. Psalm 42:5 NASB
Amanda Benson, Eagle Butte, SD
2 Peter 1:5-7, NIV
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.”
Kristin from Suwanee, GA
Psalm 103:10-11{NIV}
“…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.”
Tracy McCutchan Allison Park, PA
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.
2 Corinthians 2:14 NIV
Gail, Decatur TX
Psalm 51:3 NIV
For I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me.
Terry, Indianapolis, IN
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
I John 5:4-5 ESV
Kacee, CT
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.
Lawana- Fayetteville, AR. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. (Psalms 119:66 ESV)
Anna S,
Sullivan, MO
“This is what the Lord says, ‘Stand at the crossroads and look, ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.’ ”
Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)
Dianne
Decatur, AR
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, (we will be fearless)
though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
Psalm 46:1-2, NIV
Carrie from Cary, NC: “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” I John 3:18 NET
Shaina B., Columbus, OH
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalm 139:23-24 NLT
Lisa, Simsboro, LA
“You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.” Psalms 139:3 NIV
Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. NIV
Edgerton, MN
2 Corinthians 10:5
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (NIV)
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10 NKJV)
Rene, College Station, TX, “…and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,” Luke 1:47 RSV
Brittney
Lexington, KY
Revelation 21:4 (NLT)
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
Penny ~ Montgomery, AL
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, Who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to His service. 1 Timothy 1:12
Angela
Romans 12:12 NIV Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Kayla from Clinton, MN
Psalm 51:17 NASB
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”
Isaiah 42:23
Who will hear these lessons from the past and see the ruin that awaits you in the future.NLT
Amy, Lawrenceville, GA
Matthew 11:28 NLT
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Misti Wolfe
Carthage, TX
Do everything without complaining or arguing.(NIV)
Philippians 2:14
Kimberly – Houston, TX
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:18-20
Jennifer
Rockwall
John 2:17(NIV)
17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”[a]
Kristina
Ellenton, FL
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2-3 NIV
Kierstan
Portland, Oregon
Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also].
The Amplified Bible
Matthew 16:24
Page, Tucson, AZ
NIV – Psalm 119:11, I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Exodus 15:11 ESV “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you – majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?”
Kristy from Ajax, Ontario:
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Miriam
Granby, CT
Hebrews 10:23-25 (ESV)
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Isaiah 30:18
therefore the Lord will wait that He may be gracious to you, and therefore He will be exalted that He may have mercy on you, for the Lord is a God of justice, blessed are all those who wait for Him
KK Smith
Burleson, TX
“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in Honor”
1 Peter 5:6, NLT
Mendy, South Charleston, WV
Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful. Proverbs 16:20 NLT
Judy — Houston, TX
John 11:25 (HCSB)
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live.
Angela, Houston, TX; Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV) “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything praise worthy, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in Me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Virginia from Elgin, Tx:
“He is your shield and helper
and your glorious sword.
Your enemies will cower before you,
and you will tread on their heights.”
Deut 33:29 NIV
Adara Norcross Ga Psalm 121:1-2 I lift my eyes to the mountains where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord. NIV
Penny Norcross Ga Matthew 6:33-34
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. NIV
Celeste, Land O Lakes, “Blessed is she who has believed tha what the Lord has sail to her will be accomplished. Luke 1:45 NIV.
Renee – Austin
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Philippiians 4:5
Shannon, Birmngham, AL (very late)
For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.
1 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT
Annette Reno, NV
Matthew 6:33 NIV
“But first seek his kingdom and his righteousness and all things will be given to you as well”
Christy
Vidor, TX
Psalm 51:12 (NKJ)
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Mary, Iowa City
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert.” 1 Peter 5:6-7, NIV