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
Romans 7:4 “Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.”
Bekah
Lexington Park, MD
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.
Ephesians 3:16-17a
NIV ’84
Greenville, SC
Colossians 3:13 NIV
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Kim, Huffman, TX. “Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16, NASB).
Kathi from Enid, Oklahoma
Psalm 146:5
Blesed is he whose HELP is the God of Jacob, whose HOPE is in the Lord his God (NIV)
He’s my HELP and my HOPE!!
Alicia ~ Rome, GA
… I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13 NASB)
Rebecca
Sevierville, TN
If I should say, “My foot has slipped,” Your lovingkindness, O LORD, will hold me up.
Psalm 94:18 NASB
Tamarah…Wallowa, Oregon. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2. NIV
Mary Gage;Richmond, Tx
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
Jodi Alley – Humble, TX
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 NJKV
Melissa Irving, Tx
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Myra, Johnson City, TN
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.
Jan- Charlotte, NC The Message
Romans 12: 1-2
” So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life–your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking around life–and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you if the best thing you can do for Him. Don’t become so well-adjusted with your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity. God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”
Lori, Tupelo, MS
I Love You, Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God,
my mountain where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:1-2 (HCSB)
Lendi
Humble, TX
You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.
Psalm 18:28
(NIV)
1 Corinthians 13:6 (NIV)
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
The Eungard family
Brad, Gwen, Adam, Eleanor, Amelia, and Owen
Schweinfurt, Germany
Amberly, Hesperia, CA “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40 NIV84)
Susan~Oak Grove, Alabama
The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 NIV 1984
Tara
Columbia, SC
NIV
Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up.
James 4:10
Heather, Richland, WA.
Hebrews 12:28-29 (NIV)
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
Peggy, Cheyenne, WY
“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 wilderness and streams in the wasteland” Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
Claire, Houston. In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5 NIV
Meredith, Bentonville, AR. The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still. Exodus 14:14 NIV
Spring, TX
Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.
II Timothy 2:15 (NET)
Melissa Emma, Scarborough, Maine:
“For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.” Matthew 12:34 NLT
Katie Davis – Tifton, Ga
And He said to man, ‘The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding’ Job 28:28
Isaiah 50:3-4 NIV
covering.” [4] The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed
Laurie, VA
Maggie from Naperville, IL says: “You lead me in the path of life; I experience absolute joy in your presence; you always give me sheer delight.” Psalm 16:11 (NET)
Kelli CO – I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 NKJV
Barb
Highlands Ranch
“But God showed His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 NIV
Elizabeth, Castle Rock, CO
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”
2 Cor 4:16-17, ESV
Carrie, Pueblo CO
“Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 NLT
(orig posted before 6:45 2/1/13; ? not posted)
Joanna K
Salinas, CA
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you…Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you. 2 Chronicles 20:17 (NIV)
Alaina
Tyler, TX
“Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ”
Gal. 6:9 NIV
Sharon
Harrisburg, PA
So do not fear, for I am with you
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
The Lord’s word is flawless;
He shields all who take refuge in Him;
For who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock except our God?
Psalms 18:30-31 NIV
Julie
Dallas, Ga
” You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart – Jeremiah 29:13
Niv
Nancy-Meidian, Idaho
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
1John 5:14 NIV
Now,I commit you to God and to the word of his grace which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Acts 21:32
Kae
Jacksonville
Brooke McGill – Houston, TX
1 Thessalonians 2: 6-8
We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well. NIV
Marie; Manchester, ME
“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes — Jews frist and also Gentiles.
Romans 1:16 (NLT)
Kristi- Telford, PA For I decided to concentrate only on Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. I Cor. 2:2 NLT/Life Recovery Bible
Courtney, Charleston, South Carolina; “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.” Luke 6:35, NRSV
Natie, Charlotte, NC:
The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord.
Psalm 45:11 NIV
Jennifer Kirkes, Denham Springs, LA
“Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; One will come from you to be ruler over Israel for Me. His origin is from antiquity, from eternity.” Micah 5:2, HCSB
Tiffany Feathers, Murfreesboro, TN
Romans 15:13 NIV
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you many overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Angie
Anniston, Alabama
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.”
Hebrews 10:35-36, NIV
Shelley
Frisco, TX
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NIV
Angel
Murfreesboro, TN
“Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up.”
I Corinthians 13:7 GW