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
Bethany in Katy, TX “His mouth is full of sweetness, and he is wholly desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend.” Song of Solomon 5:16 NASB
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live” Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Stephanie Beattie, Sugar Grove, IL. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10 NIV)
Sarah Chocowinity NC
Praise the Lord all you nations; extol Him all you peoples. For great is His love toward us and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.
Psalm 117
Robin
Ardmore, OK
“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”
Luke 1:45 NIV
Lynzie
Conway, AR
And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15 (ESV)
Now Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
I Timothy 6:6-10 NKJV
Cheryl Williams
Little Rock, Arkansas
“For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace.”
Romans 8:6 (HCSB)
Kathy Wyss Greer, SC
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,humility, gentleness and patience.
Col 3:12 NIV
Connie Inglis
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
2 Timothy 1:7
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Amber Jaramillo, Tampa, FL, “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.” Romans 4:21-22 NIV84.
lLinda, Longview: Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.
Proverbs 17:9 NLT
Julia Pensacola Florida, For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. Psalm 33:4-5
Paula, Oklahoma City: “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.” John 10:9 NIV
Hopkinsville, Ky
Psalms 119:18
Open my eyes so I can truly see the marvelous things in your law!
Holli
Bryan, Texas
Psalm 13:5 “But I trust in your unfailing love: my heart rejoices in your salvation.”
Wendy Brz
Fort Belvoir, VA
“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.”
Proverbs 30:5-6 (NIV)
Elizabeth
Raleigh, NC
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. I Peter 5:8 NKJV
Candace Stoltzfus, Narvon, PA
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. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:10-12
Murfreesboro, TN
Col. 1:13-14 (NIV)
For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Kelly Morris
Grand Prairie, TX
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 NKJV
Lezli, Columbus, GA
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23, NIV
Do your best, prepare for the worst, then trust God for the victory. Prov 21:31 msg
Ginny
Rice Lake, WI
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV
Tina
Mason, OH
Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?
Isaiah 43:13
TNIV
Jennifer, Richmond, VA
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil. 1:6 (NAS)
Kimber, ID
“I am not saying this be amuse I am in need for I have learned to be content
Whatever he circumstances. I know what it is to be in want and what it is to
Have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation whether
Well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through
Him who gives me strength.” Phil 4:11-13 niv
*^because
Peggy,Berwyn,AB
Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist there is disorder and every evil thing.
James 3:16 NIV
Sarah Davis from San Angelo, TX:
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
Romans 5:3 ESV
Michelle, Austin, TX – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 NIV
Laura, League City, TX:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8
Dedra Solwecki
Haysville, Kansas
“The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit”
Psalm 34:18
NIV
Nichole C, Nashville, TN
Ephesians 3:19 To know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of God.
Cindy ~ Bridge City, TX
“He who withholds his rod hates his son. But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.” ~ Proverbs 13:24
Ellen K
Findlay, OH
Ephesians 4:2. With all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance to one another in love. NASB
Kim from Amarillo, TX
“I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12 NAS
Kaity Seavolt
Haysville, KS
“The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” Psalm 34:18
NIV
Michelle
Okeechobee, Florida
Feb 1st scripture:
2 Corn 5.7 NKJV
…for we walk by faith and NOT by Sight!
Teresa Sherer from Apex, North Carolina
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV
Sandy Tate, Denver, CO
“If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.” 1 Cor. 13:3 ESV
1 Corinthians 9:27 NKJV
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others,
I myself should become disqualified.
Paulette P. Mays
Elmer, La
Carol Wiglesworth, Olathe KS
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV84
Amy from Noble,OK
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
(NIV)
Laura, BC Canada
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Proverbs 16:23-25 NIV
Alicia, Orlando, FL
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:17, 18 ESV)
Carrie
Boonville, IN
“You know that many runners enter a race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 CEV
1 John 1:7 – NIV – But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
Susan from Madison,MS
Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes.
1 Peter 3:3 (NLT)
Callie
Eugene, Or
“She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” Proverbs 31:12 NIV
Amanda from Austin, TX
“…though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen, is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV