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
Star, Spokane Valley, WA
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Silt, CO
The One whom God has sent speaks God’s words. God gives the Holy Spirit without limit.
John 3:34. NIRV
Pamela Knight from La Ceiba, Honduras
For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment. Luke 1:37 AMP
Elizabeth Scheller
Morehead City NC
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgivng, let your requests be made know to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6,7 (NKJV)
Gwen Coweta, OK
Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. Jeremiah 31:13 NIV84
Jessica
Charleston, SC
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30 (NIV)
“He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me…”
Psalm 50:23 NIV
Inez Barnes
Hamburg, AR
Jeremiah 17:14. King James Bible Online
Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.
Stephanie G, Springfield, OH
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6
Linda
Beechmont
And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Col. 3:17 HCS
Faye, Ocala. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)
Rhonda
Anderson, IN
Isaiah 30:20b-21 “Your eyes will see your Teacher, and whenever you turn to the right or to the left your ears will hear, this command behind you: This is the way. Walk in it. HCSB
I am having me and my kids memorize Proverbs 3. We started in January and it is amazming what wisdom is there. Last week the verse7/8 said “Do not be wise in your own eye, fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring heath to your body and nourishment to your bone.” As I was memorizing this, it never occurred to me that when I go my own way, fill my days with my stuff, cram in as much as I can and wear myself out in the process, I am depleating my body, my mind and my spirit. I must not be wise in my own eyes. I must seek the Lord for the health of my mind, my spirit ,and my body. That is when I can be a good mom, good wife and all the other jobs in between. Without Him, I’m left empty, depleated and very frustrated. Isn’t it amazing how verses come at just the right time.
Vicki
Lake Jackson, TX
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.
1Peter 5:6 NIV
Meredith Sloan – Greer, SC
“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
Rhonda, Pooler, Ga
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind
James 1:4-6
JA, Wheaton, IL
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. Col 3:23,24 NLT
Shelli, Karalee, and Katelyn; Royse City, TX: “You are my hiding place.” Psalm 32:7, NIV
Sande Wilkie, Mission Viejo, Ca 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
Michele O. Raleigh, NC
“We can rejoice too, when we run into problems and trials,for we know that they help us develop endurance.”
Romans 5:3 NLT
Allison
Macon, GA
“Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” Ephesians 5:2 NLT
Lynette, Alton, IL
Going through the motions doesn’t please You, a flawless performance is nothing to You.
Psalm 51:16 (MSG)
EEEK! Late again!
Chrystal Foster, Lexington, KY
Let everything you say be good and helpful so that your words will be an encouragement to those that hear them.
Ephesians 4:29
Marisa, Michigan
Isaiah 54:13
I will teach all your children and they will enjoy great peace.
Zakia. Clarksville, TN
“Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me” Isaiah 30:15 (MSG)
gayla martin, Benbrook, TX, Eph. 1:3- Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Through Christ, God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing that heaven has to offer. (GWT)
Katelyn, Tulsa, OK
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life 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 ESV
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV
Katherine from The Woodlands, Texas
Hazel P.
Philadelphia, PA.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
Dawn, Wellington, FL
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Phillipians 4:13 KJV
Bobbi Jo Wells, Montgomery, TX
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenver you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” James 1:2-3 NIV
Anna Wimberly
Brooklyn NYC
2 Timothy 3:16 KJV
ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Lisa, Moyock, NC
Moses said to Pharoah, “I will let you have the honor of setting the time when I will pray for you, your officials, and your people to have their homes free of frogs.”
“Tomorrow, then.” said Pharoah.
Exodus 8: 9 & 10 NIV
Really – TOMORROW! Let’s get rid of our frogs RIGHT NOW!
Cozy
Fair Grove, MO
GOD makes his people strong.
GOD gives his people peace.
Psalm 29:11
The Message
Marie, Saskatoon, SK. Canada
Psalm 29:11 (esv) “May The Lord give strength to his people. May The Lord bless his people with peace.”
Jessica from Washington, IN
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galations 5:22-23 (NIV)
Natalie
Shreveport, LA
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 ESV)
Mickey, Blue Springs, MO
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship.
Romans 12:1 NIV
(in honor of my daddy, who would have been 86 years old today)
Denise, Boise, ID
“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.”
Philippians 4:6-7
Jeanine Ernst, Tampa, FL
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:” Ephesians 4:31 (KJV)
Psalm 73:28 KJV
“But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.”
Joan from Springfield, VA
My heart told me to come to you, LORD, so
I am coming to ask for your help.
Psalm 27:8 ERV
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
Diana from Arcadia, WI
If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 HCSV
Leslie, Apple Valley,MN
Alison P.
McComb, MS
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
NIV
By this love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because just as Jesus is, so also are we in this world. 1John4:17
Cheryl, Sherrills Ford, NC
Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 NLT
Jessica in Nicaragua
“For nothing is impossible with God”
Luke 1:37 NIV
Nikki, Covington, GA
Psalm 143:5
“I will remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works: I muse on the works of thy hands.” (KJV)
Holly Belt, Spring Hill, TN
Isaiah 40:28-29 NIV
Do you know? Have you heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.