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
Jovin, Houston TX
“Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” Josh 3:5b NIV84
“and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His spendor.” Is 61:3 NIV
Sarah Simons from Texas:
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
Maxine, Mountain Home,AR
So then, let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.
Romans 14:19 NAS
“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Cor 13:4-7 (New American Bible)
Cassie, Mechanicsburg, PA
Phil 3:13 (ESV)
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.
Raquel, Sydney – Australia
“I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.” Isa 44:22 NLT 2007
James 3:13 NIV
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Mikah, Charleston, SC
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
Carol P., Vernon Hills, Il
“I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I may not sin against you.”
Psalm 119:10-11, NIVSB
Cynthia, Lee’s Summit, MO
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. – James 1:19 NIV
Kelly, Fredericksburg, Virginia
My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. Isaiah 32.18 NIV
Mauriceville, Texas
Psalm 139: 1-4
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.
That verse comes from the NIV, sorry forgot to list that.
Andrea Fisher, Knoxville, TN “I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. ” Psalms 16:7-11 NIV
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NASB
Laura, Katy, TX. Psalm 126:5-6 NIV. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping carrying seeds to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
Tricia, Lexington, SC “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trust in You.” NKJV
“Do not conform any longer to the patterns 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 – hsi good, pleasing, and perfect will. ” Romans 12:2
Sara, De Pere, WI
In his heart a man plans his course,
but the Lord determines his steps. Prov 16:9 NIV84
Megan Wright, Fairmont, WV
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.
Galatians 5:16 (NLT)
Hannah, Pleasant Hill, MO
1 Peter 5:6, ESV
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you
Lynn, Colorado Springs, CO “Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me, let them bring me to your Holy mountain,to the place where you dwell. Psalms 43:3 (NIV)
Colossians 3:12-13
Put on…long suffering, bearing with others, and forgiving them if you have a quarrel against anyone; even as Christ forgave you, so you also forgive. NKJ
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)
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NLT)
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable and it keeps no record of being wronged.
Deb V – Ohio
Romans 12:12 (ESV)
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Chris, Yukon,OK
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
Jennifer
Lancaster Pa
Romans 15:13 NIV
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.
Cindy- Hampstead,NC
“Call to Me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.” Jeremiah 33:3(MSG)
Proverbs 11:24 (NIV) “One man gives freely, yet gains even more. Another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.”
Crystal, Gridley,IL
Psalm 31:24 (NIV)
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.”
Karen in Grand Prairie, TX says:
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21 NIV -we just started a new Bible study r12 about Romans chapter 12. It is so amazing how God sends exactly what we need at exactly the right time. Blessings. k
Cathi, North Canton, Oh
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Patti, Houston,
“from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,” Ephesians 3:15, NAS
Esme Brown – Memphis, TN
The Lord gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm.
Isaiah 26:3 CEV
Job 16:19-21 NIV
19. Even now my witness is in heaven, my advocate is on high. 20. My intercessor is my friend, as my eyes pour out tears to God. 21.On behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend.
Colossians 2:6-7 NIV
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness.
Kellie from Nashville, TN
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 (NIV84)
Abbie, Katy “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
Lydia, Charlotte, NC, For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:22 ESV
Kimberly from Elkhorn WI,
Ephesians 6:12 from NIV
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the powers of the dark world and against
the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Cheryse, Miami, FL: I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26
New King James Version (NKJV)
1 Peter 3:15
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
NET
Lisa, Dallas
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:6 ESV
Hannah, La Grange Tx
“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you ha become so dear to us.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV
1 Peter 2:11 – Message – I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.
My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.
Psalm 27:8 NIV
“All your children shall be taught by the Lorad and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
I don’t believe I entered my 3rd scripture correctly, so here goes – Thanks for the information AGAIN, Beth!!!
Psm 37:25 “I have been young, and now am old;
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
nor his descendants begging bread.” NKJ
God has been so-o faithful in my life – may this be true in yours as well you Siesta’s who are following this blog!!
Lauren Spence from Decatur, TX
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Mark 11:24 (NIV)