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
Ann Marie, Riverbank, California
“If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, till my change comes. You shall call, and I will answer You; You shall desire the work of your hands.” Job 14:14-15 NKJV
I will die to self and be ready to serve when He calls!
Autumn, Wetumpka. “That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that He is able to guard what I gave entrusted to Hi until the day of His return.” 2 Timothy 1:12 NLT
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Prov. 15:1 (ESV)
Amanda B, Bloomfield, IN
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. PS. 19:14, NIV
A little late to the party, but here nonetheless. 🙂
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6 NIV84
“A new command I give you:Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love on another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if your love one another.” John 13:34,35 (NIV)
Stephanie Techau
Cynthiana, Ky
Now faith is being sure of what we hooe for and certain of what we do not see.
Heb. 11:1
Isaiah 61:10a (NIV)
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord. My soul will exult in my God, for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness.
Anita
Justin, TX
Alycia from Greenville, TX. “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…” – James 1:19 (NIV).
Hallie, Edmond.
“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of The Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of The Lord is at hand.” James 5:7-8 (ESV)
Erica E. from Ellicott City, MD: “And so it was that (s)he, while having waited long and endured patiently, realized and obtained what God had promised.” Hebrews 6:15 (AMP)
Isaiah 54:17
English Standard Version (ESV)
17 no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,
and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord
and their vindication[a] from me, declares the Lord.”
Sharon- Frederick, Md
Jenny, Wylie, Tx
“Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” Mark 6:31 NLT
Actually I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. Phil. 4:11 MSG
Alexa, Leland, NC
Psalm 143:8 & 10
NIV
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul….Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Karen Helms, Largo, Florida,
“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. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
Brittany from Stephenville, TX
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6 ESV)
“Everything is permissible for me but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.”
1 Corinthians 6:12
he Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. Psalm 145:18 (NASB)
Michele, Hollister, California “For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.” Jeremiah 31:25 NIV
Antoinette Morrisey, Kansas City
Luke 1:46-48 NKJV
And Mary said: “My soul magnifies The Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior for he has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold all generations will call me blessed.
Jami Troutman, Grand Rapids, MI
1 Corinthians 4:7, NIV
For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
Laura from Cartersville, GA
“Warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ” 1 Thessalonians 5:14(NIV)
Bradenton, FL
Verse 3: James 1:2-3 NIV
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Psalm 73:26 ESV
“My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Katie, Decatur, IL
1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV) – “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”
Julie, Waco
“You LOVE Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you TRUST Him; and you REJOICE with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting Him will be the SALVATION of your soul.”
~1 Peter 1:8-9 (NLT)
Jenny, Hastings, FL
Hebrews 13:8 NLT
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!
Lisa Corbin, KY
“for those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
Romans 8:5 (NASB)
Christine Arnold, Atlanta, GA Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: worship the Lord your God and serve him only. Matthew 4:10 (NIV)
Lauren Brooks, College Station, TX
For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
-1 Corinthians 9:19 (ESV)
Jenni from Jefferson City, MO. ” And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.” Luke 8:14, ESV
I waited patiently for The Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry.”
Psalm 40:1
Orthodox Study Bible
Fountain Hills Az
Kit Frankenfield, Spring Hill, Kansas.
“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord like channels of water; he turns it wherever he wants.” Prov. 21:1 (NET).
(Great verse for those in authority over you, who may at times be cruel, unfair, dictatorial, or otherwise causing negative emotions or situations for us.)
Haley from Atlanta, GA “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” James 1:17 NLT
Janet H., Concord, NC
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
1 Thes 5:23, 24 NIV
Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace and work to maintain it. Psalm 34:14 NLT
Francine from Crown City, OH.
Anita, Covington, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV)
Lori, Richmond, Va
“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 NIV
Sam Rey from Tampa, FL
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” -Psalm 19:14 NLT
Meagan
Arlington Texas
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside still waters.
Psalm 23:1-2
KJV
Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord 3 times to take it away from me. But He replied “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. So I take pleasures in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ. For whenI am weak, I am strong. 2 Cor 12:8-10 HCSB
NIV ABOVE ALL ELSE GUARD YOUR HEART FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FLOWS FROM IT.
Proverbs 4:23
For God works for the good to those who live him. Romans 8:28KJV
Bec Sandeman, Bendigo, Australia:
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go,for to you I entrust my life. (Psalm 143:8 NIV)
Austin, TX
Ps. 65:11
“You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.”
NIV
1 Peter 3:15-16 (NLT)
Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. [16] But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.
KaRetha, Denham Springs, LA
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:3 NIV
Brooke, Mobile, AL
Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.
Psalm 86:11, NLT
Katie
Grand Rapids, MI
“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.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-5