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
Luke 24:45
New International Version (NIV)
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.” Acts 16:31 (NIV)
Ann, Morelia, Mexico “who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.”Psalm 103:5 NIV
“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.”John 15:3 NIV
Kelly, The Hills, Tx. Teach me to number my days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NIV
Gina Tompkins, Tulsa OK It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. Psalm 92:1,2 NIV
“Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
James 1:27 (NIV)
Lindsay Garlington-Bend, Oregon
“Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
James 1:27 (NIV)
Sarah Vint
Ames, IA
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. –Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Jadee Carins
Gold Coast, Australia
‘And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:14 NIV
Laura R., Gonzales, LA
“may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” Eph 3:18 NIV
For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, He is guilty of all. James 2:10 NKJV
Paulette, Ramstein
Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
1 Thess 3:5 NKJV
2 Thess 3:5
Psalm 105:4 Look to The Lord and his strength, seek his face always.
Philippians 4:4 NKJV
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
“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 God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
Barbara in Tomball, TX:
This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” Ezekiel 36:26,27 (NIV)
Kendall. Atlanta. For God has not given [me] a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
Pat W. green bank, wv.
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
Paula, Atlanta Tx
You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
Psalm 139:3 NKJV
Glennell Buda, Tx.
Psalm 103:1 (NIV)
Praise the Lord, my soul, and all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Kathy from Richmond, VA
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But, take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Mary Nell, Colorado Springs: “Even to your old age, I am He. And even to your gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, I will bear, even I will carry you and deliver you.” Isaiah 46:4 NKJV
Psalm 121:2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Bonnie Port Orchard. WA
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Oh Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
Paulette, Ramstein
And let the beauty of The Lord our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands. Ps 90:17 NKJV
Waco TX “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You.” Isaiah 26:3 NKJ
Shannon Wilkinson
Blacksburg, VA
“I will praise the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. I will boast in the Lord; the humble will hear and be glad. Proclaim Yahweh’s greatness with me; let us exalt His name together.” Psalm 34:1-2 HCSB
should have been
Psalm 34:1-3 HCSB
Cindy, Beaumont, TX: Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! Psalm 27:14, NKJV
Melody, Cleburne, TX
“My whole being follows hard after you and clings closely to you; your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:8
St. Catharines Ontario CANADA
2nd Corinthians 1:4 NCV
He comforts us every time we have trouble so that when others have trouble we can comfort them with the same comfort GOD gives us.
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills – from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.” Psalm 121:1-3 NKJV
Crystal, NC, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Lauren, San Marcos Tx. If anyone considers himself religious, yet does not keep a right reign on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. James 1:26 NIV
Phil. 1:9. And this is my prayer for you; that your love may abound more and more in
Knowledge and depth of insight,
Sally Beaumont, Texas
Ephesians 4:14-15(HCSB)
14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ.
Heather
Circleville, ohio
Joshua 22:5
But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of The Lord gave you; to love The Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands,to hold fast to Him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul. NLT
Kathy, Lincoln
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7
NIV
Hebrews 13:5 – ESV
“I will never leave you nor abandon thee.”
Dana from Waterford, Ohio
(1 Thessalonians 5:16) NIV
Be joyful always
Hilary, Buffalo, NY
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
Proverbs 3:4 NIV
The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation> PS 149:9 (NLT)
Psalm 16:6 NIV
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
Rachelle, Starkville, MS
Isaiah 54:13 (NKJV)
All your children
shall be taught by the LORD,
And great
shall be
the peace of your children.
Phil. 1:10. …so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,
Kathy S – New Albany, OH
Psalm 3:3 NASB
But thou, Oh Lord, art a shield about me, my glory and the One who lifts my head.
Natasha Pearland
The Lord will give [unyielding and inpenetrable] strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace. Psalm 29:11 AMP
Sally Beaumont, Texas
Proverbs 19:11 (HCSB)
A person’s insight gives him patience,
and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
Nicki – Worcester, UK
Psalm 143:8 NLT
[8] Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.
Nicki – Worcester, UK
Psalm 143:8 NLT
[8] Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.
John 17:19 NLT
And I give myself entirely to you so they also might be entirely yours.