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
Teresa – Kokomo IN
Let your roots grow down into Him and draw up nourishment from Him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all He has done. Colossians 2:7 NLT
Tallahassee, FL ESV Daniel 9:13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the LORD our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight from your truth.
“There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear.” 1 John 4:19a HCSB
Valerie, Louisville KY
He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Psalm 121:3 NASB
Jennifer, Monroe, GA
Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your heart on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, and not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3 (NIV)
Elaine, New Orleans, Louisiana
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6 NIV
Kristen
Indianapolis
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.
~ Isaiah 40:8 (NIV)
Hannah, Perry, MI
“But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.”
Psalm 13:5-6 (NIV)
Barb – Wetumpka AL
I wait eagerly for the Lord’s help, and in his word I trust.
Psalm 130:5 GNT
Danita, Lake in the Hills, IL
Luke 4:18 NKJV
The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because he has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.
Carrie, Wentzville, Mo.
Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. 1 John 4:19 NLT
Elaine – Powder Springs – You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Psalm 139:3 (ESV)
Charlotte, Houston, Texas
“Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14
(HCSB)
Tracie, Monticello, FL
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”
Luke 9:23 NLT
Marsha R. Lexington Park, MD
Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?
But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? James 2:5-6 NIV
P.S.I know memorizing scripture has some wonderful spiritual benefits…but I’ve thought of another benefit I can have. I’m paying myself financially for each verse memorized through the SSMT (I’m aiming for 4 a month). I am putting a certain size $ in a jar marked H.O.U.S.T.O.N. and by the end of the year, not only will my heart be full…but the jar will be too. (and I can use that for the celebration trip!!!)
Gr8 idea! Thx 4 sharing!
I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Paslm 34-1 ESV
Susan, Greensburg, Indiana:
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:7 (NLT)
Tara Anderson, Appleton, WI
Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning:
For I trust in You;
Teach me the way in which I should walk;
for to you I lift up my soul.
Psalm 143:8 NASB
This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Hebrews 6:19 (Tracy’s note: I want to be in God’s inner sanctuary!)
Tracy, Richlands, NC
Nancy, Sanger, TX
God is not a man that he should lie or a son of man that he should change his mind. Has he said and will he not do it? Or has he spoken and will he not fulfill it? Numbers 23:19 ESV
Olga, Lilburn, GA
“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead”
Philippians 3:13 NASB
Shelley,Shiloh, Il. Let everything you do be done in love (true love to God and man as inspired by God’s love for us). 1 Corinthians 16:14 (Amplified)
Michelle Hamburg,Pa.
James 1:26
Those who consider themselvelves religous and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues decieve themselves,and their religion is worthless. NIV
Vicki
Smithwick/Marble Falls, TX
The Lord is good
a stronghold in the day of trouble
he knows those who take refuge in him.
Nahum 1:7 (ESV)
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Thessalonians 5:16 – 18 NIV
Susan C.
Longwood, Florida
Colossians 3:4 NCV (New Century Version)
Christ is your life, and when he comes again, you will share in his glory.
Bambi-Houston, TX
The Lord’s promise is sure. He speaks no careless word; all He says is purest truth, like silver, seven times refined. Psalms 12:6 The Living Bible
Janet in Bemus Point, NY
Psalm 73:25-26 (NIV)
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
And in French:
Psaumes 73:25-26 (SG21)
25 Qui d’autre ai-je au ciel? Et sur la terre je ne prends plaisir qu’en toi.
26 Mon corps et mon cœur peuvent s’épuiser, Dieu sera toujours le rocher de mon cœur et ma bonne part.
Tiffany, Chester, VA:
That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own. Philippians 3:11, AMP
Erin- Tokyo, Japan
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.”
Romans 15:4, NIV
Psalm 25:4
Make your ways known to me lord
Teach me your paths
Fort Mill, SC
Phil 4:6 NLT Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Chris, Sugar Land, TX Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
Vickie, Poplar Bluff, MO:
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love
and good works.” Hebrews 10:24 ESV
Mary Concord, NC: He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness with be your shield and rampart. PS 91:4 NIV
Shannon, Rogers, AR Proverbs 16:3 NKJV
Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.
Sheri from Morrisville, MO
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all‑surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:7-9 NIV84)
2 Peter 1:10-11
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. NIV
Alyssa
Rio Rancho, NN
Brotherly love must continue. Do not neglect hospitality, because through it some have entertained angles without knowing it.
Hebrews 13:1-2 NET
Philippians 2:5-6 ESV
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God , did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.”
From Grapevine Tx
I waited patiently for Him. He turned to me and heard my cry. Ps 40:1
Sarah New Palestine, Indiana
Psalm 86:11 (NIV)
Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness: give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
Sharon
Ann Arbor, Mi.
So, Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God –
1 Corinthians 10:31
ESV
Keller, TX: Ephesians 6:10-13 (ESV)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Andrea, Gainesville FL
“And those he called he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified” Rom. 8:30 NIV
Dayna, Bedford, VA “Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2 (HCSV)
Kerry, Nederland, TX
Then He added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given – and you will receive even more.”
Mark 4:24
New Living Translation
Katie from Mount Dora, FL
She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
Proverbs 31:15 (NIV)
Christina Fort Worth
The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
Proverbs 21:23 HCSB
Terri in Orange Tx,
“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing his seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Psalm 126:5-6