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
Karen E, Rochester, MN
Lamentations 3:24, NIV84
The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.
Amy Pitre in Central, La
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.”
Psalm 119:71
AMP
Tammy, West Point NE
He is before all thingsm, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:17 (NIV)
“I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so somehow to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:10-11 NIV
Calla, Thousand Oaks, California
John15:5 ESV ” I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me & I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
Terrie Waltrip
Greenville, Kentucky
The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the rightous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 NIV
Susan
Lynchburg, Virginia
Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Jennifer, Menomonee Falls, WI
Your beginning may be small, but later years will be very great.
ISV Job 8:7
Isaiah 61:2-3. Mostly ESV and some NLT
…to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. The day of vengeance of our God. To comfort those who mourn. To grant to those who mourn-to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and festive praise instead of despair. That they may be called The oaks of Righteousness, the planting of The Lord, that He May Be Glorified!!!
Susan, Knoxville, TN.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Heather from Frisco, Texas
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24, NIV
Jamie, Phoenix, AZ “Hebrought us out of Egypt so that He could give us this land he had solemnly promised to give our ancestors.” Deuteronomy 6:23 NLT
Kim Beechem from Center, TX:
“And he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in and give us the land that he swore to give to our fathers.” Deuteronomy 6:23 (ESV)
Jackie from MO.
Exodus 15:11 ESV
“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?”
La Chiel from Portland, TN
But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Cor 2:9 KJV
Kim, East Granby, CT: 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. Romans 15:13, NIV
Maribeth, Jackson, MS
Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
I Thessalonians 5:11 NIV
Shannon P., Ladera Ranch, Ca: “There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing.” –Proverbs 12:18. NASB
Jeannie
Xenia, OH
You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.
Psalm 139:3 (NLT)
Tracy, Euless, TX
Colossians 3:1-2 ESV
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Jaclyn, Round Rock, TX
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galations 6:9 NIV84
Heather from Owasso, Ok
Jude 1:20-23 NET
“You, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith, by praying in the Holy Spirit, maintain yourselves in the love of God, while anticipating the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that brings eternal life. And have mercy on those who waver; save others by snatching them out of the fire; have mercy on others, coupled with a fear of God..”
Hartley, Iowa
Psalm 105:2-4 Sing to Him; sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. NIV
Cindy – Fort Worth, TX
Luke 24:45 – NIV
Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
Isa 43:1 (NAS)
But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob.
And He formed you, O Isreal,
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name;
You are Mine!
Colossians 1:11-12 NASB
“Strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.”
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips which confess His name.
Heb. 13:15 (NIV)
Who can command things to happen without the Lord’s permission? Does not the Most High send both calamity and good?” – Lamentations 3:37-38 (NLT)
from Cammie Sancheti in Atlanta, Georgia
Julie, Newton, Iowa
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 NLT
Jackie, Mobile, Al.
“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; He won’t leave you.” Deut. 31:6 MSG
“God, create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore the joy of Your salvation to me and give me a willing spirit.”
Psalm 51:10-12
HCSB
Jackie UK
HCSB Luke 8:13-17
And the seed on the rock are those who when they hear, welcome the Word with joy. Having no root, these believe for a while and depart in a time of testing.
As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who when they have heard, go on their way and are choked with worries, riches, and pleasures of life and produce no mature fruit.
But the seed in the good ground- these are the ones who having heard the Word with an honest
and good heart, hold onto it and by enduring, bear fruit.
Joyce Davidson, Big River, Saskatchewan, Canada
“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust;
let me not be put to shame;
let not my enemies exult over me.”
Psalm 25:2,3 ESV
Kate K., Lafayette, Indiana
“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”
Matthew 6:34, MSG
Andrea, Louisville, KY
Isaiah 35:3-4 NIV
3 Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;
4 say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you.”
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
Rachel, Everett, WA. Phil. 2:3 “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” ESV
Therefore, bothers, 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. Romans 12:1 (HCSB)
Paige, DeWitt, Arkansas
“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”
–1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV)
Susan B., Chapin, SC
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. (1 Thessalonians 3:12 NIV)
Alexa, Shippensburg, PA
“Whoever does not know love does not know God, because God is love.” – 1 John 4:8 NIV
Charlotte Appleby, Spartanburg, SC
Matthew 6:34 ESV
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Hey Charlotte,
I’m not sure if you will get this or not but I just saw that you are from Spartanburg and I live there too. Would love to chat. E-mail me if you get this! [email protected]
Amber, Goshen, IN
But our bodies have many parts and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part. I Corinthians 12:18 & 19, NLT
Catherine, Orlando: I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes – I and not another. Job 19:25-27a NIV
Barbara, Prospect, KY: “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” Psalm 5:3 NIV84. Love the expectation part. Yes!
My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years and your life will be satisfying.
Psalm 3:1-2
Keri Alberta
“He (she) who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will remain stable & fixed under the shadow of the Almighty (whose power no foe can withstand). I will say of The Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I confidently trust.”
Psalm 91:1-2
Jillian from Boerne, TX Psalm 121:5-6 NIV
The Lord watches over you –
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
Jane from Calgary, Alberta. “For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” – 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NASB)
Angela, Denver , Colorado
“…See that you also excel in this grace of giving”
2 Corinthians 8:7. NIV