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
Sharon, Hulbert, OK
“There are those who speak rashly,
like the piercing of a sword, but the
tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Proverbs 12:18
Fort Worth, Texas:
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and by his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 KJV
Heidi ~ Chicago, IL
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” – James 1:5 NLT
Becky, Temecula, CA
Matthew 14:30 NASB
“But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, Lord save me.”
Lisa, Frisco TX Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. Psalm 62:5 NLT
Mariposa Sivage – Albuquerque, NM
And this is the testimony; God has given us eternal life and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life. He who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5: 11-12 NIV
Allison, Forest, VA
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” II Cor. 9:8 ESV
Courtney
Houma, LA
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, TNIV
Mindy – McDonough, GA
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
Kristi – Blair, WI
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. I Corinthians 10:23 (NIV)
DeeAnn Payne, Horn Lake,
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4(NIV)
Courtney C. From Kountze, TX
1 John 3:21-22 NCV
My dear friends, if our hearts do not make us feel guilty, we can come without fear into God’s presence. And God gives us what we ask for because we obey God’s commands and do what pleases him.
Sarah, Colorado Springs
Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways know, recognize and acknowledge Him and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.(AMP)
The Lord is my Strength and my (impenetrable) Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him.
Psalm 28:7 AMP
Tess. Tokyo
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not want what belongs to others. It does not brag. It is not rude. It does not look out for its own interest. It does not easily become angry. It does not keep track of other peoples wrongs. NIRV
Kim Renee, Brighton, CO:
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Ps. 51:10 KJV
Courtney Cops
Murfreesboro, TN
Hebrews 12:14-15 NIV
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
Christy, Cowpens, SC
Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I would not be ashamed when I compare my life with your comands. As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me!
Psalm 119:5-8 NLT
Lauren, Frisco, TX
“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45 (NIV)
Liz, Bloomfield: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30, ESV).
therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are acheiving for us an enternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unsen, since what we see is temporary but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV
Deb, Littleton, CO:
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. James 1:3NKJV
Rachel, Surprise, AZ
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.” ~Proverbs 31:8
Oops – version is NIV!
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Phil 4:11 NIV
Linda, Bartelso, IL. But He said to me, “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. 2Corintians 12:9 HCSB
Carin
Bossier City,La.
ROmans 8:15 (NIV)
15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.Ps. 139: 23-24 NKJV
Denyse: Dallas, TX
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 51:12 NIV
Lynne Amos
Wray, Colorado
She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Proverbs 31:27 ESV
Erica, Chicago
Psalm 27:4 (NIV)
“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”
Rhonda – Portage, MI
Those who look to him are RADIANT; their faces are NEVER covered with shame. Psalm 34:5 NIV
We are RADIANT gals!!
Jordin from Albuquerque, NM
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV
Molly
Brooklyn, MI
“I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”
Isaiah 44:22 (NIV)
Jen, Saint Francis. The fear of the Lord leads to life;one will sleep at night without danger. Proverbs 19:23 HCSB
Lisa, Slidell, LA: Jeremiah 29:11
11 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. New International Version
Marianne; Saegertown, PA
“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.”
Psalm 55:22 NIV
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 3:14 (NIV)
Sheryl, PA
Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God – soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.
Psalm 45:3 The Message
Nikki. McGregor, Texas. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Philippians 4:8, NIV.
Bree, Newport KY. “No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.” (Deuteronomy 30:14 NIV)
Berni, Albuquerque
“May my words and my thoughts be acceptable in your sight,
O LORD, my sheltering rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NET
Ariana, Niles, MI
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” -Ephesians 3:20-21 (NLT)
Millicent – Houston: “All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Sharon, North Plainfield, NJ Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV
“All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.”
Isaiah 54:3
ESV
Carrie Jones
Ontario, Canada
Linda, Pittsburgh
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
“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
Dori, Meridian ID
Romans 4:20 AMP
No unbelief or distrust made him waver concerning the
promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God.
Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Katie, Kentucky
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. (Acts 20:24 NIV)