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
Jessica from Westminster, MD
I am continuing on in Isaiah 40 – “Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The Lord has spoken!” – Isaiah 40:4&5, ESV
Nicole Turnquist from Selden, NY:
God has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.
2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV)
James 1:4
But let patience hav her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing.
Jam 1:4
Cindy K, Rock Hill, SC
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 (NIV2011)
Gloria Haynes: Shreveport, LA
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 ESV
Kendra Husband, Charlotte, NC
“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV (1984)
Claire, Arab, AL
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10
You made me; You created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.
Psalm 119:73 NLT
Heather G
Charlotte NC
2 Timothy 1:7
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control.
Megan, Gladwin, MI Psalm 34:5-6 NLT Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and The Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.
Giovanna Kerr from Holbrook, NY:
2 Timothy 2:23-26 (NIV)
Have nothing to do with foolish and stupid arguments because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lords servant must not quarrel; instead he must be kind to everyone able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth and that they will come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
Audrey Lenz
Dickinson ND
1 John 2:15-17 NIV
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
Katy, Ann Arbor, MI.
“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 NIV
Cyndi, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
“Give thanks for the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever!”
Psalm 106:1, NLT
Abbigail, Rochester, WA “Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth. Meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not better dicier; do not bediscourages, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9 NIV doing two because I started the 15th of January.
Rachel, Simpsonville, SC
Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.
Psalm 105:4 NLT
Mimi,Versailles,Ky
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV
Webb City, MO
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
TCobb
John 15:5-8, NLT
Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me, you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
Forgot Branchland West Virginia
James 1:4
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye maybe perfect and entire wanting nothing.
James 1:4
Branchland West Virginia
Crown Point, IN – For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 NLT
Jessica, Northglenn, CO
“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.” John 16:33 (NIV)
Shelly, College Station, Cause me to hear your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk for I lift up my soul you. Psalm 143:8 (NKJV)
Pam Hendersonville, NC
Lamentations 3:22-23-“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.” KJV
Lauren, Asheville, NC 28803 “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it!” 1 Thess. 5:24
Penne – Spokane, WA
Psalms 27:14 “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (ESV)
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds
Hebrews 10:24 NIV
Mandy- Newburgh, IN
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
Ephesians 3:16-17 (NLT)
Debbie- Alice, TX
“Pay attention, Job, and listen to me, be silent, and I will speak. If you have anything to say, answer me; speak up, for I want you to be cleared. But if not, then listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.
Job 33: 31-33 NIV
Nanci—Mooresville, NC
Psalm 78:35 “They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer.”
(NIV)
Sarah Cox from Jay, Ok
” Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.”
Philippians.4:4-8 (NIV)
Valerie
Sparks, Nevada
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! Isaiah 26:3 NLT
Tisha
Pilot Mtn, NC
2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Diane- Largo, Florida
Therefore, HE is able also to save to the uttermost those who come to GOD through HIM, since HE is always living to make petition to GOD and intercede with HIM and intervene for them.
Hebrews 7:25 Amp
Teri in Corpus Christi, TX
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Fear not (there is nothing to fear), for I am with you, do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My (victorious) right hand of righness and justice.
Isaiah 41:10, AMP
Lauren – Bonner Springs
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
(Psalm 73:23, 24 NIV)
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
PS. 55:22, ESV
Donna D, Sarnia, Ontario
“Everyone is senseless and without knowledge;
every goldsmith is shamed by his idols.
His images are a fraud;
they have no breath in them.
They are worthless, the objects of mockery;
when their judgment comes, they will perish.
Jerm 10: 14-15 NIV
Jo, Columbia, Missouri
Psalm 103:8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Psalm 103:8 NIV
Kari, Frisco, TX
Psalm 51:10 —
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Rosemary, Newmarket ON
2 Corinthians 12: 9 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”(ESV)
Jennifer-Georgetown, TX
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
Julie, Carlsbad, CA
“For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
Alexis, Salem OR
But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
Psalm 13:5 NLT
Trish Lenz West Linn, Oregon
“The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14 NIV
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper and every tongue which rises against you in judgement you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of The Lord and their righteousness is from Me!”
Isaiah 54:17
Miranda, Edmonton, Canada
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1 NIV
Kim B. in Thatcher, AZ
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Because of your lovingkindness is better than life. My lips will praise You. So I will bless you as long as I live. I will lift up my hands in your name. Psalms 63:3-4