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
Julie, Chesterland, OH
For from within, out of my heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these things come from within (my heart) and defile me. Mark 7:21-23 (ESV) but…
I, I AM He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will NOT remember your sins. (ESV) Is 43:25
Marci, chas. sc. ” All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Tami, Palm Coast, FL
But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NET)
Emily Mechanicsville, VA 2 Timothy 2:16 NIV
Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
I struggle with godless chatter.
Stacey Swan, Springfield, MO – “The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 NIV
Michelle, Greenville, TX
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 15:15 (NIV)
Laura, Southaven, MS:
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NLT
Denise 🙂
New Market, AL
And may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.
Philippians 3:9 (NASB)
Psalm 94:19 NASB
When anxious thoughts multiply within me, your consolations delight my soul.
Do not confrom 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 what God’s will is,His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 NIV
Tanya, Sierra Vista, AZ
Matthew 6: 14-15 (NEB)
For if you forgive other the wrongs they have done, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, then the wrongs you have done will not be forgiven by your Father.
Kim, Warrensburg MO
James 1: 9-11
9 Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. 10 And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. 11 The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.
Emily, Cullman, AL
Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), making the very most of the time…..
Ephesians 5:15,16
Ann, Prior Lake, MN
“O LORD my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all Your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.”
Psalm 40:5 NLT
Psalm 19:14 (ESV)
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Steph, Scottsdale, az “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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)
Rosemary,Forney,Tx. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.John 1:3 KLV
Melissa, Denham Springs, LA “Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth not rust destriy and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 NIV
Deanna, Mansfield TX
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27 NIV84)
Ephesians 3:20 NIV – 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.
Jessica, San Diego
Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Matthew 25:34-36 NIV
Ganise, Ottawa, Canada. 1 John 4:16-19 (NIV)
16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
19 We love because he first loved us.
Marissa Haney, Aliquippa PA
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take the heat; I have over come the world.
John 16:33
ESV
Erica from Denver
I knew they were scheming to hurt me so I sent messengers back with this: “I’m doing a great work; I can’t come down. Why should the work come to a standstill just so I can come down to you.”
Nehemiah 6:2-3 (The Message)
Teresa, Peoria, IL: 1 Timothy 6:11-12, NIV: “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
Nancy, Junction City, Arkansas
“Those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.” Psalm 9:10 NKJ
Christine, St. Louis Park, MN For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and the attitudes of the heart. Heb 4:12 NIV
Shannon, Columbia, SC
“This is what love is: it is not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the means by which our sins are forgiven.” I John 4:10 Good News Translation
Ryan, Sussex, WI
James 2:17-“Faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead.” NIV
Sherry Youngblood, Jay OK
Set a guard over my mouth, LORD;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3 (NIV)
from Littlestown, PA
“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to 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 Thes. 4:11-12 NIV
Amy in Greenfield, Indiana
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.”
Malachi 3:10 (NKJV)
Stephanie Colucci
Dallas, TX
Luke 1:45
New International Version (NIV)
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
Amanda from Brookville Ohio
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:10 NIV)
Kaitlyn Richter, Cincinnati, OH, Matthew 5:3-12 (NLT) (The Beatitudes)
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you[c] and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
Vicki, Corpus Christi
ISAIAH 48:3 NKJV
“I have declared the former things from the beginning;
They went forth from My mouth, and I caused them to hear it. Suddenly I did them, and they came to pass.
Eugene Oregon
My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish-ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand. John 10:27-28 HCSB
~ Lisa, Enterprise, AL
Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
— Hebrews 12:3 (NIV)
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 about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV84)
Owensboro, Kentucky
Psalm 5:3 NIV
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.
Lisa S, Kokomo, IN
The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will.
Isa 50:4
Tina Willis, Everett, WA
Philippians 4:6
Audrey – Lombard, IL
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
Beth, Fountain Inn SC, Psalm 16:3 “As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” ESV
I am working on memorizing the whole Psalm.
DeeDee in Tallahassee, FL — “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” Rev. 1:3 NIV
He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them. Psalm 145:19 (NIV)
Kelly, Tacoma, WA “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NIV
Tina Willis, Everett, WA
NIV Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, iwht thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Kelley B. from Houston, TX
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)
Ellen Forrester, Spring, TX
Psalm 139:23,24 ESV
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!