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
Tanis Terrace
The Lord your God is in your midst;
he is a warrior who can deliver.
He takes great delight in you;
he renews you by his love;
he shouts for joy over you. Zephaniah 3:17 NET
Loved your comment. My verse for #3: I Kings 17:5 (NIV), “So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there.” I chose this verse because I just returned from a tour of the Holy Land and we toured this area, which is near the Samaritan Inn, in the Judean Wilderness. It was an awesome experience!!!!
Lisha Adam, Wetumpka, AL
“Each day that we live, he provides for our needs and gives us the strength of a young eagle.”
Psalms 103:5 (CEV)
Susan, Houston In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 ESV
DeAnna Morris- Greenville SC
As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. (James 5:11 NIV)
Anna, Little Elm, TX
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV 84)
Janet, Tulsa
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Eph 4:29 (ESV)
Shera, Lynchburg, VA
They tremble with awe because of all the good and all the peace I will bring about for them.
Jeremiah 33:9b (HCSB)
Janet – Columbus, GA: “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” -Colossians 3:14, NIV
Andrea from Sioux Falls, SD “For God did not give us a spirit of fear & timidity but of power, love and self-discipline.” 2Timothy 1:7 NLT
Audrey H, Ohio
Psalm 44:5-8 TNIV
Through You we push back our enemies; through Your Name we trample our foes.
I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory;
but You give us victory over our enemies, You put our adversaries to shame.
In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise Your Name forever.
Susan, Northern Virginia. “He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation.” (Luke 1:50) Book of Common Prayer
Michelle, Houston, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:7-8, NIV 1984
Ann Marie, Bethlehem
Romans 3:23, New American Standard
For all have sinned and fall short of the GLORY OF GOD!!!!!
Jan
Hawkinsville, GA
…continuing with Psalm 103
Psalm 103:3 (NKJV)
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Jody
Chesterfield, IL
Hebrews 10:35(NKJV)
“Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.”
Sandy from Centennial, Colorado: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him” Psalm 28:7 NASB
Lori in Pine Island, MN
“‘This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples.'” John 15:8 NIV
Cary Forney, TX Romans 15:13 NLT
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amy from Saint Cloud, FL
“The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life-of whom should I be afraid?”
Psalm 27:1 (HCSB)
Michelle O’Banion
1 Corinthians 15:10a ESV
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain.
Cindy
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:18 NIV
Jenn, Washington, DC. “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 12:2 (HCSB)
Ashley T, Charlotte, NC – “But I say , walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” Gal. 5:16 NASB
Lamentations 3:22,23 (ESV)
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Janice, Mountain View, Arkansas;
Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
Logan Forney, TX Romans 15:13 NLT
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Judy, Panama City, Fl
Ps 143:10 (NLT)
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.
May Your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.
Judy, Virginia. “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Kathy from Bluffton, SC
The unfailing love of the Lord never ends. By His mercies we are kept from complete destruction. Great is His faithfulness; his mercies begin fresh every day. Lamentatios 3: 22-23 NIV
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:26-28 NIV
Jill
Vandalia, MO
Janet Ronkonkoma, NY
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. Gal 2:20 NIV
Cindy, Biloxi, MS
In every place of worship, I want men (siestas) to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.
1 Timothy 2:8 NLT
Sarah
Portales, NM
Psalm 113:4=6 & 9 (ESV)
The Lord is high above all nations and His glory above the heavens! Who is like the Lord our God who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? … He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!
Jessy from Houston,
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 (ESV)
Denise from Indianapolis, IN – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Susan from Cary, NC Psalm 1:3 NIV
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prosper.
Christy – Hahira, GA
2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
Donella, Bakersfield
And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:3. (NLT)
Joy from Bethlehem, GA
John 15:12 (NIV)
My command is this,love each other as I have loved you.
Jill, Lewisville, TX. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4 – 10 (ESV)
Angela, Warsaw
They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise The Lord. They were to do the same in the evening. 1 Chronicles 23:30 (NIV)
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8, NIV
I will praise you, O Lord among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Psalm 57:9-10 NIV
Carliann Conner – Urbandale, IA
Isaiah 48:17 NLT
“This is what the LORD says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Isreal: I am the LORD you God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.”
Leah Godley from Norman Park, GA – “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” Phillipians 3:7-8 NIV84
Pamela, Shelby Township, MI:
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV
Robyn Wright – Washington, IN
Romans 1:16-17 (ESV)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Donna ~ Albuquerque
” Before I formed you in your mother’s womb I chose you. Before you were born I set you apart. I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5) NET
Ashley – Nacogdoches, TX
This verse just seemed fitting for a very single girl in the days leading up to Valentines Day.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.
– Ecclesiastes 3:1, NIV
Leslee from Columbia, SC
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the rock eternal. Is 26:3-4