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
Linda from Stanley, WI
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage and strenthen you in every good deed and word. II Thes. 2:16-17 NIV
Jenny – Brighton CO – “Do not conform 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
Thelisa, Mansfield, TX.
Proverbs 4:20-22 “My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body”. NIV84
Katie Faffler, San Diego, CA
Isaiah 41:13 HCSB “For I, Yahweh your God ,hold your right hand and say to you: DO NOT FEAR I will help you”
Kim, Cincinnati,OH
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.
Proverbs 31:25-26 (NLT)
Marla, Grapevine,TX
“But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” 1 Peter 3:4, ESV
Emili milwaukee wi
Isaiah 41:13 NIV 1984
13 For I am the Lord, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand(AR)
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help(AS) you.
Samantha. Novi, MI
Psalm 3:2-3 NIV84 Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” But you, are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
Megan L. Charleston WV
“Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him” Psalm 127:3 NIV
Peg Suveg, Naperville, IL
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1. (NIV)
Kristin, Broken Arrow OK, I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. 1 Samuel 1:27 NIV
Romona, Rosewood Heights
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 1John 4:14 (NIV)
Melissa, Nashville, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
Gena- Texarkana, AR.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”.
Ephesians 2:8 NIV
Marie from North Richland Hills, Texas
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:19 NIV84)
Alice, Chesapeake Va.
Phil.4:19 Amplified
And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full)
your every need according to His riches in glory in
Christ Jesus.
Chatsworth, Georgia
“It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance”. 1 Corinthians 13:6-7 NLT
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
Jennifer from Dallas,Texas:”Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”Proverbs 3:5&6 NASB
Lu Ann, Cadillac,MI
“And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” I. Cor. 12:9 (NASB)
Jean, Rubicon
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:12-18 NIV
Melissa, San Antonio, TX
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control
Jane, from Van Buren, AR. Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (NAS)
Anna Kristina from Wilmore
Galatians 5:16,17 NLT
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.
Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.
The sinful nature wants to do evil,
Which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants.
And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.
These two forces are constantly fighting each other,
So you are not free to carry out your good intentions.
Roni – Demopolis, AL
Lord, I have heard the report about you; Lord, I stand in awe of your deeds. Revive Your work in these years; make it know in these years. In your wrath, remember mercy.
Habakkuk 3:2 – HCSB
Suzy, Wheelersburg,Oh: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” NIV
Karen from Kingsport, Tn
2 Chron. 7:17 New King James
“If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face,and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.”
Mitzi, Lepanto, AR
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
James 1:19-20 NIV
Cathy, Rockwall, Tx
NIV
I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing,”
Ps 16:2
Nancy, West Grove, Pa.
No eye has seen, no ear has heard,no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.
I Corinthians 2:9 NIV
Glenda from Antioch, IL
Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing, the house of your servant will be blessed forever. Samuel 7:29 NIV
Leah: Bloomington, IN. 2 Corinthians 6:10 Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything. NLT
Christy, Carol Stream, IL:
Psalms 55:22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Meredith, Kosciusko
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 NIV84
Jill, Winter Haven, FL
Colossians 3:1 “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.” NKJV
Sarah Staples; Kearney, NE
Isaiah 41:10 ESV – Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Carole, Houston, TX
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.
I Corinthians 15:10 NIV
Jenni, Anderson, TexasKJV 2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17. That the man of God may be perfect,throughly furnished unto all good works.
Casey, Fort Pierce, FL
Psalm 112:7 (NIV)
“They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”
Nancy Miller Greenville Ky.
Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 2:1 NIV
When I called, you answered me. You made me bold by strengthening my soul. Psalm 138:3 GWT
Susan from Durango,
“Because your sins are so many and your hostility so great, the prophet is considered a fool, the inspired man a maniac.” Hosea 9:7b, NIV
Cherie – Pocatello, ID — “I lift up my eyes to the hills– where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2, NIV).
Leanne, Abbotsford BC, Canada
“A final word: Be strong with the Lord’s mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all the strategies and tricks of the Devil”
Eph. 6:10-11 NLT
Lise, Cumming, GA. Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things passed away; behold new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NAS).
Brenda from Santa Rosa Beach Florida
It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His tender compassions fail not. Latmentations 3:22 Amplified
Tulare, CA
Cini, Champaign, Il Eph 5:2 NIV and live alife of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Laura, Greenville, NC: Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
Philippians 4:6-7 (Msg)
Theresa, Taylorsville, KY: 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)
Jan, Minneapolis, MN
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.