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
The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV)
Kim, Pearland TX
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
Psalm 28:7 NIV
Debbie
Fairbanks, AK
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. I John 4:18 NIV
Kara B., Silsbee, TX
(continue passage) Deuteronomy 7:11 “You shall therefore be careful to do the commandment and the statutes and the rules that I command you today.” (ESV)
Blanche, Pearland TX
Cast all your cares on me, for I care for you.
I Peter 5:7
Rebecca R., Raleigh, NC “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Romans 4:25 (NIV)
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
Sherry, Virginia Beach, VA
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. Phil. 4:6-7 NIV
Deedi Phillips, Kodak, TN
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,
Phil 3:12, NLT
Patricia; Russellville
In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Phil 4:6 ASV
Janice, Burkburnett,TX
Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10 (NASB)
Diana, Seekonk MA
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,
whenever you face trials of many kinds, because
you know that the testing of your faith produces
preserverance.
James 1:2-3 NIV
Elizabeth – Illinois
Guard my life for I am devoted to You. You are my God save your servant who trusts in You. (Psalms 86:2-3 NIV)
Kristen from Allen, Tx
I sought the Lord , and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalms 34:4 ESV)
Gina, Tulsa
It is good to praise The Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. Psalm 92:1-2 NIV
Reba; Russellville
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Psalms 139:5 KJV
Daniel 2:20 says “Praise be to the name of God forever and ever. Wisdom and power are His”.
NIV
Laurie, Chester
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
NLT
Janet
Springfield
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Vickie Wichita, KS
O God, listen to my cry!
Hear my prayer!
From the ends of the earth,
I cry to you for help
when my heart is overwhelmed.
Lead me to the towering rock of safety,
for you are my safe refuge,
a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.
Psalms 61:1-3 (NLT)
Alicia, Chicago
“I have set he Lord always before me.
Because HE is at my right hand,
I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN.”
Psalm 16:8 niv
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16, NIV
John 14:1-3 Do not let your heart be troubled, believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto Myself, that where I am you maybe also. NASB
Traci from Evansdale, IA
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Karen
Tallahassee, FL
Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately. 2 Tim. 2:15 NET
Nell
Gallatin, TN
Romans 8:38-39 NIV
(38)For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, (39) 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.
Carolyn, Dover
“You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.”
Psalm 139:5,6 NIV
Lu, Raleigh, Matthew 6:25 NIV
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.
Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
oops…..(NKJV)
Anita, Lubbock NLT
Ps 139:5 You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Katie, Harrisonburg, “May the name of God be praised forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.” Daniel 2:20-12 (HCSB)
Grace, Topeka KS
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. -Romans 8:35-37 NIV 1984
Misti, Rockwall TX
Starting Breaking Free on Tuesday so I’m memorizing week 1 & 2 verses.
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners… Isaiah 61:1 NIV
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you make know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.” Isaiah 43:10 NIV
Molly
Lexington, KY
My counsel is this: live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness.
Galatians 5:17, MSG
Midland, TX
Galatians 5:16-18 (HCSB)
I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Niceville, FL.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” ESV
Hayley, Dallas, TX
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. – Psalm 139:1-4 (NIV)
Tillie, Spring Branch, TX
“Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.”
Psalm 100:3 (NIV)
Proverbs 4:23-27 KJV
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of they feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.”
Carolee, Corona Calif
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts
Isaiah 55:89 ESV
Linda, Blue Springs, MO
Psalm 121:5-8 ESV
5. The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade on your right hand.
6. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
7. The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life.
8. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
James 1:10 – 14 NIV But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. 12 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. 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
Paige, Indianapolis
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. (Romans 1:16 ESV)
Dawn in Monett, MO
Psalm 68:19 NIV
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.
Pat
Birmingham, AL
Proverbs 16:31 The Message
Gray hair is a mark of distinction, the award for a God-loyal life.
Marysville, Washington
Psalm 42:5
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? HOPE in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
Brook, Fort Collins, CO:
His mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before him. – Luke 1:50 Message
Judy Carroll
Grenada,MS
“Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men.
The Lord is near.”
Phillipians 4:5
New American Standard
Charlotte
Powhatan,Arkansas
I Peter 5:10 (NIV)
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered for a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.
Kristin Cho; Northville, Michigan
Psalm 40:1-2 NIV
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
Amen