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
Elizabeth Meagher Mechanicsville, VA
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and hearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Kim, San Angelo
Seek ye first the kingdom of God,and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33
KJV
Leah
Brandon, MS
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2 NIV
Sarah Y, Atlanta
I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 ESV
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Romans 12:12 (NRSV)
Sarah Redding, CA
You will keep him [her] in perfect peace,whose mind is stayed on You,because [s]he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever,for in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26:3-4 NKJV
Jessica, Florence, SC
‘Guard your heart above all else for it determines the course of your life.’
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)
Almut, London, UK
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; Isa 61,2 (ESV)
Donna: Huntersville, NC
“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
Romans 8:32(NIV)
Katherine, Akron, PA
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
Becca, TN
Then he said to them, “Why are you fearful? Do you still have no faith?”
Mark 4:40 (HCSB)
Heather, Tallahassee
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
Isaiah 58:12 NIV
Lord, hear my prayer! In your righteousness listen to my plea; answer me in your faithfulness! Psalm 143:1 (GNT)
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Jen, Katy, TX
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Psalm 55:22 ESV
Kiersten Griffith, Wake Forest, NC
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, becausevyounknow that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)
Linda, Johnstown, PA
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go
for to you I lift up my soul.
Psalm 143:8 (NIV1984)
Shellie P.
Spokane, WA
“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32:17 NIV
P.S. Beth, I’m getting all my verses so far from Praying God’s Word, from the chapter on Overcoming Addiction 🙂
“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Gal 5:16, NIV
Stacey, Houston
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:11 NIV
Who is the man(woman) who “fears the LORD?” He will show him (her)the way he (she)should choose.
Psalm 25:12 HCSB
Lee’s Summit,MO; “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV
Kelly, Longmont, CO Psalm 25:4-5 NIV 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.
Anne, Glen Allen, VA, I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8 NIV
Jennie
Beaverton, OR
“…bearing with one another, and if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other. As the Lord has forgiven you, you must also forgive. And above all these, put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
Colossians 3:13-14
ESV
Teri, Troup Tx .
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12 NIV)
Kristel from Russellville, AR
Has the LORD ever needed anyone’s advice?
Does he need instruction on what is good or what
is best? Isaiah 40:14 NLT
Chery, York
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8
Lacey from Grand Rapids, MI
“The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.” Psalm 1:4 ESV
(Working my way through Psalm 1!) 🙂
Wendy from Acworth, Ga
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.
Phillipians 4:8 NIV
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.(Titus 3:3-5a NIV1984)
Mary Beth, Atlanta, GA
Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. Deuteronomy 6:4-6 (NASB)
Jan Horne, Bossier City, LA
You Lord are forgiving and good, abounding in loveto all who call to you.
Psalm 89:5 NIV
Rebecca Anderson, Phoenix:
My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. – Psalm 73:26 NKJV
Cindy, Clarksville TN: Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, And I will praise the Lord . (Psalms 118:19 NKJV)
Allison from Chicago
2 Timothy 1:7 Amplified bible
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7 AMP)
Lisa, Hurst, Tx
He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:8 NIV)
Amy, Snellville, GA
“All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13
Danika from Tulare, CA
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
Psalm 37:5
It’s from NIV
Cynthia, Massanutten, VA
Lord, I have heard the report about You;
Lord, I stand in awe of Your deeds.
Revive Your work in these years;
make it known in these years.
In Your wrath remember mercy!
Hab 3:2 HSCB
Lauren from Kigali, Rwanda “I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:1-2 ESV
Gail Dorn from San Antonio, TX says:
Rejoice in The Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Phil. 4:4-5. (NIV)
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you: he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
this comforts me.
“Let my sould be at rest again, for the LORD has been good to me.: – Psalm 116:7 (NLT)
Andrea, Pottstown
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus!
Hilary, Salem, OR
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
Ann, Lantana TX
In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB
Eileen, Georgetown, Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 KJV
Miranda- Pearland, tx Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. (2 Timothy 2:7 HCSB)
Olivia, Madison, MS,
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
Ephesians 6:16 ESV