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
Judith, Manhattan, KS
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19-20, NIV
Laura, Little Rock, AR. “Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything 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.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV 84)
casey from texarkana, tx, We were given this hope when we were saved. If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently. romans 8:24-25 NLT
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45 NIV
Emily from Birmingham, Alabama …
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, He may give it to you.” John 15:15 (ESV)
Margo Littleton, CO
Philippians 4:4-7 (ESV)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Karen from Leeds, AL
24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:24,26 NIV
Polly,Houston.Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. (NIV84)
Tanya, Somerville, TN
Romans 5:1 “Since we have been justified
through faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ.” NIV
Jamie ~ Mobile, AL ~ 2 Timothy 1:14 NCV Protect the truth that you were given; protect it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
Tammy, Van, TX 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(NIV1984)
Dulcena, Pineville, KY
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 ESV)
Julie, Madison, GA
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17-18 NKJV
Ecclesiastes 3:7 KJV A time to rent and a time to sew; a time to keep silent and a time to speak.
Dana, Avon, IN:
Heal me O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.
Jeremiah 17:14 (ESV)
Shannon, Jacksonville, FL, “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, NIV84
Kim,Clevedon,UK Psalm 102 : 2 “Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.” NIV  Â
Tess
Cartersville, GA
Isaiah 59:1 ESV
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear
Amy Toney, Houston:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”…For the sake of Christ then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamaties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV)
Tammy from Fairhope, For I know the plans I have for you, declares The Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer. 29:11 (NiV)
Staci
Corona, CA
Hosea 2:19-20
[esv]
And I will betroth you to me forever.
I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice,
in steadfast love and in mercy.
I will betroth you to me in faithfulness.
And you shall know the Lord.
Jennifer from Richmond, Va
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; May your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:10 NIV
Susan from Jacksoville,Florida
“For we are Christ’s masterpiece, He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago” Ephesians 2:10 NLT
My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever
Psalm 73:26 NKJV
Rebecca Jo
Greenville, Indiana
“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise” -Proverbs 10:19
Orlando, FL
And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
Revelation 21:3 NKJV
Cyndi Pensacola, FL
For You, Lord are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all who call upon You.
Psalm 86:5 (NASB95)
Kathy, Warsaw
The Spirit if 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
Angie G
Albertville AL
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. John 15:4 NASB
Cooking Up Faith –
May God bless you richly and grant you increasing freedom from all anxiety and fear. 1 Peter 1:2 (LBE)
Bethany Shelton – Salem OR – “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (II Corinthians 12:9 NKJV)”
Angie W. Fedeal Way, WA
Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD that He may come and rain righteousness upon you. Hosea 10:12 ESV
Betty, Wendell, NC
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV84
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Stacie Barr
Tenaha, Texas
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Isaiah 52:7 (NIV)
Stacey, Madison, GA:
13.He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Psalm 91: 4-8
Amanda & Anna Louise, Memphis, TN
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, teaching us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.”
Titus 2:11-12 ESV/NIV
Ann, San Antonio – Pero Dios demuestra su amor por nosotros en esto: en que cuando todavĂa Ă©ramos pecadores, Cristo muriĂł por nosotros. Romanos 5:8 (NVI)
Christina, Decatur.
“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)
Melanie, Armuchee, GA
“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”
Proverbs 24:3-4 (ESV)
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 (NIV1984)
Natalie, Canton, Georgia- “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand”. Psalm 16:11 (NIV)
Michele,Indiana- “May he give you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” Psalm 20:4
Courtney, Knoxville, TN – “Now consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won’t grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:3 (HCSB)
Lisa, Charleston, SC
Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind
and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
Proverbs 3:5 AMP
Cochranville, PA
This is a trustworthy saying and everyone should accept it: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 1Timothy 1:15-16 (NLT)
Nancy, Lee’s Summit, MO
That the God of our LORD Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
Ephesians 1:17 NKJV
Diane Jackson, Wood River, IL
John 16:24 (Amplified): Up to this time you have not asked a [single] thing in My Name [as presenting all that I AM]; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.
Marky, Idaho – Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:34 NIV
Marsha, Knoxville, TN
Let’s learn about the Lord. Let’s get to know the Lord. He will come to us as sure as the morning comes. He will come to us like the autumn rains and the spring rains that water the ground. Hosea 6:3 (GWT)
Lindsey
Gulfport,MS
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight”
Proverbs 3:5-6
NIV