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
Shauna from Aurora, NE
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30, NIV
Arie in Portland, OR
Psalm 5:3 NIV
“In the morning, LORD, You hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests
before you
and wait expectantly”
Megan, Fairborn, OH:
Let the bones you have broken rejoice. Psalm 51:8
Shirley Barry, Mooresville, NC
“I desire to do your will, my God;
Your law is within my heart.”
Psalm 40:8 NIV
You discern my going out and my lying down. You are familiar with all my ways.
Ps. 134:3 NIV
Corley in Conway, AR
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6.9, NIV
And those know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 NASB
Kim Dent, Corrales, NM “Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.” Psalm 91:3 NIV
Kristen – Greenwood, IN
“The Lord is my strength and my shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” Psalm 28:7 (NLT)
Leslie, Spartanburg, SC, Psalm 20:4 NIV “May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed”
Beth, Minneapolis, MN
“He has showed, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
Connie, Shorewood,IL
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. (Psalms 37:23 NLT)
Psalm 16:8 (ESV)
I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Kristi, Pensacola, FL:
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.
Colossians 3:12, The Message
Jenny, Scottsdale
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)
Amy, Osceola, AR “My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be moved.”
Psalms 62:5,6
Christy, Tulsa,
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalms 23:4 ESV)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. 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 12:1-2 NIV
Tracy, Sidney, Ohio
Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. Psalm 103:2 NLT
Christine, SLC
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
John 15:11, ESV
It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. 2 Samuel 22:33 NIV
Leanne, Eden Prairie, MN
So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34 NET
Chelsey in Amarillo, TX
“Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:17 (NIV)
Michaela from Overland Park, KS
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3: 5-6 NLT
Dimy Mixon from Griffin, Ga:
“For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”~Psalm 91:11 (KJV)
Dana, Shawnee, KS
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 NIV
Wendy, Cary NC:
“Confess your sins to each other & pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.” (James 5:16, NLT)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 ESV
Donna, Marina Ca
For thus says the Lord God, Behold, I Myself will search for my sheep and seek them out.
Ezekiel 34:11, NASB
Dayla, Springfield, MO
I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble, but be brave! I have defeated the world.
John 16:33 New Century Version
Columbus, OH
Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer & petition, with thanksgiving prsent your requests to God and the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
For with God nothing will be impossible. Luke 1:37(NKJV)
Kaci, Moultrie, GA
“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
Rachel, Frankfort, IL
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
John 15:8 NIV
Tenda in Bellevue, WA
“For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”
Hebrews 10:14 (NIV)
Lyndsey – Asheville, NC
Psalm 13:5-6
“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.” (NIV 84)
Linda, Tyler TX
Abraham called the name of that place The LORD Will Provide, as it is said to this day, “On the Mount of the Lord it will be provided”. Genesis 22:14 NASB
Taylor, Temple, TX
“These have come so that your faith- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
1 Peter 1:7 (NIV)
Carly L, Parrish, FL. 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV). Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
PerryLove, Gallatin, TN “Show me your ways, 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
Julie,Warner Robins,GA. Dear children,let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18 NIV
Kim, Tucson, AZ
Psalm 18:19 NCV
Because he delights in me, he saved me.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Bridget Fisher – Moore, OK
Proverbs 11:17 (MSG)
When you’re kind to others, you help yourself; When you’re cruel to others, you hurt yourself.
1 Peter 4:8. NIV. Above all, love each other deeply.
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Carol from Santa Maria,CA, Hebrews 12:11-13
11 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.
12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
13 Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame
may not be disabled, but rather healed.
Catherine, Monahans, Texas
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” I Peter 4:8 NIV84
Nicole from Norman, OK
Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished! Luke 1:45 (NIV)