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
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 ESV
Janet-Montgomery, New York
Colossians 2:10 NIV 1984
and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
Debbie – Las Cruces,N.M. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Kim, Fredericksburg, VA
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.
James 1:19, NIV
Ashley, Duette, Fl. 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 ( NIV84)
Chester, VA “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 entrust my life. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:8-10 (NIV)
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalms 18:2 NIV84
Kim Baker, Louisville, KY
1 Peter 4:8-9 ESV
8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Connie, Chariton, James 1:27 NKJV Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
Jane
Houston, Texas
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
Crystal from Phoenix, AZ:
“I am Your servant; give me discernment that I may understand Your statutes.”
Psalm 119:125 NIV
Beth, Gig Harbor
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete. lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4 (NASB)
Heather J. Temple Terrace, FL
Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is with you, the mighty warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.
Lisa C, Washington, IN
James 5:16 NIV
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Mary Ann, Lynchburg, VA
Prov 15:15: All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast. NKJV
Turkesshia, Greensboro, NC
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18(KJV)
Concetta, White Oak, TX, Psalm 105:4 NIV “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because he cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1 Pet. 5:6-8 NAS
J.J. from Longmont, CO.
James 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
NIV
Brandy H, Kingwood,TX
Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits. (James 1:9-11 NKJV)
Robin Fairfax, VA
Matthew 7:7-8
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who askes receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be open.
Ashley from Allen
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 our Lord.”
Jeri Stillwater, Ok
Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.
Psalm 141:10 (NIV)
April , Diboll,TX
Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody. Romans 12:18(GNT)
Susan N. Birmingham AL
Psalm 19:14(ESV)
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Jenni, Birmingham, AL “However, from there you will seek Adonai your God; and you will find Him if you search after Him with all your heart and being.” Deuteronomy 4:29 (Complete Jewish Bible)
Psalm 116:7 Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. NIV
Jen – Clearwater, FL
John 15:1-4 NIV ’84
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
Kimberli, Cottondale, AL
2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
Ally McGehee
Houston, Tx
“But the message is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may follow it.”
Deuteronomy 30:14 HCSB
Rachel ~ Appling, GA
JAMES 4.7 CEV
Surrender to God! Resist the devil, and he will run from you.
Cathy, Charlottesville VA
NET bible James 4:7 “So submit to God.But resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
Julia
Ft Worth, Texas
Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek,for they will inherit the earth.
Kim from Duncan, SC:
Just say “yes” and “no”. When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong. Matthew 5:37 The Message
Kadie- Tinley Park, IL
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
John 15:8 (NIV)
Ashlie Harrison
Clanton, AL
Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Heidi McClain
Fayetteville, GA
Deut. 7:6 NIV 1984
For you are a people holy to the LORD your God.
The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the people’s on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.
Psalm 19:14
New International Version (NIV)
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Ashleigh – Gadsden, AL
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (NLT)
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen
Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV
Shelby. Boerne, TX. “But God shows his love for us, because while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 CEB
Connie – Fulton, KY – Romans 15:13 NIV
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.
Kim, Petersburg, VA
“Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults,and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
Colossians 3:12-13, NLT
Sara, houma Louisiana
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:17 NKJV)
Judy Sommerville
Fairmont, MN
Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. NIV
Punky Tolson
Dallas, TX
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NIV84)
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor
demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be
able to separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus
our Lord. Romans8:38-39 NIV
Cottage Grove, MN
Romans 15:4
New International Version (NIV)
4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
Psalm 141:2. NRSV
Let my prayer be counted as incense before you and the lifting of my hands as an evening sacrifice.
Jackie, Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. Deut 28:12, NIV