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
“I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.”
Psalm 63:4
Ashley, Frisco, TX
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.
Psalm 62:5-6 NLT
Bonnie B. from Florence, Colorado
“Therefore, we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard,
lest we drift away from it.”
Hebrews 2:1
ESV
Rhonda, Hattiesburg MS:
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” NIV
Woodstock, Ga.
Let your conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:6(NIV)
Christine, Lewisburg PA
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9 NIV84
Lizz, Brick NJ
Psalm 56:3
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.
NASB
Karin
Pittsburgh, PA
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Ephesians 6:10-11
Darcy, Pittsburgh
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
Proverbs 27:17, NLT
Mallory in Carbondale, IL
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”
Philippians 3:8 (ESV)
Ann; Charlotte NC
“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Luke 1:45 NIV
Beth from Vancouver, Canada
“Be anxious for nothing,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 minds through Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6 and 7 NKJV
Rockmart, GA
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28, NKJV
Ashley from Amarillo…
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galations 5:22-23 NASB
Marcie, Concordia, KS.
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are all “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 2 Cor. 1:20 NIV
Lindsay E. in Houston, TX
“But do you suppose this, o man, when you pass judgement on those who practice such things and do them same yourself, that you will escape the judgement of God? Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” Romans 2: 3&4, New American Standard Bible
Anisha McKinney, TX
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:3&4 NIV
Boise, Idaho
If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
Colossians 3:1 & 2 NASB
Cindy from New Market
“Consider is all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,”
James 1:2 NASB
Terri, Papua New Guinea. “As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:3b, NIV.
Andria from Virginia:
“Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Phil 4:6 NIV
Seek the Lord and the strength he gives! Seek his presence continually! Psalm 105:4 (NET)
Amy, Haskell, “So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time.” 1 Peter 5:6 MSG
Leah, Houston, TX
“God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.”
NIV84
New International Version
Psalms 139:3
You discern my going out and my lying down;
You are familiar with all my ways
Kerry from NJ
I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Philippians 3:12 MSG
Cyndy, Huntingdon, PA “who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases” Psalm 103:3 NIV
“The heart of the wise makes his [her] speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his [her] lips.” Prov 16:23 ESV
Joshua 1:8-9 NLT Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Philippians 4:6-7 NASB
6-be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7-and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Michele; very cold Minneapolis, MN 🙂
If you remain in Me and My words remain in you,
ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.
John 15:7 HCSB
Katherine, Charlottesville, VA:
Rom. 12:12 (CEV)
“Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying.”
Jessica Gunby
Elizabethtown Kentucky
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
Hebrews 4:15 ESV
Diane from Littleton, CO
Ephesians 1:19-20 NIV
…and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms….
Lea Ann McFarland – McKinney, TX
“This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” NIV
Kelly
Daphne, AL
Revelation 17:14
They will make war against the Lamb, but the lamb will overcome them because he is Lird of lords and King of kings-and with him will be his called, chosen, and faithful followers.
Caitlin, McKinney, TX
“As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Ephesians 6:6-7, NLT
Mary from PA-Ephesians 3:20 NLT
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Janet, Flower Mound, Texas
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 4:8, ESV
Vanessa from Rogersville, MO
For it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16. NIV
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NKJV
Sharon from Van TX
Glorify the Lord with me. Let us exalt His name together!
Psalm 34:3 NIV
Tina from Ohio
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
Psalm 51:6 NKJV
Meredith, Cleveland OH
However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Eph. 5:33 NIV
Lindsey, Nashville. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Lisa McGriff, Abbeville, AL
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30 NIV
2Timothy 1:7 “Those who receive the Holy Spirit receive the Spirit of power and of love and sound of mind”. “for the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid but gives us the power love and self- discipline”.
“My soul waits in silence for God only.”
~ Psalm 62:1 (NIV)
Lynn, Lake Villa, IL
Joshua 1:8 NLT
Study this book of instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
Kelli, Southeastern Colorado
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings.
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
James 1:1-3
NIV 1984
Starting Ms. Beth’s James study….