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
Donna D., Dauphin, PA
WV- If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” (James 2:3 NIV)
James 2:26
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Hope from San Antonio
Ephesians 3:17-19(NIV)
So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Holly Monroe, MI
James 1:26 NIV
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
Natalie, Grand Prairie, TX.
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.
Psalm 143:8 NIV
Ft. Pierce
He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
John 7:38 KJV
Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.
Psalms 73:23-24 ESV
Martha from Van Buren, Arkansas-
Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. ESV
Judy, Littleton, CO
Hebrews 13:5 NIV
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you”.
Melanie, San Antonio, tx
Romans 6:1 (ESV)
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?
Karen, Dover, NH
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NIV
Tracy
Canton, GA
“Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord.”
Psalm 119:1
(NLT)
Grace from San Antonio
Psalm 29:3-4 (NIV)
The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is majestic.
Lori, Plano, TX
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Psalm 62:5-6 NIV
Lori, San Angelo, Tx
The steadfast love of The Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV
Buffi from Mission, TX
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (Hebrews 4:16 NLT)
Polly Helling
Inola, OK
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power if the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13 ESV
Brooke Wood, Bulverde, TX
Psalm 26:2 (NLT)
Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.
Jill Lewis
Princeton NC
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:9
KJV
Grace from San Antonio
Romans 6:6-7 (NIV)
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
DeFuniak Springs, FL
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” Ephesians 4:31 (NIV)
James 1:19-20
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 God desires.
NIV
Melisse, Slippery Rock, PA
Galatians 5:16, 17 NIV
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.”
Olda, Huntsville, AL
“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8,9
Brenda, Greenville SC
Dan. 2:21 NIV
He change times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes the. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
Olivia Hart, Puyallup WA
Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentence leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
2 Timothy 2:23-26, ESV
Annie, Alabama
Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Tamara
Kelowna, BC, Canada
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
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” John 14:1 NIV
Jazmin Horne
Tempe, AZ
Beth, Morristown-Psalm 27:13,14 NIV
13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
Atlanta, Georgia
Ephesians 3:20
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us.. NIV
nicole from parker, colorado
exodus 15:13
With your unfailing love you lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your might, you guide them
to your sacred home.
Heidi~Lindale, Texas
James 3:17 NIV
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
Faith W
Hartford, MI
You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Psalm 139:5-6 ESV
Kate from Parker, CO
2 Cor. 12:9 (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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Shelly – Lakewood, CA
I can all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
Leverett, MA
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.
Psalm 34:3 NASB
Bette, Bothell For we are God’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
Do not fear for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will lift you up with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Hebrews 12:1b NlrV “Let us keep on running the race marked out for us.”
Jane, Gulfport, MS – “And you know the way where I am going.” John 14:4 (NASB)
Cara from Houston, Tx
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, who also will do this. 1 Thess 5:23-24 LEB
Tyler, TX
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him.
Psalm 28:7 NKJV
Psalm 78:4-7 NIV
We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of The Lord, his powers and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our and ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.
Brenda S – Pewaukee, WI – “Praise be to the God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade, kept in heaven for you.” I Peter 1:3-4, New Living Translation
Jeri, Dexter NM
“As for God, His way is perfect: The Lord’s Word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him.”
2 Samuel 22:31 (NIV)
NIV
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Anna, Alabama: Everything is permissable for me, but not everything is helpful. “Everything is permissable for me,” but I will not be under the control of anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12, HCSV
Jule, Bowmansville. Isaiah 54:13(NKJV)
13All your children shall be taught by the LORD, And great shall be the peace of your children.