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
Mary, Westfield, NJ
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” James 1:2-3 (NIV)
Melissa
Midlothian,VA
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.” Psalm 28:7 NIV
Sherry, Mill Creek. Therefore then since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (who have borne testimony to the Truth), let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1 AMP
Kim, Loganville, GA
“23May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.”
I Thes. 5:23-24
NIV
Becca Frischhertz from Pearl River, LA
“Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 (HCSB)
Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
Romans 12:9-10-NRSV
Hannah, Lake Charles, LA, “For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith– and it is not by yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works so that no one can boast for we are God’s handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV
Beth Love, Warminster,PA
Matthew 5:44 (ESV)
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalms 139:13, 14 NIV
Val
Ann Arbor, MI
Philippians 4:6,7 NKJV
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.
kathy from leesville And whatever you do whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 NIV
Diana–San Patricio, TX. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Susan-Murfreesboro, TN – “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32 (NIV)
Jennifer
Woodbury, CT
Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Angie, Lee’s Summit
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen!
Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Phyllis – Amarillo, TX
The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV 1984
Kristy – Tallahassee, FL “For this reason I kneel before the FatherĀ from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.” Ephesians 3:14-15 HCSB
Angela from Oklahoma City, OK plowing through Isaiah 58. Here’s verse 3 from NLT: “We have fasted before You!” they say. “Why aren’t You impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and You don’t even notice it!”
“I will tell you why!” I respond. “It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves.
Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers.”
I will say of the Lord,He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. Psalms 91:2 KJV
Beverly from Franklin, NC: “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Amy Cady
Waipahu, Hawaii
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 2:3-5 (NIV84)
Julie, Menomonee Falls, WI
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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
Brenda, Collinston
Isaiah 54:13 All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. ESV
Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
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.
I Peter 4:9-10 (NIV)
9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of Godās grace in its various forms.
Kimberly Atkins
Garland, TX
Meredith, Louisville, KY
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her! Luke 1:45
Kristy from Cedar Park, Texas: 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
Sheila, Bethesda
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.
Titus 2:11-12 ESV
Bethany, Boerne, tx.
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be NY disciples. John 15:8 KJV
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 1 Corinthians 10:4 NIV
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive (aka willing to yield!), full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
James 3:17-18 NIV
Cause me to hear your lovingkindness in the morning, for in you do I trust.
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you.
Psalms 143:8-9 ASV
Tonya from Campbellton, TX
Mark 9:23-24(KJV)
23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
Hebrews 10:35-36 (NLT)
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do Godās will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
Debbie Mayo. Decatur,AL
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1. KJV
Vivian, Birmingham, Alabama
Because of the truth that resides in us and will be with us forever; Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, in truth and love. II John 2-3 NET Bible
Emily, Topeka, Kansas
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
James 1:2-6 (NIV)
Allison from Nashville, TN
“Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.”
Matthew 6:21, NLT
Linda ā¢ Hot Springs, AR
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” delcares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8 niv
Pam, Green, OH
I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all your marvelous works. Psalm 9:1 NKJV
Allyson, Summerville SC
“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” Romans 5:3, ESV
Elaine, Jefferson
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an arch to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.
By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign county; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise
Heb 11:7-9 NIV
Kimberly, Madison, ME: 1 John 4:18, NKJV “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”
Kristi Parris, Piedmont,Al
Deuteronomy 6:5 ESV
“You shall love The Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
Dolly Middletown, OH
Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. 2 Tim 1:9 NKJV
Mary, Barboursville, Virginia
” By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”
John 15:8, ESV
Eniola, Madrid Spain
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Dina haynie,fla
The Lord your God is with you,He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you,He will quiet you with His love,He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 (niv)
Tomi, Des Moines
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. Romans 15:13 NIV