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
Brittany Fowler from Raleigh, NC: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2 ESV
Hannah B. Chesterland, OH
“But The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken from her.”
Luke 10:41-42 ESV
Sarah Wilkesboro NC
He Knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
Romans 8:27-28 MSG
Tammy/Siloam NC—-Haggai 1:5 Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: Give careful thought to your ways.(NIV)
Marie, Harrison.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
James 1:19-20, NIV
Annie Downs
Nashville, TN
Psalm 59:16 (NIV84)
But I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
Erin in Dumas
we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; (2 Corinthians 4:8, 9 NASB)
I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 kjv
Erin, Chicago
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. –Psalm 4:8 (NLT)
Jan, Santa Maria, CA; “So he answered and said to me: ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerebbabel; Not by might nor by power, but my My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6, NKJV
Holly. Longmont, CO
Let all that you do be done with love.
1 Corinthians 16:14 NKJV
June, Collinsville, IL
HEBREWS 11:1 (NLT)
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.
Pam, Brighton, CO
Colossians 3: 3-4 (ESV)
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Pam Kelly, Carrollton, TX “…to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 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 3:19-21 ( NKJV)
Jean – Waukee, Iowa
May (God) hear your prayers and be reconciled to you, and may he not forsake you in time of evil.
2 Maccabees 1:5
(RSV)
Amy from Savannah, GA
Genesis 22:3b
“…[Abraham] cut the wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him.”
Gayle, Thayer
Psalm 69:30 KJV
I will praise the Name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
Pat at Water Valley, MS
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Eph. 4:32 NIV
Psalms 139 13-14 NIV
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.
Jodell, Indiana, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2 NIV
Painesville, Ohio
Phil. 4:8 NIV
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.
Jan, Rockwall, TX
Psalm 63:8 NASB
My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.
Tanya, Charleston, SC: Isaiah 61:2, NIV. “To proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn.”
Lydia from Memphis TN. “Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust in the Lord will be happy.” Proverbs 16:20 NLT
Heather, London, ON
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” NIV
Ruth 2:12 (NIV)
May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD; the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.
Mary, Spring, TX
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are GOD. Psalm 90:2 NIV
Carolyn
Oceanside, Ca
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; My hope comes from him.
Psalm 62:5
Duluth, MN
Amy, Edmond OK
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
James 4:10 KJV
Kristi Tomlinson, Athens, TX “But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me. I, the LORD, have spoken!” Isaiah 54:17 NLT
Julie Elrod, Smyrna, GA: James 3:5-6 NIV “Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”
Fran W., Eden Prairie, MN
Philippians 4:19 NIV
And my God will meet all your needs
according to his glorious riches in
Christ Jesus.
So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. Ezekiel 37:7 ESV
Cheryl Cannon, Concord, NC
“”Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.”
Matthew 5.4 ESV
Karen P, Lexington, KY
“Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks”
Matthew 12:34 NIV84
Shawna Dazey Kent, WA
Colossians 4:5-6a
“Be wise in the way you act toward other; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace…”
Erin Sheldon
Savannah, GA
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
James 1:2-4
Cindy, Charleston, SC
2 Thess 3:3 (ESV) “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”
{My 5 year old has been keeping pace with me and my husband on this challenge. We’re memorizing as a family! She’s also learned John 3:16! Best NY’s resolution ever!!!)
Eva Chancy from Derby, Kansas
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I am awake, I am still with thee.
Psalm 139:17,18 KJV
casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 NKJV
Kelly from Sherman, TX: “For I will pour water on the thristy land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants and My blessing on your offspring.” Isaiah 44:3. HCSB
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.
Acts 20:24 NIV
Jane in Langley, “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deut. 31:6 (NLT)
Pat, Hot Springs, AR
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 KJV
Nayo from Evanston, IL
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:17 NIV84
Randee, Iowa
John 8:12 NKJ
Then Jesus spoke to them again saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
Valerie F, Warrensburg, MO
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)
Jennifer; Knoxville, TN:
The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just.
Psalm 37:20 NIV
Bethany Brown Niles MI–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 NIV)