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
Amy from Tampa, FL
“Be still and know that I am God”
Psalm 46:10
NLT
Jennifer from New Market, TN
Ephesians 2: 8-9 (NIV)
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith– and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.
Jenna, Sandusky, Ohio. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 NASB
Rachel, Greenville,SC
Nahum 1:3, NKJV
The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked. The Lord has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet.
Beth, Ypsilanti
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Psalm 11:2 (NIV)
Melissa in Greer, SC:
You have granted me life and favor,
And Your care has preserved my spirit.
Job 10:12 NKJV
Diane, Charleston, IL
Ephesians 1:3-5 NIV
“Praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his (children) through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.”
Jennifer, Fort Worth
“You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim. 3:14-15 NKJV
Nicole, Tucson: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You [are] with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 NKJV
Mildred, Montserrat
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalms 32:5 NIV
Jessica, Fort Collins,CO
A soft answer turns away wrath. Proverbs 15:1, NIV
Kelly in Katy, TX
Psalm 16:8 (NIV)
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Rachel Bryant, Pineville, LA
A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. Prov. 12:26 NIV
Melissa Ball from North East, MD
Luke 22:42 NIV
Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.
Amanda T, Orlando Florida
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Stacey Masterson, Albuquerque, NM- Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 NIV
Karen – Houston TX
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 (NIV)
Claudia, Brunswick, GA
And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.
Ezekiel 36:26
Ahvy
Olathe Kansas
1Peter 2:24 ESV
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.
Carrie H., Houston, TX
“He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights.” Psalm 18:33 NIV
Kortney, Des Plaines
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV
Jen from Fredericksburg, VA
Whom have I in heaven but YOU? And earth has nothing I desire but YOU. Psalm 75:23 NIV
Jody from Traverse City, MI
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.
~Joshua 1:8 (NLT)
Sabrina S, Newton IA
Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
Phillipians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” RSV-2nd Catholic Edition
A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astrsy. Prov. 12:26 NIV
Lisa, Kathleen, GA
James 3:17 (NIV)” Buth 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.”
Jessica from Clare, MI
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.
~Joshua 1:8 (NLT)
Judy from Gladwin, MI
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.
~Joshua 1:8 (NLT)
Proverbs 22:6
Sandy
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Acts 20:24 NAS
But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of grace.
Erin Clark
Ponchatoula,LA
Psalm 28:7 NIV84
“the Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him
And I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
And I will give thanks
To him in song.
Cathy S., Chesapeake Beach, MD
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV
But, He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Thereofre, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Tammy
Ingleside, TX
Heather Miller, Greensburg, LA
3 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should not look out for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2: 3-4
Jennifer ~ Greensburg, LA
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end Lamentations 3:22 (ESV)
Emily Miller, Greensburg, LA
I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness;
I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.
Psalm 17:7 KJV
Megan, Bloomington IN
keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. -Jude 1:21 NIV
Christy; Nappanee, IN
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
Psalm 27:14
Kim,W.Richland
set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
2 Corinthians 1:22 NIV
Kristin, Searcy. And He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in and give us the land that He swore to give to our fathers. Deuteronomy 6:23 (ESV)
Melene, Chesapeake
Micah 6:8 NIV
He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?
Ouida in Trenton, TX
For the creation was subjected to futility – not willingly, but because of Him who subjected – in the hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of corruption into the glorious freedom of God’s children.
Romans 8:20-21 (HCSB)
Cathy, Jackman, ME: “I always thank my God for you because of the grace of God that was given to you in Christ Jesus. For you were made rich in every way in Him, in all your speech and in every kind of knowledge- just as the testimony about Christ has been confirmed among you- so that you do not lack any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:4-7 NET
Betsy, Lincoln Park, NJ
“For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” Romans 5:19 NIV
Debbie from Corpus Christi, Texas
“Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Phil. 4:7 NAB
Jennie from Seattle, ‘So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush.” Philippians 1:9, MSG
Leslie, Central Asia
Is. 41:13, ESV
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand, it is I who say to you, “Fear no, I am the one who helps you.”
Ali C. Haslett, MI
“In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loves us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.”
1 John 4:10 (NAB)
Dianne Trufant, Mt.Pleasant, NC
“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!”
Psalm 1:1 NASB
Erin from Denver, CO:
Exodus 14:14 (NIV):
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Look to the Lord and his strength ;seek his face always
Psalms 105:4 NIV