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
Psalm 100:5 KJV
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Connie
Bolingbrook, IL
1Peter 2:9 (NIV)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into HIs wonderful light.
Hannah , Tx
Ephesians 5:29 (NIV)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Kim, Louisvillel, KY
I love you, O LORD, my strength.
Psalm 18:1, ESV
Laura from Boynton beach, Fl
“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NLT
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1. NIV
Samantha from Texarkana, AR
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4 NASB)
Bonnie Wallace, Charleston SC
“Everything is permissible for me”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”–but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV84)
Karen of Richmond, Va – “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
Leslie, Simpsonville, SC
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Number 6:25 (NIV)
Stacey – Royal Oak, MI
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine…”
Isaiah 43:1 (ESV)
Lesley, Cypress, Texas
“Haven’t I commanded you:be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 HCSB
Sarah, Oklahoma City, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord , whose confidence is in him. (Jeremiah 17:7 NIV)
Jennifer Frisco, TX
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 (NIV)
Christa K, Lombard, IL
But let all who take refuge in You rejoice;
let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread Your protection over them,
that all who love Your name may be filled with joy.
Psalm 5:11 (NLT)
Chere, Milner, GA
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
Sarah in Manhattan, KS
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat. Psalm 19:5-6 (NIV1984)
Michelle, Minot, ND
You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deut 6:9
Mickie G., Arab, AL, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” – John 15:8, ESV
Odessa, TX
“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”
2 Chronicles 16:9a NIV
Bethany
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.
Psalm 103:1-5 (NIV84)
Marcia – Huntsville, AL
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:41, NIV
Cathryne, Fayetteville NC
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV
Gainesville GA
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Kathryn, West Palm Beach. “Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:3 NIV
Wynell, Athens Georgia
And I sent messengers to them saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” Nehemiah 6:3 ESV
Love each other as I have loved you
John 15:12 NIV
Caroline, Houston, TX
If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country — a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:15-16 NIV84
Paola
Pinellas Park,Fl
Psalm 33:11 NIV
the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Sandy, Rock” Hill, SC
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up again the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
Paola
Pinellas Park,Fl
Psalm 33:11 NIV
the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Cherie, Morgantown,WV
For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
1 THESSALONIANS 4:7 NIV
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God I’m Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Britt, Burlington, NC: think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. Proverbs 3:6 HCSB
Brittnie, Sugar Land, TX
Psalm 112:7
He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Laura, Boone, NC
Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his, we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Psalm 100:3 NIV
Katie -cypress, Tx
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV)
Amber from Fort Worth, Tx:
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience -Colossians 3:12 (NLT)
Lyndsay, New Castle, IN
Galatians 5:16 “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves”. (NLT)
Robbie, Michigan
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles comes your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
For you know that when you faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
James 1:2-3 NLT
Lindsay, Myrtle Beach, SC
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.
Psalm 139:11-12 (ESV)
Stephanie; Auburn, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord , and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. “(Psalm 1:1-3 NIV)
Sue C. Middletown, IN The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. (Isaiah 58:11 NIV)
I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him will bear much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing.
John 15:5
Krystal Holt, Fredericksburg, VA
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8 ESV
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 ESV
lynn, Louisville, KY
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ii Peter 1:8
Angela
Frisco, Texas
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Phillipians 4:13 NLT
Amber B., Vicksburg, MI. Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)
lynn , Louisville, KY
verse II Peter 1:8 is the NASB version.