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
Marissa, Houston, TX
Psalm 29:11
The Lord gives strength to his people;
the Lord blesses his people with peace. (NIV)
krystal, teague, tx
so then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7 NIV
Emily
Derby, ks
I repeat, be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic. For I The Lord your God, am with you in all you do.
Joshua 1:9
NET
Lindy White of Oklahoma City, OK
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
HEB 4:12, NIV
Michele Nampa, ID
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV)
Megan; Goodlettsville, TN
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”
-Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)
Natalie Johnson; Leesburg, GA; “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” Psalms 105:4; NIV84
Beth. St. Paul NIV
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Cindy Gandy
Hazlehurst, MS
Matthew 5:4 (NIV)
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Romans 8:28 (NKJ)We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Brenda, Deland, FL. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 NIV
Sandie from Red Deer Alberta, Canada
“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost”.
NLT but also like the NAS version
Sorry! Luke 19:10
Biloxi, MS
The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
Psalm 145:8
NIV
Shannon, Springdale, AR
Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God.
Phillippians 4:6 (HCSB)
Heather, Macon
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…”
-Isaiah 61:1 NIV
Look to the Lord and His strength;
seek His face always.
Psalm 105:4
2 Corinthians 5:20 (HCSB)
We are ambassadors for Christ; certain that God is appealing through us, we plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”
Janet, West Linn, OR
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1Peter 5:7 NIV
Megan from Potlatch, Idaho: The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places. Surely I have a delightful inheritance. Psalm 16:6 NIV
Starr, Panama Cify, FL
“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Valerie, Louisville
Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
-Ps. 63:7 NIV
Danielle, Evansville IN
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” Lamentations 3:22 (NIV)
Candis – Portland, TX I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galations 2:20 NIV
Bethany from Katy
Shannon, Tuscaloosa, AL
The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deut 31:8. NASB
Ashlee Cribb, Roswell, Georgia – “O Lord, I give my life to you. I trust in you my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.”. Psalm 25:1-3, NLT
Brandie, Kearney NE
“In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?”
Ps 56:4, NAS
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Bethany from Katy, TX, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NKJV
Carol Peavy, Jena, LA
6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.
7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful whereever you go.
Joshua 1:6-7 NIV
Kate, Millville, Canada
Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
2 Timothy 2:22 (NLT)
Tera Ferguson, Gardendale, Alabama
John 3:18 KJV
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Leigh from Vista, Ca.
1 Peter 3:4 (ESV)
but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11: 28-29. NIV
Cheryl from Louisville, KY:
Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 63: 7 – 8 NIV
Mary from Livonia, Mi Psalm 23: 1 – 6 NIV (with a touch of KJV)
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie to lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Even 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,
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love (mercy) will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Diana, Temple City, CA
“Fear not, for I am with you: Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strenghten you. Yes I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)
Joslin ~ 1 John 3:1 (NLT)
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.
Susan Record, Chapel Hill NC
You have searched me O Lord and you know me
Psalm 139:1 NIV
Rachel Ravellette, Lafayette, Indiana: “I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.” – Psalm 119:7, NIV
marlene. Lemoore,ca…..The lord is gracious and rightous; our God is full of compassion. The lord protects the simplehearted; when i was in great need, he saved me. Psalms 116:5-6
No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.
-1 John 3:9
“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” Mark 8:35-36 NASB
Warner Robins, GA
Terri Rubenstein of Morgantown, WV
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33; NIV84
Ashley from, Lubbock, Tx
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness.
Psalm 115:1 NLT
Michelle, Warner Robins GA
if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. (Job 11:14-16 NIV)
Leanne Stokes, Warner Robins, GA
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:11-12 (NIV1984)
Kelly, West Richland,
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Galatians 5:25 ESV
John 1:10-14 NIV
He was in the world and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father full of grace and truth.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord my rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NKJ