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
Britney, Concord NC, “…If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31 (NIV)
Lezli. Oklahoma City, OK
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)
Susie, Korea
“Come to 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” Matthew 28:28-30 (NIV)
Pat Stokes
Portland, Texas
Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4 (NIV)
Jeanette from tualatin ,or
Ephesians 3:17-18
And I pray that you being rooted and established in love, may have power , together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.
Paula Hale, Brownwood, Texas
You crown the year with Your bounty and goodness, and the tracks of Your [chariot wheels] drip with fatness.
Psalm 65:11. AMP
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not,
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion”, says my soul,
Therefore I hope in Him.”
Lamentations 3:22-24 NKJV
Laura Jackson
Humble, TX
Psalm 92:12
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
“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
Christine in Columbus, GA
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails… And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. I Cor 13:4-8a, 13 (NIV84)
Riki-Leigh, Myrtle Beach SC
James 3:17
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy” NKJV
All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isa. 54:13 ESV
Susan Bymaster, Ames, OK
Amy, Sugar Land, Daniel answered and said, ” Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are His: Daniel 2:20 KJV
Laci F.
Ferris, TX
“Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony.”
– Colossians 3:12-14 (NLT)
Bless the Lord , O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord , O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalms 103:1-5 ESV)
Mary Collier, Virginia Beach, VA
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Kristen O, Moose Factory, Ontario.
Micah 6:8 {NIV}
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with your God.”
Joy, Clyde, OH
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous!
Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God
is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 NASB
Midland, TX
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4 (NIV)
Rachelle from Ann Arbor, MI
“To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy–to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Nedrea from Hoover, Alabama
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I Thessalonians 5: 16-18 (NIV)
Lauren, Kentucky, You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though He was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by His poverty He could make you rich.- 2 Corinthians 8:9, NLT.
Janice, Waco, Tx
“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Phillipians 3:13-14, NASB
Beth, Edmond, OK
Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
Bethany M, Evart, Mich., This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. I John 4:10 (NIV)
Julie, Broken Arrow, OK
Ransom me from the oppression of evil people; then I can obey your commands.
PS. 119:34 (NLT)
Deborah, Higden, AR
Romans 12:12 ~ rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer. NAS
Sandi, Drayden, MD
If you declare with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your hear that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Romans 10:9-10 NIV
Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you, says the Lord. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, i will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (NLT)
Emily Furda, Windber PA, Romans 6:14 (NET) “14 For sin will have no mastery over you, because you are not under law but under grace.”
Melissa Davis
Grand Junction, CO
“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, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20 NIV
For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In His love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons, through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will. Eph. 1:4-5 NIV
Carrie Wiley, McKinney, TX “I even I am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” Isaiah 43:25
Jennifer from Myrtle Beach, SC
“Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.” Rev 19:7 ESV
Cheryl Kennedy, Newville PA
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.
Romans 12:3
NLT
Denise from Burlington, VT
Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV
Melissa Albertson, Easley SC , Psalms 18:1 I will love you, oh Lord, my strength. NKJV
Charlene, Thomasville NC. “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
Stephanie, Tulsa Ok.
*Behold, God is my Helper, The Lord is the sustainer of my soul. (Psalm 54:4, nasb)
Trudy, Post Falls ID
2 Peter 1:9-10 (ESV)
9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.
10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
Priscilla Mesa, Arizona
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? Psalm 56: 3-4
Cheryl, Houston. Ps 34:4 NRSV “I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears”.
My small group and I will be memorizing:
Psalm 16:11(NIV)
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Jana, Brenham, TX
Proverbs 2:1-5, NIV
“My (daughter), if you accept my words,
And store up my commands within you,
Turning your ear to wisdom,
And applying your heart to understanding,
And if you call out for insight,
And cry aloud for understanding,
And if you look for it as for silver,
And search for it as for hidden treasure,
Then you will understand the fear of The Lord,
And find the knowledge if God.”
The last two words are “of God”. Sorry!!
Erika, from McKinney, TX, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. Phillipians 4:7 NIV
“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfuill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 King James
Debbie, Greenback, TN
He is your constant source of stability; He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; He gives all this to those who fear Him. Is. 33:6 NET
Just as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you; abide in my love. John 15:9 NIV
Theresa from Tenaha, Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind: for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth. Psalm 26:2-3 NIV
Rhonda
Gilmer
Philemon 3 (NKJV)
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.