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
Heather W – Nederland, TX
“I urge you,first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.” 1 Tim 2:1 (NLT)
Rachelle, Gardner, KS “Commit your actions to the Lord,
and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3, NLT
Julie from Boyertown, PA
“Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy.” Colossians 1:11, NKJV
Kayla Haddon. Edmond, ok. “Humble yourselves in the sight of The Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:10 KJV
Pamela Springfield, MO
“In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.”
Ephesians 1:11 NIV
Paula, Island Lake, IL
Habakkuk 3:19 NASB
“The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places.”
Karen, Lake Jackson.
“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Mathew 19:26 NIV
He put a new song in my mouth,
A hymn of praise to our God,
Many will see and fear,
And put their trust in the Lord.
Psalms 40:3 (NIV)
Summer C, Fuquay Varina, NC
1 Peter 1:13 NIV 1984
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Kathy, Jay, Ok
But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5 NIV84
“Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Keri, Cardiff CA “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us, with groans that words cannot express.” Romans 8:26 NIV
Kathy, Jonesboro, AR
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
Marina from Kansas City
“I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”
Psalm 40:8 ESV
Teri from Tampa, Florida
Verse #3 Colossians 1:10
10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Janice Kelly
Bridge City, TX
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Nicole, Greenfeild, IN
“For i know the plans I have for you,” decalres the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13(NIV)
Heather from Auburn, AL
“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” Psalm 105:4 NLT
Loribeth, Houston
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 (for His glory). 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
Thanks, most importantly, for the ministry of you all to encourage and stir up the Holy Spirit in our lives to grow in His word. Oh, and for allowing me to make my third attempt at the right timing to post these from Stafford, Texas:
Philippians 4:7-9 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Vanessa from Victoria, TX
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
“Keep this book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night. Then yhou will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you whereever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9
Wendy, Pendleton, IN
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.
Isaiah 40:28 NASB
Shelly~ Golden, CO
The Lord your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
New International Version
Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and affliction for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes and you will hear a voice say “This is the way; turn around and walk here.”
Isaiah 30:20-21 New Living Translation
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV
John 15:7 ESV
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Pam Williams, Olive Branch, MS
Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:9-10 NLT
Wendy from Abilene, TX
“And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Teri, Wayne, MI
They will build the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities which have been devastated for generations. – Isaiah 61:4 NIV
Hannah, New Albany
“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 (NIV)
Elisa from Wichita Falls
Do everything in love. (1 Corinthians 16:14 NIV)
Kim B.- Orlando, FL
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
Julie, Amarillo
“Lord you light my lamp, my God illuminates my darkness.
With you I can attack a barrier, and with my God I can leap over a wall.
God-His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
For who is God besides Yahweh? And who is a rock? Only our God. Psalm 18:28-31(HCSB)
I will praise the Lord , who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. (Psalms 16:7 NIV84)
Claire, Bangkok:
“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” – Jeremiah 29:11 MESSAGE
Andrea Purcell
New Palestine , IN
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
-John 16:33
Kerri, Lakeland FL
“From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.”
John 1:16 NLT
Sue, Texarkana,TX, Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”
Megan JOY Burdzy – Calgary Alberta, Canada – He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. – Deuteronomy 8:3 (NIV)
Deonne from Marshall Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who gives me strength.
Vanessa, Montgomery, AL
James 1:19 NIV
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,”
Jena from ashland, ohio
Hebrews 11:6 NIV84
Without faith it is impossible to ease God, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
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,and to know this love that surpasses knowledge– that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:18-19 NIV
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again- my Savior and my God! Psalm 42:11, NLT
Yvonne, King, NC
The Lord God has given me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to listen as a disciple. Isaiah 50:4 New American Standard Bible
Ashley-Pottsville, AR
Psalm 105:1 KJV
O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the people.
El Cerrito, California
Joshua 1:8
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. (ESV)
Emily, Oxford, For this very reason, add to your faith goodness, and to goodness knowledge. 2 Peter 1:5 NIV
from Houston
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
-John 15:12 (NIV)