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
Tasha, Springfield Mo. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matt 6:33,34
Gerri from Des Moines, WA
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want, He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in the 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 will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:1-6 NIV
Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
Show me your ways, Lord,
Teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God, my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Kim
Des Moines, IA
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Wendy G., Anderson, IN
Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)
“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”
Sharon B., Hallsville, TX “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16 HCSB
Meg Brown, Columbus, OH:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Tim. 1:7 NLT
But seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as
well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for
tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough
trouble of its own. Matt 6:33,34 NIV
“Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.” Psalm 119:91 NIV
Tracy from Wichita Falls, Psalm 21:6. “Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.”. NIV
Amanda, Montgomery, AL
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Traci, Colonial Heights, VA
James 4:17
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
Holley Little – Benton, Ar – Isaiah 32:17 NIV “The fruit of the righteousness will be peace; it’s effect will be quietness and confidence forever.”
MaryClare Hill in Frisco, Texas
Do not conform to the pattern of the 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
Caprice
Kokomo
“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:32
Stacy, Greenfield, Indiana
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 NIV
Ronda from Marion IN
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. Eph 3:20-21 NIV
Jesus replied: Love The Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Matthew 22:37 NIV
Kelly in Independence, MO
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
DeAnne W. from Bothell, WA
But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands. Ps. 31: 14, 15a
Mindy from Alabama – “a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build” – Ecc.3:3 NIV
“And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:4 ESV)
Renada Sedalia, CO.
Anyone who says he is a christian but doesn’t control his sharp tongue is just fooling himself, and his religon isn’t worth much
James 1:26 The living Bible
Kristi, White Pigeon, Michigan – “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 4:8 NIV
Look to The Lord and His strength; seek His face always.
1 chronicles 16:11 NIV
Michele from west palm beach:
“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.” (Galatians 5:16, 17 NIV84)
brook hensley
santa monica, ca
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
James 4.5-6 niv 84
Betsy C, Maryville, TN
1Peter 1:1-2 NASB “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Capadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.”
Janice, Bakersfield, CA
Oh God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1 NIV
Trinidad, CO
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
John 12:24 KJV
Jeri Cook
Missouri City, TX
Psalm 4:3. ESV
But know that The LORD has set apart the godly for Himself; the LORD hears when I call to Him.
Lori, Fort Wayne, IN “Commit your way to The Lord; trust also on Him, and He will do it.” Psalm 37:5 NASB
Amber Zaccagni, Birmingham, AL (formerly Nashville – just moved last week)
Philippians 3:12-14 The Message
I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have made it. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward – to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.
Ava from Wichita Falls
Psalm 21:6 “Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him
glad with the joy of your presence.”
NIV
Cheryl, Fort Portal, Uganda
Psalm 116:7 (NIV)
“Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.”
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5 Kim Wilson Plano,TX
Irene, Clarksville, TN
You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now LIVE Him…and let your living spill over into thanksgiving.
Colossians 2: 6-7
(The Message)
Proverbs 6:16-19:New American Standard
16. there are six things which the Lord hates, Yes seven which are an abomination to Him:
17. haughty eyes,a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood.
18. A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil.
19. A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.
Katie, Clovis, CA “Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;you are exalted as head over all.”
1 Chronicles 29:11 (NIV)
Kathy, Lake Jackson, Texas
I am weary from grief; strengthen me through Your word.
Psalm 119:28 (HCSB)
Maly,Marysville, OH
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NLT
Kaylin. Searcy, AR
Hosea 12:6 NIV
But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.
Tracey Moyers from Loganvile, GA
“Show me your ways, O Lord teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
Paula, Houston, TX
I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end, he will stand upon the earth.
Job 19:25, NIV
Clancie, Elizabethtown, KY
Then those who feared the Lord talked often one to another; and the Lord listened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who reverenced and worshipfully feared the Lord and who thought on His name.
Malachi 3:16, AMP
Paige, Plano, TX
Psalms 27:14 (NLT)
Wait patiently for The Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for The Lord.
Kaitlin, Mound, MN
“I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and make you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.” Isaiah 42:6-7 NIV84
Jess R, Katy, Tx
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-5 NIV
Carol from Billings, MT
Isaiah 40:29 NIV
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.