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
Deborah from Calgary Alberta Canada, “Be joyful in hope, patient in love, faithful in prayer.”Romans 12:12 NIV
Laurie, Gibsonville, NC
“You live in a mountain fortress because your pride makes you feel safe from attack, but you are mistaken. I will still bring you down, even if you fly higher than an eagle or nest among the stars. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Obadiah 1:3-4 CEV
Lisa, Davidsville, PA
For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness.
Psalm 18:28 ESV
Wendy, Sedalia MO
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
-1 Peter 3:8 (NIV)
Hannah-College Station, TX
“For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” Psalm 107:9
Make me to know your ways, O Lord teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long,
Psalm 25:4-5 ESV
Rom 8:13a NIrV
If you live under the control of your sinful nature, you will die.
Mollie from Garland, TX
“In Your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.” Psalm 18:29 NLT
Mandy Russell
Byram, MS
“Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me.”
Isaiah 30:15
The Message
Kelsie, Searcy, AR
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of The Lord and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a free planted by streams of water , which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Psalm 1:1-3 NIV
Mandy from Imperial, CA
But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to The Lord because he is good to me. Psalm 13:5-6 NLT
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Karen from Jacksonville, FL
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB
Jill Hsieh, Aurora, IL, Hebrews 12:3 “Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” NIV 1984
Christain Kotoucek, Norman, OK
For we are Godâs masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10 NLT
Abby, Van Alstyne
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10 NKJV)
Cari Brenek
Isaiah 40 :30 “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
Deborah from Seward, Alaska
One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
Psalm 27:4 NIV
Gena Carter, Conway, AR
Psalm 40:1-3 NIV
I waited patiently for the Lord;
He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
Out of the mud and mire;
He set my feet on a rock
And gave me a firm place to stand.
Melissa, Carrollton TX. “We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character, hope. Romans 5:2a-3 NIV
Lore, Houston, TX
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it in hope… Romans 8:18-20, NIV
Pam, Sioux Falls, SD
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18, NIV
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my motherâs womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)
Chrissy Hilliard, Aurora, IL. “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because
it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes; first
for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” -Romans 1:16 NIV
Susan, Carbondale, IL
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to Godâthis is your spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1 NIV84)
Emily Linhardt, Olathe, KS
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
James 1:19-20, NIV
Laura~Saskatchewan,Can
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:12 NIV
Sharla, Granbury TX
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him. Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7, NLT
Tara Greenville, SC
“You are my God. Show me what you want me to do, and let your gentle Spirit lead me in the right path.” (Psalms 143:10 Contemporary English Version UK)
Valerie, Virginia Beach, VA
“Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and defense;
he has become my salvation.”
~Isaiah 12:2, NIV
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”
~Philippians 4:8 NIV
Beth, Niamey
Isaiah 14:24 The Lord Almighty has sworn,âSurely, as I have planned, so it will be,and as I have purposed, so it will stand.”
NIV
My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Psalm 130:6 NIV
Amy
Oklahoma
Open my eyes, that I might behold wonderful things from your law.
Psalm 119:18 ESV
Julie from Gresham, OR.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. Proverbs 18:10 (ESV)
Gail. Houston. Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust in The Lord with all your heart and he will direct your paths. (Stop relying on me and trust Jesus)
Esther, Lancaster, PA Don’t be deceived my dear brothers, every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth that we might be a sort of first fruits of all He created. James 1:16-18. NIV
In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6 (NIV)
Rebecca Alburn
Salem, OR
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV)
We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not in despair;
persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but not destroyed.
Bailey, Knoxville, TN
Isaiah 61 NIV
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim 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..
Susan, Katy,TX . Rejoice in the LORD always; again I will say Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand. Phil 4:4-5 (ESV)
ASV James 1:1-5
1. James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.
2. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3. knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Becca, St. Paul, MN; Luke 14: 28-30 MSG âIs there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so youâll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, youâre going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: âHe started something he couldn’t finish.â
Cindy in Colorado
2 Cor 13:5 – Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. NIV
Rinday; Hiawassee, GA
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 NIV
Valerie, Nashville, “I sought the LORD and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 (NASB)
Sorry, I did it again, my version is NASB
Madison, Ms
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”
Psalms
Cheryl, Midlothian Va
The Lord longs to be graciosu to (me) , He rises to show ( me ) compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for Him.
Isiah 30:18 NIV
Terri Frasure from South Lebanon, Ohio
“Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 2:5 (HCSB)