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
Rachel
Huntsville, AL
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Psalms 91:11, ESV
Tracey Nave, Seminole, TX
Because thy loving kindness is better than life; my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live; I will lift up my hands in thy name.
Psalm 63:3-4
KJV
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Psalm 139:3 NIV
Mineral Wells, Texas
Krissy from Scottsdale, AZ: “He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30 NIV
Susan, Saint Peters, MO For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12 NIV)
Erin B., League City, TX.
Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.
Luke 1:78-79 NLT
Leah from Nashville, TN
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 ESV)
Pam G, Oregon
1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV84)
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
For we walk by faith, not by sight, and we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:7-8 hcsb,kj, ks
Vanessa, RIo Rancho NM
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence in in hIm. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Corinthians 5:7 NKJV
That should be 2 Corinthians 5:7
Katie ~ Jonesboro, AR
“For NOTHING is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 (NIV)
Sarah, Lincoln, Nebraska
“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.”
(NASB)
Christy M., Coeur d’Alene, ID
Ephesians 4:2 NIV
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love,”
Emily Byrd: Baton Rouge, LA
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
James 1:17, NASB
Brenda Hayden
Auburn, Washington
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
ESV. Romans 12:2
Katie Swaney (McDonough, GA) – But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)
CHRISTIE – Graham, WA – “But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.” Philip. 1:22 NASB
Janet from St. Louis
Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Brenda, Houston, Tx
The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy. Psalm 147:11 NKJV
NLT
“Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done.”
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” James 2:12-13
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
Hebrews 6:10
Marita, Maricopa, AZ
“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. …”
1 Chronicles 16:9 (ESV)
Katy, Frisco,TX
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
James 2:12-13
Merissa, Calgary, AB: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men…” Colossians 3:23 NIV
Bethany from Chillicothe, MO
Mark 12:43-44 (NASB)
Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.
Cadence from Chillicothe, MO
Mark 12:43-44 (NASB)
Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.
Shelly Wilson, Fort Worth
Exodus 14:14 (NIV) – The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Debbie Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV
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
Brenda S, Chicago
If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17, 18 NIV)
Leslie, Sand Springs, OK, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 (ESV)
Yvonne, Riverside, CA
Oh give thanks to the Lord , call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders. ~Psalms 105:1-2 (NASB)~
Toni Reno
Jay, Oklahoma
Ephesians 1:4 NIV
“For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.”
Sheila Gibe
Jay, Ok
Ephesians 1:4 NIV
“For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.”
Jada, Aurora, MO
Matt 6:34 (NLT) “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring it’s own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today”
Christina Frailey Modesto, Ca
He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly,
To love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8 NKJV
“God is the blessed controller of ALL (emphasis mine) things, over the king, over all Kings and Master of all masters.”
(Phillips Tranlation)
I Timothy 6:15
Danny
Phoenix, Arizona
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6, 7 NKJV)
Amy D., Thousand Oaks, CA: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:9-10, NIV
Deborah, Nashville TN
Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 (AMP)
Andrea, Fort Collins, CO. And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits it’s appointed time; it hastens to the end–it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:2-3 ESV
Rachel, Nashville Tn
Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 (AMP)
Hannah, Fort Worth, TX, But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17, NIV
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)
Ashley P; Colorado Springs: “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” NIV84
Leah – Ramona, CA
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. – Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
Kelly, Yucaipa, CA, “Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.” John 3:11 NKJV
June from Coarsegold, CA:
“Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs him down, but an encouraging word brings him joy. Proverbs 12:25 NET