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
Monica, Blacklick Ohio. Psalm 51:1 ” Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.” ESV
Prov 3:5-6 NIV
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Jan. Troy, AL. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. Psalm 18:29 NIV
Dawn, Chesterfield, SC: Philippians 1:20 (NCV) “I expect and hope that I will not fail Christ in anything but that I will have the courage now, as always, to show the greatness of Christ in my life here on earth, whether I live or die.”
Karen, Chichester, NH
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body will also rest secure.
Psalm 16:8-9 (NIV)
Hannah. Dayton,OH. “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
Jan,Athens,Ga: “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait on the Lord” Ps 27:14, NIV
Rachel, Alpharetta,GA-
Therefore, as God’s chosen people holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12
Joyce, Suwanee, Georgia
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5-22-23
Beth A., Overland Park, Kansas:
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”
– 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Mary
Houston, Tx.
James
1:2-4(NKJV)
My brethren count it all joy when you fall into various trials. Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing.
Isaiah 41:10 NASB
Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Karessa, Peoria, IL: and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one. Ephesians 6:15-16 ESV
Melissa Marks
Katy, TX
2 Timothy 1:12 KJV
For the which cause I suffer these things: Nevertheless I am not ashamed: For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Miranda Greenville,SC
Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be shaken. (Psalm 62:5, 6 NLT)
Patti Broer, Summerset, SD “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 30:31 NAS
Connie Feight,Sioux Falls,SD
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God,and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV)
“You will keep in perfect peace, those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV
Mount Airy, NC
Megan
Richmond, Va
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2-3 NIV
Sandra, Palm Coast, FL –
“Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.” Psalm 119:34, NIV
Erin May, Grant, AL
Philippians 4:8 (ESV). “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Hanni, Indiana:
Give and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure – pressed down, shaken together and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return. (Luke 6:38 NASB)
Margie, San Angelo, Texas
Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. (Psalm 127:1 NIV)
Caroline from Rio, WI
“And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind (having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude).” Ephesians 4:23 AMP
Megan, Fort Smith, AR – You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when Iām far away. (Psalms 139:2 NLT)
” Set your minds on things above, not on things that are on earth.”
Colossians 3:2 ESV
Jayne
Frisco, Tx
Jody, Huntsville, AL, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Toni from Argyle, TX
Psalm 95:6-7a. NASB
Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before The Lord our Maker.
For He is our God and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.
Crystal. Livonia Michigan
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be JOYFUL in my God”
Isaiah 61:10
KJV
Summer, Crystal, MN
“The fear if man lays a snare; but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” Proverbs 29:25, ESV
Valerie, Little Elm, Texas
Psalm 42:5-6a NLT
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him againā my Savior and (6) my God!
Debbie – Kokomo , IN Psalm 16:11 NIV. You make known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Susan Knowles, Bradenton, FL
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.
Colossians 2:7 NLT
Mary from Indian Head, MD
“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.
Psalm 139:23-24 (NASB)
Stacey from Boulder, Colorado
You did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last – and so whatever you ask for in my name the Father will give you.
John 15:16 NIV
Mar Jo, The Woodlands, TX
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)
“”Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.” 1Chron 16:11 NIV
Rev 3:11 NIV
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
Kristy
Princeton, NC
We are God’s masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus so we could do the good things that He planned for us long ago. Eph 2:10 NLT
Loris, SC
Be very careful, then, how you liveānot as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15, 16 NIV)
Paula Jones, Maryville, TN
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 NIV 1984
Charmaine – Miami, FL – “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Exekiel 36:26 (NKJV)
Patty from Longmont, CO
Submit ourselves then to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you
James 4:7. NIV
Charleston, SC “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Susan, Tallahassee, FL
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
Julie Plosz Tierra Verde FL
No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us!
Romans 8:37 NET
“And my God will liberally supply ([a]fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (Amplified Bible)
Michele Conner
Leander TX
Dawn – Gainesville, GA
“But as for me, I will look to the Lord ; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.”
Micah 7:7
Ima P, Springfield, IL: But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (1 Peter 3:15 NIV84)
Lisa, West Columbia, TX
“for you died,and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
Colossians 3:3 (NIV)