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
Lisa from Waycross, GA
Donna from Albany, GA
Matthew 11:28 (AMP)
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened and I will cause you to rest. (I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.)”
Tina, Jacksonville, Florida
Hosea 10:12 NIV
Sow to yourselves righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
Lisa, Boerne, Tx
“Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 15:57 (NIV)
Vicki C., Indianapolis, IN
James 1:5 NIV
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Rochester Hills, MI
Acts 1:8(ESV)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Kathy, Festus, MO “For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” James 1:3 NLT
Erin
Atlanta, GA
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.
2 Cor. 10:5 ESV
Fran, Stedman, NC
“When I am afraid, I will trust in You.
Psalm 56:3 (HCSB)
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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phillipians 4:6-7; NASB
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3 ESV
Mandy, Bastrop
Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. KJV
Angela Talley, Murfreesboro TN. Hebrews 11:6 ESV
And without faith it is possible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he would exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Kate, Charlottesville
“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” Psalm 105:4 NIV
Melissa, Carmel, Indiana
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,
whatever things are noble,
whatever things are pure,
whatever things are lovely,
whatever things are of good report,
if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8 (NJK)
Barb ~ St Cloud MN ~ Exodus 14:13a-14 (NIV)
Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today… [14] The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Betty M Voltaire, ND Ps 139:3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. ESV
Becky, Roswell, GA
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matt. 11:28, (NIV84)
Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. (James 1:2, 3 HCSB)
Tammy W., Bethlehem, GA, Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18 NIV)
“When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.” Eph. 3:14-16 NLT
Fynette, Cape Coral
I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. Job 42:2 NIV 1984
Amy, Cedar Rapids, IA
1 Corinthians 16:14 NASB
Let all that you do be done in love.
Clinton,Ky.
“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
John 14:21 NIV
Melissa, Vicksburg, MS: “So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” Romans 8:6 NLT
1Peter 5:8 NIV
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Elizabeth from Princeton NC
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NIV)
Carol M. Marietta Ga.
Psalm 37:7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Life App NIV
Amy, Albemarle, NC
in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the spirit. -Romans 8:4
Sandy, Dodge City, KS
Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3 NIV
Beth from St. Louis
For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous and godly way in the present age while we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people for His own possession, eager to do good works. Titus 2:11-14 HCSB
Liz -Cypress, Texas
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Philippians 4:11. NIV
Jill, DeLand
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV
Dionne from Cary, NC – James 1:13 – When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me”. For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. NIV
Catherine Collierville, TN John 14:27 NIV
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
JoAnn, Columbus, OH
Phil 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thaksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will gaurd your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. NIV
Sherri – Bellevue, NE
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Tammy, Oklahoma
Isaiah 43:13. ” Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act WHO CAN REVERSE IT?” (emphasis mine)
NIV
Sheri, Naples Italy:
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
James 1:27 U-NAS
Pushkala, Louisville – Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be abl eto stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Eph 6:10-11 (NASB)
Susan, Dade City, Fl
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14 NIV
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
Revelation 3:20 NIV
Julia Stevens Hill — Anniston, Alabama
Micah 6:8 NIV
He has shown you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly, to love mercy, and
To walk humbly with your God.
Melany, Garrison, Mo
1 Peter 3:10-11 ESV
“Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.”
Kathy C Skidmore MO
Psalm 105:4 ESV
Seek the Lord and His strength
Seek His presence continually.
Jessica, York, PA. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others beter than yourselves. Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
Commit Everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalms 37:5 NLT
Jessica, Whitby, Ontario
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Laura, O’Fallon, MO. “This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.” John 2:11 NIV
Laura, Prairieville, LA.
God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness. II Peter 1:3
Laura, Prairieville, LA.
God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness. II Peter 1:3 NIV.
Suzie, Fort Mill, SC
~Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3 NASB