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
Elisabeth
Modesto, CA
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.
(Isaiah 40:28 ESV)
Donna, Loganville, PA
2 Timothy 4:3-4
NLT
3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
Linda, Mackenbach, Germany, Isaiah 61:7 NIV
Instead of your shame
you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.
Lisa, Sioux Falls, SD
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing good fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the Kingdom of light. ~ Col 1:10-12 (NIV)
Wendy – Cheyenne, WY.
If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
1 Corinthians 13:3, The Message
Sheila, Laurel, MS
Ps. 91:11 (ESV)
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all His ways.
Laura, Clay Center, KS
Ephesians 1:18-19(a) (NIV)
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Delanie, Fenton, MO Romans 8:38-39 “For I am persuaded that niether death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, no things present, nor things to come, nor heighth, nor depth, nor any creature is able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” KJV
Darcy, Houston. 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. James 1:5 NIV 1984
Mandi, Sand Springs, OK
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5,6 NLT
Shelley, Birmingham: NIV Romans 8:5-6 “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”
Brandee Loftis from White House, TN
We are demolishing arguments and ideas, every high-and-mighty philosophy that pits itself against the knowledge of the one true God. We are taking prisoners of every thought, every emotion, and subduing them into obedience to the Anointed One.
2 Corinthians 10:5, The Voice
Jeremiah 29:11 (nab) For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.
Gwyn Tidwell, Haslet, TX
“Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race set out for us.” Hebrews 12:1 (NIV84)
Amy & Carolyn (mom and daughter) from Cherry Hill, NJ – Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27, NIV
Samantha, Sylva, NC
Psalm 139:2 NIV
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
Karen, Hartselle, AL
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:3
Amber Moon, Lincolnton, NC
A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Proverbs 17:27 (NLT)
Becky
Westerville, OH.
Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one like You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on You and in your name we have come against this vast army. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You.”
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.” Phil. 2:13 NLT
Sorry – Kristi, Greenville, TX
Andi, Lincoln NE
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have enough room for it.”
Mal 3:10 NIV
Vicki from St. Joseph, MO.
“All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace.”
Isaiah 54:13 NIV
Stephanie from Pickerington, OH
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,” (Ephesians 3:20 NASB)
Laurie, Edmond Oklahoma You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3. NIV
tish, Renville Minnesota:
“…But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Joshua 24:15
Forgot to add: New International Version
Becky, Morganton, NC
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.”
Jeremiah 15:16 ESV
“Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.”
Psalm 40:5 NIV Pam in San Diego
Jordan, Columbia, MO. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 NIV84
Liz, Jacksonville “He heals those who have a broken heart. He heals their sorrows.” Psalms 147:3 NLV
Jackie Pope, Covington, IN; Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11 NKJV
Oops – hit the button too soon –
II Chron. 14:11 NIV
Dawn Kornelson – Airdrie, Alberta
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God
1 John 4:7 NIV
Loveland, CO Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer. NIV
Brie, London, UK:
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck,write them on the tablet of your heart.Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him,and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:3-6 (NIV)
Cindy from Uvalde, Texas. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 KJV
Abbey, Warsaw IN
Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘Man doesn’t live only on bread. He also lives on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:4 NIRV
Sandi
Lewiston
Isaiah 26:8 NIV
Yes, Lord , walking in the way of your laws,
we wait for you;
your name and renown
are the desire of our hearts.
Terri, Ferris, Texas, John 15:4,5 NKJV
“Abide in Me and I in you. as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him, bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing.”
Shannon, Mt. Olive, Al
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
Pam Houston, Buena Park, CA
“You scrutinize my path and my lying down and are intimately acquainted with all my ways.” Psalms 139:3 NASB
Tempa, Palm Bay,Fl,”All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.”Isaiah 54:13 NIV
Colleen Duebber. Cincinnati, Ohio.
And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.
John 6:39-40 NIV
Do not be afraid of the nations there, for the Lord your God will fight for you. Deut. 3:22 NSV
Nicole from Newton, Iowa
Proverbs 31:30 ESV
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Kelli, Apex NC
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. and be thankful. Colossians 3:15 ESV
Lori – Foristell MO Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. Galatians 6:7 ESV
JoLee, Arlington. “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life. Deuteronomy 30:19-20
1 Corinthians 4:4 “My conscious is clear but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.”
NIV
Laura, Houston, TX:
Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (HCSB)
James 4:7-8 NIV
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
Tracy
Fort Mill, SC