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
Cindy in Pitsburg, Ohio – 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; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
Alison, Bourne, England ‘ He is the image of the invisible God, the first born over all creation. For by him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the first born from among the dead, so that in everything he might have supremacy. Colossians 1: 15 – 18 NIV
Cindy Mosinee, WI. Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be stil.
Georganne, Piedmont, Oklahoma. II Chronicles 16:9a NIV
For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
Canyon, Purcellville, VA
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:1-2
Now to Him who is able to do immeasureably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that it at work within us. Eph. 3:20 NIV
Allison, Cypress TX
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12
LK, AZ
Acts 10:15 (NLT) Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.
Betty Scofield from Lees Summit, MO.
Rejoice in the Lord always! Rejoice. I will say it again: Rejoice. Let your Joy be evident to all.
The Lord is near. Philippians 4:4-5. NIV 1984
Linette, Duncan OK. Psalm 29:11 NIV. The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.
Michelle from Highlands Ranch, CO
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 3:5, 6 NIV)
Mallory H, College Station, Tx
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” James 1:2-4 ESV
Sorry I’m late!
Donna, Fort Wayne, IN
Holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ,
I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain
or toil in vain. Philippians 2:16 (NASB)
Krishana from Charlestown, IN
Philippians 1:18b-19 ( NLT)
“Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.”
Sorry – you got put in my Spam folder somehow – hope I’m not too late.
Numbers 23:19
God is not a man that he should lie, nor a son of man that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? (NIV)
Meagan, Dallas, TX
Isiah 33:6 ESV
And he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.
Nanette, Plano, Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, Give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. Proverbs 27:23-24 NIV
Sharon Page from Pensacola, FL
In Him we have redemption thru His blood, the forgivementss of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence. Ephesians 1:7-8 NIV.
Fran, Jackson TN
“You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 NIV
Sara, Greenville, SC – “The truly wise person restrains his words, and the one who stays calm is discerning. Even a fool who remains silent is considered wise, and the one who holds his tongue is deemed discerning.” Proverbs:27-28 NET
Teresa. Austin,TX
Galatians 5:25-26
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Mary Hartville, Ohio
2 Timothy 1:7 “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”
Ashley B – Richmond, Va
May these words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 (NIV1984)
John 16:33 (NIV)
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
Lane, IL
8 Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8
HCSB
Tonya, Mansfield, TX “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.” Psalm 112:7-8, NIV
Kelly H., Acworth, GA
“Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” Heb.12:28
Cindy, Gold Canyon, AZ. Romans 15:13 NIV “May the God of hope will you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16: 8 (NIV)
From Mandeville, LA
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
Vickie Henderson
Russellville, Ar
Romans 9:16
HCSB
So then it does not depend on human will or effort but on God who shows mercy.
Ronda from Murfreessboro, TN
Isaiah 33:6
New English Translation (NET)
” He is your constant source of stability;
he abundantly provides safety and great wisdom;
he gives all this to those who fear him.”
Melissa, Boston
“Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised.”
Romans 4:20, 21 NIV
Leah, London, Canada, “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV)
Mary Beth, Richmond KY
You will keep in perfect peace the mind that is dependent on You, for it is trusting in You. Trust in the Lord forever, because in Yah(weh), the Lord, is an everlasting rock!
Isaiah 26:3-4 (HCSB)
Thelma, New Carlisle, Ohio
Jn. 2:17, NIV = In the last days God says He will pour out His Spirit to ALL people. The sons & DAUGHTERS will prophecy, your young men will see visions & your old men will dream dreams. (That verse reminds me that us women have a part in Gods word.)
Rebecca Gosnell, Arkadelphia, AR
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. (Psalms 147:3-5 ESV)
Shannon from Starkville, MS
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 1 Timothy 1:7 ESV
Tami Walker
Auburndale, Florida
Luke 10:27 NLT
The man said, “You must love the Lord your God with all of your Heart. You must love Him with all of your soul. You must love Him with all of your strength. You must love Him with all of your mind. You must love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
Jill, Winchester, KY
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all [a]comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB)
Candias Chalker in Highland, CA Romans 12:1 NIV Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship
Rebecca from Houston, “My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation.” – Psalm 62:1, NASB
Isaiah 58:8,9a Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
Jessie Hurst
New Palestine, IN.
1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”
Alisa Beets, Cheraw, South Carolina
“From the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before God, your prayers were heard.” Daniel 10:12
The Holy Scrips say that there was a delay because there was a battle going on in the heavenly s – somebody needs to hear these words today. There is a fight for you my sweet sisters!! Keep praying, keep BELIEVING!
Jeni Michener, Trophy Club, Texas
“My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?”
James 2:1
New Living Translation
Heather G. Willow Grove, PA
The Lord will fight for you: you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14 NIV
Wendy, Oak Harbor, WA
Colossians 3:23-24 HCSB
Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically as something done for the Lord and not for men, know that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from The Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.
Traci Wood
Shreveport, LA
Romans 8:28 ESV
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose
“We break down every thought and proud thing that puts itself up against the wisdom of God. We take hold of every thought and make it obey Christ.” II Cor. 10:5 NLV
Kathy, Elon, NC
Proverbs 8:33-35
The Message (MSG)
32-35 “So, my dear friends, listen carefully;
those who embrace these my ways are most blessed.
Mark a life of discipline and live wisely;
don’t squander your precious life.
Blessed the man, blessed the woman, who listens to me,
awake and ready for me each morning,
alert and responsive as I start my day’s work.
When you find me, you find life, real life,
to say nothing of God’s good pleasure.
Jodi – Hartford WI
Hebrews 7:25
Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him because he always lives to intercede for them.
Dee from Alden: You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 NIV