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
Kim Eshelman Lewisburg, PA
“Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you-majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?
Exodus 15:11 NIV
Carmela D,Forney, TX: But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Rom 8:11 KJV
Kathleen from Phoenix,
We love because He first loved us.
1 John 4:19 (NIV)
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (NIV)
Kaitlin Neal; Raleigh, NC
He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me. Psalm 18:19 NIV
Hilary
Rochester, NY
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:4 NIV)
Michele in North Oaks, MN
Hebrews 10:35
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
Kathryn Stoltzfus, Sarasota, Florida
“I will instruct you, and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8
Elizabeth, Greenbrier, AR
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34 (NKJV)
Katharine from Royal Oak, MI
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 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 5:14-16 ESV
anna cordes
kansas city
For the light makes everything visible. That is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” Ephesians 5:14 NLT
Aileen Hunter, London ON
“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.”
2 Peter 1:5-6
Katie, Kentucky
Now no discipline seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. – Hebrews 12:11 NKJV
Angie, Purcellville, VA
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me,
Let him deny himself, and take up his cross,
and follow Me.” Matthew 16: 24 (NKJV)
Betty, Loma Linda; “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear” Isa 65:24 KJV
Becky, Chattanooga, TN
“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”
Romans 12:9-10 NLT
“Show me your ways, Lord. Teach me your paths. Guide me in your truths and teach me. For you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long.”
Psalm 25:4-5
waylene, loma linda; Lord I have given up my pride and turned away from my arrogance. I am not concerned with great matters or with subjects too difficult for me. Ps. 131:1 Good News Translation
Susie Hampton, Garland, Tx
You were wearied by all your ways but you would not say it is hopeless. You found renewal of your strength, and so you did not faint. Isaiah 57:10 NIV
Amy, Pratt, KS “so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other.” Isaiah 45:6 NIV
Sandy from Vienna, VA, Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:2-3 (NIV)
Alicia NYC
Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
Psalm 91: 3 (NIV84)
Tonya Gray – White Lake, MI
Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” NKJV
Mandy
Tallahassee, FL
“With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavor[ing] to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
-Ephesians 4:2-3 NKJV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
Kim, Springfield, MO
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Sandy Jane
Long Beach, CA.
Isaiah 45:6 NIV
so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides me. I an the LORD, and there is no other.
Mary, Rancho Mirage
Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40 NKJV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4: 6-7
Patti McConville, Salem Oregon
Jesus looked at them and said “with man this is impossible,but not with God; all things are possible with God”
Mark 10:27 NIV
Brittany Kay, Gainesville, FL:
But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. – James 1:6 (NET)
Brenda, Lee’s Summit, MO “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The world does not know us because it did not know him.” 1 John 3:1 NIV84
2 Corn. 4:5-6 MSG
Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we are proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. It started when God said, “Light up the darkness!” and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.”
Halley, Elkhorn, NE
“He brings the clouds to punish people, or to water his earth and show his love.”
Job 37:13 NIV
Pat S. Lago Vista, TX
You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11 NKJV
Laurie, Naperville, Illinois
“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him.”
Romans 8:9 (ESV)
Lori L
Montrose, Co
“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”
Proverbs 31:10-12 NIV
Annette, Houston.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
~Acts 1:8 (HCSV)
Kayla Siler, Edmond, OK
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)
TANE MCGEHEE UVALDE,TEXAS
AND DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD,BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND,THAT YOU MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT WILL OF GOD. ROMANS 12:2 [NKJ]
Maurina from Lake Charles: “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him”. Colossians 3:17 KJV
LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart
~Psalm 15:1-2 (NKJV)
Tracy, Tangent, OR
2 Cor 12:9
My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. NKJV
Phyllis Twilley, Salisbury, MD
“Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” Hebrews 12:14-15 NLT
Marcie from Pacific Grove, CA. May the 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 NIV
Psalm 119:3
They also do no iniquity; they walk in his ways.
Heidi – Narvon, PA
Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you.
Psalms 37:5 (NLT)
Valerie, Omaha. I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NLT
PS my last scipture had the wrong reference. As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. Is Micah 7:7 NLT
Wendy
Vero Beach
“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 if evil in the heavenly realms.”
Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
Rachel in WV I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13 (KJV)