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
Mary Ellen in Billlings, MT
“Dear Friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvaation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. Jude 1:3 NIV
Kim, Corning, NY – Continuing with verse 11 of the Colossians 1:9-14 passage I’m working on: “being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully” (NIV)
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices and with my song I will praise Him. Psalm 28:7 (NKJV)
I’m so thankful the LORD is my shield. I can trust Him no matter what painful events “happen” in my day. Today I’m trusting in the help to be forthcoming and I am awaiting a heart that is rejoicing greatly!
Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV)
[9] Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. [10] Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Melissa Sarvela Vancouver WA
The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all. (Psalms 103:19 NASB)
Know God is sovereign being me great comfort.
Vilma Thomas
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Kristin, Archbold, OH
Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until He comes and showers righteousness on you. Hosea 10:12 (NIV)
Tracie Fritcher Johnson, Taylorville, IL
If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.
Proverbs 1:23 ESV
Amy 7634, SF Bay Area
“Such confidence we have through Christ before God.”
2 Corinthians 3:4 (memorizing v. 5 next!)
2 Corinthians 3:4(NIV)
Barbara, Spring Hill, FL
“I lift up my eyes to the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and Earth” Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
Amber, Huntington, IN, “For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.” Proverbs 26:20 AMP
Yvonne
Sevierville, Tn
1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
Isaiah 61 AMP
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
3 To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion—to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit—that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
Debbie, Millen, GA
Patricia, San Diego: ‘O sovereign Lord, you are God! Your words are trustworthy and you have promised these good things to your servant’ 2 Samuel 7:28 (NIV)
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Deut 31:6 HSCB
Cathy, Russellville
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 1 Timothy 1:7
Becky Callon, Yelm
Colossions 1:12 (NIV)…giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
Deb Neild, Lansdale,PA
Romans 8:31 “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” NIV
Barb Argyle “Oh, magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together! Ps.34:3 ESV
They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer.
Psalm 78:35 NIV
Dawn W. – Batavia, OH
Colossians 3:23-24 NLT
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though working for the LORD rather than for people. Remember that the LORD will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.
Kerri, Allegan, MI
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4 NIV
Dana, Pace Fl
Even while these people were worshiping the Lord, they were serving their idols. 2 Kings 17:41 NIV
Ann, Murrells Inlet, SC
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple. Psalm 27:4 NIV
Cat
San Antonio, Texas
Jude 1:3 ESV
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.
Lisa
York, PA
“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)
Stacy Featherston …Searcy, AR
“He will not fear bad news; his heart is confident, trusting in The Lord”
Psalm 112:7 HCSB
Deana, Texas All your children shall be taught by the Lord, great peace and undisturbed composure of your children. Amp
Snohomish, WA
I know how much God loves me, and I have put my trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. NLT
Gloria, Martinsburg, PA. ” But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; Though I dwell in darkness, the LORD is a light for me.”
Micah 7:7-8 (NASB)
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill 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 am thanking God for helping me to hide his word in my heart so my 3rd verse is:
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11,NIV
Suey, Houston,TX Zeph 3:17 NIV The Lord that God is with you HE is mighty to save He will take great delight in you HE will quiet you with his love
Tilley Hawkins from Franklin, TN
“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
Kelly Copelan, Starr,SC.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil.4:8 NIV
Marcy Larance Amarillo Tx
Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will help you.
Psa 37:5 (NLT)
Marti, Loganville, Ga
“Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everthing you out your hand to.” Deuteronomy 5:10
nancy virginia beach, virginia
After you have suffered a little while, may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10 NIV
Candi, Ft. Bragg, NC – “Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; teach me in the way in which I should walk; for to You I lift up my soul.”
Psalm 143:8, NASB
Atlanta, GA
Job 19:25-27(NIV84) I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes___I and not another. How my heart yearns within me.
Laura Holt, Huntsville, AL
“May the Lord answer you when you are in trouble; may the God of Jacob make you secure!” ~ Psalm 20:1, NET
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Vicki, Canton
“I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.”
Psalm 27:13
Brooke, Dallas “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV)
Sierra, Salt Lake City
Psalm 18:30-31
As for God, his ways are perfect
The word of the Lord is flawless
He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
For who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock except our God?
Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
I forgot to put the reference
Brooke, Fredericksburg VA
But he said to me “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in 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, than I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV
Platte City, MO
“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
Colossians 4:6, NKJV
Melissa from Flemington, NJ. I Corinthians 13:4-7, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” KJV.
Robin, Oak Harbor
Ephesians 6:13 NIV Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20b. ESV