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
Littleton, Co
Romans 8:3 (NIV) For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man,”
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14
Behold I aam with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you. Gen 28:15 ESV
Praise Him for He is good all the time!
Mtn. Home, AR
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
NIV
Skeet Shiver from Monroe, GA
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Gina from Moody,AL
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26 NAS
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12
Tammy
Cincinnati, Ohio
Matthew 6:34 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Julia, Whidbey Island, WA:
” Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” Phil 4:8-9 MSG
Lauren
Anchorage, Alaska
Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3 NIV
Robbie Borders, Baker City, Heal me O Lord and I will be healed, save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. Jer 17:14 NKJV
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 NAS
oops, Castlewood, SD
Sacha, Midland, TX
Psalm 2:8 (ESV)
“Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.”
Cindy from Clute, TX. – “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
Janelle, WPB, FL: But as it is written:What eye did not see and ear did not hear, and what never entered the human mind— God prepared this for those who love Him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 HCSB
Tatia, Carlisle, PA:
“We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect mann, able to keep his whole body in check.” James 3:2 (NIV1984)
Alisha Huntington,Wva ” The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 KJV
Carolyn Kearney, Nebraska
Psalm 37:8 NLT
Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm.
Joy from Iowa “If any of you lacks wisdom, let her ask of God who gives to all liberally and without reproach and it will be given to her. But let her ask in faith, with no doubting, for she who doubts us like a wave of the Yea driven & tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6. NKJ
Cheryl, Austin, TX
…for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye.
Zechariah 2:8 NIV
Johnnie, Wake Forest, NC
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22 ESV
Teach me Your way, O Lord;I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will give thanks to You, O Lord, my God, with all my heart, and will glorify Your name forever. – Psalm 86:11-12 (NAS)
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed”, says the LORD who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 NIV
Joy from Iowa “If any of you lacks wisdom, let her ask of God who gives to all liberally and without reproach and it will be given to her. But let her ask in faith, with no doubting, for she who doubts Is like a wave of the sea driven & tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6. NKJ
Kaitlyn, Fort Walton Beach, FL
Proverbs 14:30 (ESV)
A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy [or jealousy] makes the bones rot.
*Sidenote: The Message and AMP translations of this verse are ministering to me as well. It’s becoming an entire study for me, I think.
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.” Psalm 62:5 (NIV)
Sharon Meekins
Charlotte, NC
Exodus 14:14 NIV
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Monica – Cashiers, NC
“Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.” (Matthew 6:26, The Message)
Laurin, Harrisburg, NC. Teach me your ways, O LORD, and I will walk with your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11 NIV
Brittney, St. Louis – Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. John 15:4 (ESV)
Theresa E, Oakland Township, MI
“For he has not despised or scorned
the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him
but has listened to his cry for help.”
Psalm 22:24 (NIV)
Susan, Houston, Galatians 1:10 from ESV – For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Kathy, Grants Pass. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 NIV
Natalie Olympia, WA
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and eve though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8-9
Lake Stevens, WA
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV
Karen, Careml, IN
Psalm 37:1-2 NIV
Do not fret because of those who are evil or envious of those who do wrong;
For like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away
Judy
Illinois
NIV
Prov. 1:5
“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.”
from Crowley, LA
Psalm 40: 3 & 5 (NIV)
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.
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.
Proverbs 28:13 (KJV)
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whosoever confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
“Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with a tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each others faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3 12&13, NLT
Diane from Pratt, KS
He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.
Psalm 40:3 (NLT)
Jill, Austin, TX
Colossians 3:12 ESV
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience.
Cathy from Monroe Georgia
Psalm 62:11,12 One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. NIV
Menomonee Falls, WI
I will give you the treasures of darkeness, riches stores in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. Isaiah 45:3 NIV
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. this is the first and greatest commandment.” And second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself” Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV)
Emily Ottawa Ontario, Romans 15:13 NIV 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.
Cindy, Union Grove, WI
And without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6, NIV
Liz, DuBois PA
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:5 NLT
Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O’Lord, my rock and my redeemer
Psalms 19:14 NAS
Heather
Gloucester, Virginia
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 NIV