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
2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the work of truth.
So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
James 1:4
Albuquerque
I am so blessed from the study of James, but especially being able to memorize the scripture. It has never been easy for me to memorize. But at 73 God is blessing!
Kim, Victoria, Texas
“You are my hiding place: you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” Psalm 32:7 NIV
Dee Dee Fernandina Bch, Florida Then Jesus went to work on His disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the drivers seat; I am.”
Matthew 16:24 Message
Deana, Hannibal NY
Luke 1:74-75 ESV
We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.
Tracey, WV. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. (Psalms 51:17 NLT)
Robin from Noblesville, IN
Philippians 1:9 – 10 “I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.”
Janice, Topeka, KS
In repentance and rest is your salvation. In quietness and trust is your strength.
Isa. 30:15 NIV
Psalm 71:5,6 NIV
5 For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord,
my confidence since my youth.
6 From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.
I will ever praise you.
Phyllis
Gilmer, TX
NIV Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts in him and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
Kim, Mansfield, TX – Matthew 4:4 NLT – But Jesus told him, “No! The scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”
Kim, Salem, Oregon
Deut 31:6 – Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. ESV
Jennifer Pearson: Nesbit, MS
Zeph 3:17
The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. (ESV)
Judy, Washington
For I hold you by your right hand–I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. Isaiah 41:13 (NLT)
Beth, Jonesboro, AR
“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.”
Philippians 6:8 NIV
Cindy Schade, Stockbridge, GA
I Peter 2:9. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. NRSV
Sarah, West Monroe, La
But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:24 (NET)
Christina, from Little Elm, Tx.
I will keep my promise to The Lord in the presence of all his people. Psalm 116:14
I am the vine you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will beat much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing. John 15:5
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 NIV
Dana
Boerne, TX
Kaitlyn, Tampa, FL
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Colossians 3:2, NIV
Sharon. Glennville, GA
Psalm 103:4 NIV
Who redeems your life from the pit
And crowns you with love and compassion.
Christa, Lenexa, KS: Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Ephesians 6:7 NLT
Kristin
Calgary, AB Canada
Romans 8:28 (TNIV)
“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.”
Ashley Dawson, Columbia, MO
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Nancy-Yonges Island, SC
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV
Knoxville, IA
Philipians 3:7-8
“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. . .”
Maddie, La Crosse, WI
Hebrews 12:1-3 (ESV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self control, self control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, brotherly affection with love. 2 Peter 1:5~7 hcsb
Terri from Mechanicsville, VA:
“Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God.”
2 Corinthians 3:4 (NIV)
Rachel, from Mechanicsville, va
Hebrews 11:25 (NIV)
“He chose to be mistreated along with the people of Gid rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasures or sin.”
Psalm 28:7 (NIV) The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy and with my song I praise him.
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
James 2:12-13 NIV 1984
Melanie Ceynar- Houston, TX- “For I know e plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 – NIV
Jennifer from Haslet, TX
Psalms 91:1-2 NIV
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”
Seattle, WA
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”
Titus 2:11-12 (NIV)
Jaclyn from Naperville, IL “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer”- Romans 12:12, ESV.
Nicole T, Blue Springs, MO
2 Timothey 3:16-17 (NIV) “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11
Luke 4:7
” So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” NAB
Dadeville, Alabama
Now the Lord is Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is theres is freedom. 2 Cor 3:17
Niv
Sarah from CA
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Col 3:12-13 NIV84
Amy, Grand Rapids, MI
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5 NLT
Ginger, El Paso, TX: “But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” 1 Samuel 12:24 NIV
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saintS. pSALMS ll6:l5 NKJV
“The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” Exodus 15:2 KJV
West Palm Beach, FL
Luke 12:32-34 “fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the Heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” ESV
Phil 4:6 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer & petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Morrison, CO
Peggy, Bangor, Maine. Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11 (NIV84)
Isaiah 40:30-31 (TNIV)
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.