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 Conrad
Byron Center, Michigan
A gentle answer turns away anger,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 (TNIV)
Sue, Clemmons, NC
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58,NKJV
Romans 8:31 NIV
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Pratt, KS
Wendi Gale, Yulee; For the Christian wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the Christian husband brings holiness to his marriage. Other wise, your children would not be holy, but now they are holy. 1 Corinthians 7:14 (NLT)
Natalie, Clemmons, NC
Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. Hebrews 2:11, NIV
Jennifer from Monroe, LA Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.
Sheila, Fort Smith AR.
Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. Colossians 4:5-6 NASB
Natalie Aurora, IL
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
New International Version (NIV)
4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Sarah F., Champaign IL
Isaiah 31:33 “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (ESV)
I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer. My God, my strength in whom I will trust; my shield and horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-3 NKJV
Kathi
Lexington, OH
1 Peter 1:9 “The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls.” (NLT)
Shaunna Sturgeon, New Strawn, KS
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. (Romans 12:9, 10 ESV)
Emily
Plano, TX
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6, 7 NKJV)
Archbold,Ohio
I John 5:4-5 NIV
For whatever is born of God over comes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Where is the victory, but in Christ only! Stand firm and believe in His promises!!!
Kim from Cincinnati, Ohio
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.
Romans 12:2 NIV
Anne
Lady lake, fl
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Joshua 1:8
NIV
Amy, Quincy, IL
Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.
1 Timothy 4:7 NASB
Hebrews 12:15 ESV
See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.
Laura, Parma Ohio “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” John 8:36 NIV
To all in Rome who,are loved by God and called to be His holy people, grace and peace to you through God the Father and Jesus Christ his son.
Romans 1:5 NIV
Kamee, Cheney
But when He, the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. John 16:13a
NIV
Nampa, ID
Psalm 111:1 NLT
Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with His godly people.
Donna from Arlington
“All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” ESV
Adrienne Usher
Overland Park, KS
Deuteronomy 31:8 HCSB
The LORD is the One who will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
Julia from Cincinnati Ohio
O LORD you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.
Psalm 139:1-3 NLT
Brenda from Southern Maryland; Â Isaiah 54:13 – All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.
Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Sing praise to the Lord,you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping May endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:4-5 NKJV
Crystal Johnson, Columbia, SC
2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Emily
Shreveport, LA
“The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1 NIV)
Angela- Wichita, KS
1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in Gods sight.
Julie, Broken Arrow, OK
O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. Psalm 63:1-5
Lou Ann Smith, McAllen, TX
God, the Lord, is my strength;he makes my feet like the deer’s;he makes me tread on my high places. Habakkuk 3;19 ESV
NIV 2 Chronicles 7:14. If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then will I hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.
bernadette, mtn home, ar Because of the Lord’s great love for us we are not consumed, his compassions never fail. they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness. Lam 3:22-23
Danae, Escondido, CA
“The Lord will keep you from all harm–he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121:7-8, NIV84
Janet from Richmond, IN
“Stop fooling yourselves if you think you are wise by this world’s standards. You will have to become a fool, so you can become wise by God’s standards.” !st Corinthians 3:18.
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6 NIV
~Paula K, Muskegon, Michigan~
He will not allow your foot to slip, Your Protector will not slumber. Psalm 121:3 (HCSB)
Donna from Angleton, TX
Strength and dignity are her clothing and she laughs at the time to come. Proverbs 31:25 ESV
Deborah, Houston – “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” NIV, Isaiah 55:8-9
As the Lord lives, I will say whatever the Lord says to me. 1 Kings 22:14 HCSB
Virginia B. Longmont, CO
“I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.
“I am writing to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I am writing to you who are young in the faith because you have won your battle with the evil one.”
1 John 2:12, 13 NLT
Nancy
Powder Springs
Josh 1:9 NLT
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Rebecca, Amarillo Tx
I pray that your participation in the faith may become effective through knowing every good thing that is in us for the glory of Christ.
Philemon 1:6 HCSB
Shannon, Allen, TX
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV
Abbie, Omaha, NE
Joshua 1:8-9 “Do not let this book of Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you maybe careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NIV)
Kirsten
El Paso, TX
Galatians 5:16, 17 NLT
“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.”
pamela t., Fairmont, NC Ephesians 4:1-3 (MSG)
In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.
Shelly, Tampa FL
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
Shannon from Surrey, BC Canada
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)