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 from Prosper, TX
Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; Save me and I will be saved, For YOU are my praise. Jer. 17:14 NAS
mount vernon, OH
1 Peter 4:1-2 (NIV):
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
Mara, Denver CO- I’d never forget you. Look, I’ve written your name on the back of my hands. The walls you’re rebuilding are never out of my sight. -Isaiah 15b-16 (Message)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2Timothy 4:7-8 NLT
Annie, Nebraska
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NIV
Amy Hawk, Hood River, OR,
(S)he is like a tree planted by flowing streams;
it yields its fruit at the proper time,
and its leaves never fall off.
(S)he succeeds in everything (s)he attempts. Psalm 1:3, The NET Bible
Robyn
Plano, TX
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”
Psalm 103:8 (NIV)
For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. Galatians 5:17
Augusta, Ga
“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 HCSB
But he who stands firm to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:13 NIV
Kathy @ Dayton, Nevada
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…”
Psalms 92:1-2 NKJV
It is good to give thanks to the Lord , And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night,
Nikki in Greenwood, Arkansas
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:25-26 NIV
Kathy French, Austin, TX
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess His name.” Hebrews 13:15 NIV
Melinda Burgin,Kentucky
Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
1 Chronicles 16:11
KJV
You are the light of the world– like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all.
Matt 5:14-15I NLT
Jenny Stade, Clovis, ca
Mandy from Mt. Vernon, Tx.
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:12 NIV
NKJV, John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and i in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing”.
Karon, Gainesville, TX
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”
Proverbs 3:3 (NIV)
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT)
Diane, Vacaville,CA “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
Jer 33:3 (NIV)
Mary Burton, of Forney, TX
Colossians 3:12 NIV
“Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Matthew 5:14 NLT “You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.”
Sarah, Sydney, Australia
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:18, 19 NLT)
Psalm 32:10 “He who walks with the wise grows wise but a companion of fools suffers much harm.”
Shellie from Arlington, TX. ‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3 NASB
Erin-Cape Girardeau
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) “give thanks in all circumstances; for that is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Jennifer, Littlefield TX
“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Phil. 3:10 (NIV)
Leanne, Billings, MT
“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”
1 Cor 10:12-14 NLT
Chella From Texas
“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” -Hebrews 12:11 (ESV)
Amy- GA-
Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always. (Psalm 105:4 NIV)
Julie, Tallassee, AL
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers;and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. John 15:5&6
Shannon, Mandeville, Ps. 121:5-6, “The Lord watches over you-the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.” TNIV
Cam, Albuquerque,
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
Gigi, Tyler. So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT)
Evanston, IL
John 11:40 (NIV)
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you BELIEVE, you will see the GLORY OF GOD?”
If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace
with all men. Romans 12:18 NAS
Ceffie Bridgeport, WV A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:13 NLT
Kati, Ocracoke Island NC
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10 NIV)
Hollie, Mount Vernon, Ohio
“In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.”
Psalm 25:1, NIV
Karen from Redmond
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)
Becky, Placerville, CA
Psalm 37:5 NLT
Commit everything you do to The Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.
Lisa, Fairbanks
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in people.
Psalm 118:8 NLT
Sally, St. Paul, Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” Proverbs 25:28 (NIV)
Lindsay English – St. Johns MI
“For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:7-8 ESV
Amy Jones, Jackson, TN
“I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:9b-10 (NIV)
Julie Luttrull, Muskogee, Ok,
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV
Lisa, Frisco, TX “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Phillipians 4:13; KJV
Emily, El Dorado, AR, If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5 NIV
“Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.” Psalm 73:25 (NKJV)