READY? AIM! FIRE!
Happy New Year, my dear sisters in Jesus! Last night I wrote a letter to the Lord Jesus right before I went to sleep and recalled His faithfulness through a tumultuous year. Right before I turned out the light, I opened up Daily Light for the last Scripture reading for the year and it offered this verse:
The Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way you went until you came to this place. Deut. 1:31
I could have cried. Yes, He surely did. And He carried you, too. Tightly in His faithful arms.
Only God knows what this particular year has in store for us. He alone sees how the path will wind, and climb, and fall, and rise again. We do not have control over the future as we glance ahead to 2011 but make no mistake. He does and we, His lavishly loved daughters, can indeed prepare to live what He thoughtfully brings our way victoriously. On this first day of the new year, we are not victims. We are called to live as victors, holding up the Shield of Faith in one hand and the Sword of the Spirit in the other.We need BOTH.
It’s finally time to post your first memory verse of 24 in 2011! If you haven’t already read the instructions thoroughly, please look at the post on December 26th titled “Siesta Scripture Memory Instructions.” It will tell you everything you need to know. Just a quick refresher: Your comments will almost entirely consist of these entries:
First name, city, verse, reference, and version.
Please keep it limited to these facts so that the verses stand out prominently for us to behold. You can occasionally say something as brief as “I’m excited!” Or “I need prayer!” but nothing longer than that please. Let’s let the Scriptures themselves rise like we’re looking at them with our 3-D glasses on.
Here’s my first Scripture entry of 24 in 2011:
Beth, Houston: All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change. James 1:17 The NET Bible
Be sure and hand write your verse in your spiral to help engrave it on your sweet mind. Also consider writing your contact information on the inside cover in case you leave it somewhere and God causes someone gracious to find it.
I love to claim Psalm 65:11 on the first day of the new year:
You crown the year with Your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake. The NET Bible
Lord, I want an abundance of Your Holy Spirit! (See Luke 11:13!) Abba, go before us this year and leave the fragrance of Your very presence in Your wake!
OK, Siestas! Hit it! I’ve prayed for you and can’t wait to pursue the Lord Jesus Christ with you this year. If some of you don’t know which verse to use this time around, consider Psalm 65:11. It’s a great first round.
Remember to wait 24 hours from the time you post your comment until you assume it got lost and enter it again. So many comments come in at once on these Scripture memory posts that the server bogs down, causing it to take extra time.
I love you, Sisters! Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can do this! Remember, KEEP IT SIMPLE AND MEANINGFUL!
Marlo from Flower Mound, Texas: Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
ESV
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Many people will see THIS and worship him. THEN they will trust the Lord. (Ps. 40:3 NCV)
The LORD gives strength to his people;
the LORD blesses his people with peace.
Psalm 29:11
NIV
Mary
West Memphis, AR
Annette G. from Houston ~ “Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.” Hebrews 12:12-13 (NIV)
Gena, Houston
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
James 3:17 (NLT)
Jody, Alvin: “Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude.” Eph. 4:31, CEV
Wow! My children need to learn this one! Thanks.
YIPPEEE!! Karen Twombly N. Waterboro, Maine
NIV VERSION
“This is what the Lord says–your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”
I need to hear from God and remember that He IS directing my life! 🙂
Annette, Richmond: My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27 NIV
Yes LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for You. Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. Isaiah 26:8 NIV
We love to obey Your laws; our heart’s desire is to glorify Your name. Isaiah 26:8 NLT
Kimberly Orr–Zionsville Indiana
Stacey in Midlothian,VA
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2 ESV
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.”
Ginger
Wetumpka, AL
I AM excited!!!!!
Richelle, Kingston: Create in me a pure heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NIV
Janet, Lenoir, NC: O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1 NIV
michelle
Woodstock, VT
Proverbs 31:25-26 (NASB)
Strength and dignity are her clothing.
And she smiles at the future.
She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Kim from Springfield
Luke 9:23 (New International Version)
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
(Deny myself…my theme for 2011 🙂
Marybeth, Oxford: “It is God Who arms me with strength and makes my way blameless.” Psalm 18:32 NIV
Pam, Holt,“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” Isaiah 43:1b & 2 (New Living Translation)
Susan, Zurich, CH: 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. Romans 15:13. NIV
Rachel, Rochester, NY: The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Gayle
Tampa, FL
The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
NASV
Miss Kathleen
Bernardsville, NJ
Psalm 37:7a
NIV
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him…..
kendal; north wilkesboro, nc; “but the woman who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not fogetting what she has heard, but doing it – she will be blessed in all that she does.” James 1:25 (NIV – i changed the gender from male to female!)
Psalm 142:5-7 (NIV)
I cry to you, O Lord I say.
” You are my refuge, my portion
In the land of the living.”
Listen to my cry, for I am in
desperate need; rescue me from those who
pursue me, for they are too strong for me.
Set me free from my prison that I may
praise you name!
Angie, 30
Deltona, FL
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
Luke 5:16 (NIV)
Lisa Shaw
Florida
Happy New Year!
Norfolk, Va
You crown the year with Your good blessings; and You leave abundance in Your wake. Psalms 65:11
NET
Judy from Louisiana, “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalms 141:3 (NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope a a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Diane, Randolph: Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians (my problem, worry) you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:13-14 NIV
Steph, Lynchburg: Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. John 1:3-4, NIV
Ruth from Westerville, OH
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Valerie, Belford: May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.
Ephesians 3:17b NLT
Betty, Atlanta
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice — the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?”
Romans 12:1 ESV
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peac be removed'” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. ~ Isaiah 54:10 (NIV
Georgia Fulenwider
Whitewright, TX
Adele-Alys from Matthews, NC “Behold, that I had intense bitterness was for my peace; but You have loved back my life from the pit of corruption and nothingness for You have cast all my sins behind Your back.” Isaiah 38:17 Amplified circa 1981
Robin, Idaho: Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, Robin, 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9 NIV
DeeDee, Houston
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Eph 4:29 NIV
Linda Lexington
When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions:Wait for hope to appear.
Lamentations 3:28-29 (The Message)
Kelly
Rogersville, TN
Romans 15.13 HCSB
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Roxanne. Houston
Philippians 3:13-14
No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. (NLT)
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
LET’S RISE HIGHER THIS YEAR!!!
Jamie, Raytown Mo: “But you, O LORD, are a shield about me,my glory, and the lifter of my head.” Psalm 3:3. ESV
Beckie, Florence: Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But God does not take away life; instead, he devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from him. NIV
so sorry 2 Samuel 14:14
I couldn’t help responding cause my maiden name was Becky Potter! I haven’t heard the name Potterfield.
May God bless you in the New Year!
Kristi, Inman, SC:
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2) NIV
Georganne, Piedmont, Oklahoma. Jeremiah 24:7 N.I.V.
I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.
Ephesians 3:16-17a (NIV)
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
Margie
Hilton Head Island, SC
Hi Margie by the sea…….My husband were supposed to arrive in HHI today, but due to a DVT in his leg we could not come. Say a prayer for him as you walk on the beach. Thanks and Happy New Year………Judy
”While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:18 NASB
Susan
England, U.K.
Sondra, Christiansburg, Va: “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.” Romans 15:13 (NIV, 1984)
Rebekah, Fulton, MS
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!
– Psalm 27:13-14, NKJV
Jennifer, Singapore: O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2 NIV
Vicki Paducah, Ky
With this in mind, we pray constantly for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. 2 Thess. 1:11 NIV
Thank you for your faithfulness, Beth, you are such a bright light in a dark world, Love ya, Happy New year!!!
Andrea,Cartersville: “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always for the Lord God is the eternal rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT