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!
Ginny, Wilson: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Billie, Greenville, Kentucky:
“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” 1 Pet. 4:7 NIV
Natalie, Birmingham, AL
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. “ (Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV)
Katherine, Lititz, PA: Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19
Angie, Cynthiana, You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance. Psalm 56:11 NKJ
Kristin, Athens, AL: “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:13-14 NLT
Michelle, Chatham, IL. 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. Abbey (daughter, age 9) Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1Peter 5:7 NIV
Linda Gahanna, Ohio
Psalm 71:18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.
Marci, Hendersonville, TN, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. NIV
Stacy, Bowling Green, KY: Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my
God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave. Ps 86:11-13, NIV
Rene, Abilene, TX “Do not conform 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
Sarah, Johnstown, PA “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
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.”
Isaiah 40:30-31
Juliana, Dahlgren “it is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. Dan 2:22 NAS
Emily; Augusta,GA
Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.
Psalm 105:4 NIV
Stacy, Alexnadria, VA
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'” Isaiah 30:31 NIV
Connie Boyd, Turlock CA
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you
John 15:12 NIV
Linda, Floyds Knobs, IN
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
Tracey Knight, Arkadelphia AR: Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. ~Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV2010
Amanda, Westfield, NC: I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. -Psalm 119:10-11, NIV
Janet, Winnipeg, Manitoba “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37
One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
Psalm 27:4 NIV
Cara, Holland
“Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise; then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word.
Psalm 119:41-42 ESV
I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from?(Psalm 121:1)
Brittany Stephenville, TX
A merry hearth maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the hearth the spirit is broken.
Proverbs 15:13
Heather
Birmingham
For the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Hebrews 4:12
NLT
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:7 KJV
Meagan, Austell, GA
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the Rock”
Matthew 7:24 NIV
Michelle, King George, VA: Galations 5:13-14 (NIV) ” You my brothers were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge in the sinful nature; rather serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Kristin, Hamburg, AR. “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 NIV
Heather, Shiloh, NC
“But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
Jennifer H. from Houston
You crown the year with Your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake.
Psalm 65:11 NET
Jennifer, Pflugerville, TX
Find rest,O my soul, in God alone, my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Psalm 62:5-6 (NIV)
Chrystial, Rome, Georgia: Now to hime who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen! Ephesians 3:20,21
Angela, Hampton, VA
You crown the year with Your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake. Psalm 65:11 NET
Cheryl, Lilburn, GA: Matthew 22: 37-39
“And He said to him, ” ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ “This is the great and foremost commandment. “The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’
Joanne
St. Petersburg, FL
You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.
Psalm 65:11 NIV
Shaunthea-Anderson, IN
“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. (Philippians 4:6-7)NIV
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13
Roni Long – Alabama: HCSB.. 2 Chronicles 20:17 . “You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. He is with you, Judah and Jerusalem, Do not be afraid or discouraged. Tomorrow, go and face them for the Lord is with you.”
Sherie, Spring, TX
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Amy, Kansas City
Job 37:5 God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. NIV
*My Dad died yesterday. I need to imprint God’s word into my mind. Thank you for leading this once again. I didn’t have confidence in myself the first time, but I am going to commit to it this time around.
Lindy, Scott
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)
Lisa, Glenview, IL
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. Ephesians 4:29 NIV.
Diana Beaverdam, VA: Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 NIV
Miquela in Knoxville:
Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.
Psalm 119:2
NIV
Lucinda from Florence, AL – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deutronomy 6:5-7, NIV
Trish from Ohio:
1 John 4:9-11 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation fnor our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (ESV)
Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit. Ps. 51:12NAS
Tracey, Monroe, Georgia, “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13 NIV
Nicole, San Antonio, Texas
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”