Saturday afternoon: It’s a sweep! 50 out of 50 states! And His banner over us is love.
Friday Evening: Sisters, one of our Siestas worked up some stats but didn’t request it to be listed because it might not be 100% accurate. She felt like it was pretty close though. Listen, if it’s even in the ball park, it’s great fun! Take a look at this:
Siestas Scripture Memory Team Stats:
States: 48 out of 50
Countries or Provinces: 9
Books of the Bible used: 50 out of 66
Verses used most often: Isaiah 33:6 and Zephaniah 3;17
Book of the Bible used most: The Psalms
Number of Bible translations used: 16
Number of Siestas wanting a Jesus-kind-of-year: At 5:42, 2452 and counting!
Is that cool or what? Thank you, Dear Siesta!
Friday noon update: You guys are doing fabulously! KEEP IT UP! We’re looking for just a couple of hundred more from folks who signed up but haven’t had a chance to enter their Scripture yet. Stick with it, Sweet Things! Follow through! I wanted to tell you how timely and wonderful and providential I think our God is. Early in the holidays something (not small) happened that hurt my feelings so badly I almost couldn’t get over it. (Actually, I didn’t get over it very well. Still feel sore today but at some point you’ve got to get a grip.) God knew I’d have to look at about a jillion Scriptures in order to moderate all these comments. You cannot imagine how much He used them (is still using them) to help me push the reset button on my brain. I wrote several of them down and spoke others of them over my own life. He’s so faithful. Nothing is accidental. Anyway, I love y’all and want you to know that my soul is so often fed and encouraged here.
January 1st, 12:04 AM:
UPDATE: Way to go, Siestas! It’s 8:00 AM on New Year’s Day and we are off to a great start! Wanted to answer a question I’ve seen several times. Yes, of course, you can still join us! Sign up on the original “Anybody Game?” post then comment here with your name, city and verse. All are welcome! If you’ll read both posts, you’ll know exactly what to do.
Happy New Year, Beloved Siestas! It’s going to be a JESUS-YEAR for every single one of us who really wants one. And I WANT ONE. NEED ONE.
OK, Ladies! Let’s start memorizing some Scripture! Here’s what you do today (and on the 15ths and 1sts of the months that will follow): You will put your name, your city, and your verse (with reference and translation abbreviation) in a comment to this post . Try to resist making any other comments so that we’ve got almost straight Scripture down the post. It will be a feast for our souls. It will also be fun to see if any of us chose the same verse.
I will always post the verse I’ve chosen in case some of you are having trouble figuring yours out. (You’ll find it below.) You are welcome to memorize the same one I or any other Siesta chooses. However, you still need to put your name, city, and the verse in a comment to this post. It’s a vital part of the accountability. Don’t feel silly or like you’ve copied. That’s what the Body of Christ is for! Many of the first Scriptures I memorized were those I heard other teachers or leaders recite and I knew I wanted those words for myself. It’s a normal part of discipleship so feel free!
Ladies, I’m going to take this privilege that you’ve given me seriously. The ENORMOUS response to the Scripture memory post conveys how much we know we need to get some Scripture in permanent marker on our brains (so pleasing to God!) and what an important factor accountability is. SO, consider me holding you accountable. If you signed up on that post (“Anybody Game?”), I want to see your John Hancock on here two times a month for the next year. And I mean it. LET’S DO THIS THING. NO DROP OUTS. NO QUITTERS. We can do this! And we get to do this together!
Over 2500 signed up and I’m going to estimate that probably 100 accidentally commented twice SO I want to see at least 2400 comments on each 1st and 15th Scripture memory post. Try to do it within the first 24 hours of the post both times each month so you will stick with it and take it seriously. I have learned along the way that when you start putting something off, the power to obey and prosper in it begins to drain and soon we lose our fervor. Resist thinking to yourself by the third or fourth month, “Well, I’m not going to take the time to sign in but I’ll still memorize the Scripture.” I can almost guarantee you (based on experience) that you will not memorize 24 Scriptures by the end of 2009 without sticking with the accountability part of putting your name down each time. SIGN IN TWICE EVERY MONTH! Even come AUGUST!
Along the way I’ll keep cheering you on and will give you some Scripture memory tips if you need them. I’ll be cheered on myself by your priceless participation in the commitment. I’m so serious when I tell you that I believe we’re getting a HUGE nod from God on this. I sense divine DELIGHT.
OK, my Scripture is one I stumbled on in the NET (New English Translation) some months ago and fell in love with but didn’t memorize right then. I want to do it now as I see so much instability and uncertainty swirling (so unnecessarily) around Christ’s people. The verse is also great in the NIV if you want to give it a look but I’m going to memorize it in this version. Here goes:
“He is your constant source of stability (IS THAT GREAT OR WHAT??); He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; He gives all this to those who fear Him.” Isaiah 33:6 NET
That’s mine. OK, what about yours? Sign up, Sweet Ones! Keep in mind that it may take a while for you to see your comment show up. We choose to moderate every comment to every post in order to protect our LPM blog from trash. It takes a while to get through several thousand comments when we suddenly have a big response! My blog-brainchild, Amanda, will be flying home with her family all day so I won’t have her help. I’ll get the comments on there though, maybe slowly but surely! And I will treasure every single one and celebrate your impending victory.
Would you pray with me as we launch this year’s commitment?
Our Abba and our God, from cities and states all over this nation and from other parts of this globe, we band together as one beautifully diverse sisterhood to offer You the praise You are so worthy to receive. We thank You for how You have taught us, sustained us, comforted us and even disciplined over the course of the last year and now we entrust every bit of it to You. Redeem what still hurts. Mend what remains broken. Heal what is still sick. We give what is behind us over to You but now we cast a deliberate gaze toward our future. We need You. We want You. We ask You for a pure, unadulterated JESUS-YEAR. We want to have one badly enough to make a joint commitment to hide Your Word in our hearts, to let it renew our brains, and become a Sword in our hands.
We commit this day to memorize or voraciously meditate on 24 Scriptures in 2009. Lord, we know from past experience that You alone can give us the unction to keep a single profound commitment for longer than ten minutes. We believe, however, based on Your Word, that You are the Initiator of all things faith (Hebrews 12:2) and that what You call us to do, You also empower us to do (Hebrews 10:23). We receive from You this day the anointing to memorize Your Word. We invite it to abide in us and bear much fruit. We ask You to make it powerful and healing to us. Transforming and beautifying. Bring forth a one-hundred fold harvest from every Scripture You sow into our spirits and cause us to be mightier in our battles than we’ve ever been in our lives. Start a fire in us that cannot be quenched even by death.
Lord, oddly as I type this prayer to You, it is approaching midnight on January 1st and all sorts of fireworks are going off right around my house as my dear neighbors celebrate the dawn of a New Year. I can see the lights out my breakfast room window and feel the whistles and booms of every bottle rocket all the way down in my chest. I won’t lie. It’s thrilling. But I hope something far more exhilarating is happening in the heavenlies. I pray that some mighty spiritual fireworks are going on over the houses of every single one of these women who love You and seek so desperately to please You…and many under very difficult circumstances. I sense Your own celebration. Your own anticipation. Because as unfathomable as this thought is to each of us, while we want a Jesus-year, You want an us-year. We are looking forward to You. And You, our Lord and our God, are looking forward to us. Mind blowing. We are so relieved that You think more of us than we think of ourselves. Help us to think more like You.
We love You so much, Lord. We want to love You so much more. More love to Thee, O God. More light to see Thee, Lord. Make Your Son the dearest thing in all of life to us this year. And every other thing of true value will be added to us. (Matthew 6:33)
In Jesus’ Saving, Miracle-working, Delivering Name,
Amen.
Tags: Scripture Memory
everything is permissible- but not everything is beneficial. everything is permissible- but not everything constructive. 1 corin. 10:25
I am my beloved’s and his desire is for me.
Song of Solomon 7:10 (NASB)
Katherine, Houston, TX
Pat
Bigfork, MT
NIV
Romans 8:28
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.
Pat
Bigfork, MT
NIV
Psalm 23:1
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy. He will be quiet in his love. He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:17
Hannah
Knoxville, TN
Julie G
Prior Lake, MN
NIV
2 Corinthians 10:3-4
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 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.
Rachel
Grand Rapids, MI
John 3:30
He must become greater; I must become less.
Psalm 143:8
Already put my scripture in, just hadn’t signed my name.
Paula D. Katy, TX
Kathy W.
Valrico, Florida
Psalm 34:4 NIV
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
He maketh the storm a calm that the waves thereof are still.
Psalms 107:29 kjv
Mulls Chuckey TN
“About Benjamin He said: Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.”
Deuteronomy 33:12 NIV
Lisa
Cartersville GA
“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Galatians 1:10 (NIV)
Abby
Littleton, CO
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.†2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV
(I started a little late, so I’m just posting this as “catch-up” so that I’ll be set for the fun in 2010!)
Barbra Keeler
Oxford, PA
OK, I am finally going back and catching up on this Scripture memory thing! (When I signed up, I did not realize how crazy the first3 months of life with twins would be! But because life is and has been so crazy, that gives me all the more need to wallpaper my mind with His Word! I’m gonna do this thing!)
Faith
Columbia, SC
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
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.
“He is your constant source of stability (IS THAT GREAT OR WHAT??); He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; He gives all this to those who fear Him.” Isaiah 33:6 NET
From the ends of the earth I call to You. I call as my heart grows faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Psalm 61:2 (NIV)
Sheila
Ashburnham, MA
Anita Brunson
Austin, TX
(NIV) Psalm 40:1 I waited patiendly for the Lord: he turned to me and heard my cry.
He is your constant source of stability ; He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; He gives all this to those who fear Him.
Isaiah 33:6 NET
Bri Peterson
Ballwin, MO
So do not fear, for I am your God, 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 41:10
Ashley
Marrero, LA
Jackie L.
Jacksboro, TX
New Living Translation
James 1:3-4
“For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.”
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9
Joy Rickner
Marion, IN
I know this is a long one, but coming out of the pit, hanging on to God for dear life, I NEED everyone of those verses.
Psalm 63:1-3,7-8 (KJV)
1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
8 My soul followth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV)
“Call unto me and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
Ivy Morrison
Willis, TX
January 1st: Isaiah 33:6–loved this verse as soon as I read it. The Lord has used it oh-so-much in my dealing with my fickle girl emotions!
Matthew 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
NIV
Debbie Nix
January 1, 2009
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:40
NIV
Debbie Nix
Dalzell, SC
January 1, 2009
I posted this earlier but left the city out so I listed it again. I just heard about this from a friend today. I’m getting a late start but am so excited!!! Debbie
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 thoughts higher than your thoughts and my ways, your ways.” Is 55:8-9 NIV
Lezlie
Katy, TX
Cookie Cawthon from Florence, SC
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.
Psalm 119:133 (NIV)
Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. Hosea 10:12 NIV
Heather W., WDM, IA
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” Ps 143:8 NIV
Re-do! Forgot to put city on orig post of verse 1 on 3/15.
Susan
Katy, TX
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thes. 5:16-18 (NIV)
Dana- San Diego, CA
A catch-up verse for January 1, 2009. I have already posted all the others.
Philippians 1:9-11 NIV
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and dept of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.”
Joy
Salina, Kansas
Patsy D
Tupelo, MS
Zeph 3:17 NIV
17 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.”
Here’s Jan 1st! Whew…”It is written, man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matt 4:4
Chrissie C
New York NY
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes the sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 5:44-45 (ESV)
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. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all 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, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:16-21 (NIV)
Karey Piper
Justin, Texas
Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardedn by sins deceitfulness.
Leanne S
Jacksonville, FL
Christa Wade
Bryan, TX
St. Joseph’s
Luke 1:28 – And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.”
Rachel B
Blaine, WA
1 Sam 15:23 ESV
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubborness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.
Anna Marie Hopewell
Phil 4: 8
“Finally, brothers, 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.”
NIV (UK) Version
howdy my verse is I JOhn 1:9
If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to fogive us
and cleanse us from all sins
Leslie and SueC
John 10:14,15 NIV
I am the good shepherd, I know my sheep and my sheep know me-
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father -and I lay down my life for the sheep
Isaiah 33:6 NET
“He is your constant source of stability; He aboundantly provides safety and great wisdom; He gives all this to those who fear Him.”
Judy Peterson
East Chain, MN
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.”
Psalm 56:7 NLT
Amy
Mobridge, SD
Eizabeth R.
Falls Church, VA
Psalm 16:2
“I said to the Lord, you are my Lord,
apart from you, I have no good thing.”
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.”
Psalm 119:9 NIV
Kelly Womack
Fort Smith, AR
Glad I'm not the only one playing catch up.
Psalm 51:6-7
"Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hssop, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow."
Diana <><
Seekonk, MA
“Though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls”
1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV
Catch up verse:
For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.
Romans 6:9 NIV
Tracey
DeKalb, TX
Shannon
Houston, TX
Acts 3:19
Repent then and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped away and times of refreshing come from the Lord.