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!
Linda from Dallas, Oregon:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” -James 1:2-4 (NIV)
Debbie
Abbeville
“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging symbol.”
1 Cor. 13:1 NAS
Linda – Madison, MS
The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior! Psalm 18:46 NIV
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
Psalm 119:11
NIV
Kelly – Abilene, TX
Rebecca, Pineville, LA: 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.
Anacortes, WA
John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
Staci from Queen City, TX
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. Proverbs, 15:13NIV
Tessa from Dallas, Oregon:
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.: -James 3:17 (NIV)
Marla, Mt. Juliet, TN
” Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion,kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Col 3:12-13 NIV
Shannon, Cape Town South Africa: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.”–Romans 8:18-19, NIV
Paula, Phoenix, AZ: “and in the desert…There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.” Dueteronomy 1:31 NIV
Jenny, Cedar Rapids – “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 Life Application Bible
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. NIV John 16:33
” Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”
1 Peter 4:10 NIV
Barbara, Phoenix
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Josh 1:9
ESV
This has been the verse that I have claimed since I was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2009. I had an operation and also underwent chemotherapy but is now clear. My sister put the verse in a frame and I still keep it on my desk at home. I just love to read it every day!
Leoni Botha
Durban, South Africa
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Phil.4:19 RS
Sarah, Leverett
“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Isa. 43:18-19 (NKJ)
Shelly-Seminole, FL “Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband-the LORD ALMIGHTY is his name..’ Isaiah 54:4-5a (NIV)
Rowlett, TX
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. NIV John 16:33
Jessica, New Braunfels
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. Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Jani – Agate, CO – Deuteronomy 30:6 – NIV
The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you may love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.
Shannon/White Hall, AR
“No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; He’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (MSG)
James 4:6 NIV
But he gives us more grace. That is why scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Alyson, Tallahassee – May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NLT
Patty – Glendora, CA “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
Melissa, Fort Worth
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5.
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)
Judi
Lancaster, PA
“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.
Matthew 5:14 The Message
“You crown the year with Your good blessings and you leave abundance in Your wake.: Psalm 65:11
Aidy, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada
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
Diana from Houston, TX
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit”
Romans 15:13 NLT
Angie B. in Powder Springs ~For to me, to live is Christ and… to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 NIV~
Jamie – Kennewick, WA
“You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 (NKJV)
Richmond, VA.
Matthew 7:5 New International Version
5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
2 Chron. 16:9a NIV
The Lord is my light and salvation, whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 NIV
Tolu, Boston MA
“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so you may be 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.” Joshua 1:8-9 NIV
Psalm 65:11
You crown the year with your good blessings, and you leave abundance in your wake.
Anna from Corvallis, OR
“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 desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43: 18-19(NIV)
Allison Atlanta, GA
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10 NIV
Sarah – St. Peters, MO
But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me.
Psalm 13:5-6 (NIV)
Melody, Ocean Springs
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
Bekka, Arkansas: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own undrstanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 Life Application Study NIV
Margo
Laramie, WY
Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.
Turn my heart toward your decrees, and not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things.
Psalm 119:35-37
DLynn, Amarillo: Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water which yield its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Psalm 1:1-3 NIV
Gloria from Cypress, TX “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” NIV
Carolyn** Bismarck, ND
Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?
Luke 9:23-25 NIV
Hope deferred makes the heart sick
proverbs 13:12
Karen
Tuscaloosa, AL
“For we are all baptized by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” 1 Corinthians 12:13 NIV
Ft Lauderdale, Fl
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 NKJV