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!
Cathy, Cincinnati – Philippians 4:6. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Sandy, 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 NET
Jaime – Chesapeake, VA
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22, NIV
Christine, Woodstock GA:
“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10 NIV
Marilyn
Washington, IN
Romans 12:1 (NLT)
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind He will find accepable. His is truely the way to worship Him.
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 KJV
Cindy – Michigan
I am the gate: whoever enters through me will be saved.
They come in and go out and find pasture.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy
I have come that they may have life and have it to the full (abundantly)
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:9-11 NIV
Holly, Longview, TX
And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and throns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house. You shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious. Ezekiel 2:6-7 NKJV
It’s only Jan. 7th, and God has already used this verse in my life to set me free from a terrible habit. I thought this verse was a little out of the ordinary when He prompted me to choose it, but He is being faithful to complete the work He started in me! I am teary-eyed as I think about the small area of wrong-thinking (my rebellion to not do the work right in front of me coupled with fear of man) that has caused so much havoc in my life! Praise Him for life-altering freedom!!
I know we are just supposed to leave this section for our verses, but if I didn’t tell my Siestas about this I thought I might explode! Love ya’ll!
EricaR, Louisiana:
Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
James 3:18 NIV
Marti Sullivan
Charlotte, NC
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that he rhard service has been completetd, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice of one calling” “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. An the GLORY of the LORD will be revealed, and all the people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Isaiah 40:1-5 NIV
Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let Thy glory be above all the earth.
Psalm 57:5 KJV
Maria, SC
“Behold, I will make you into a new threshing sledge with sharp teeth: You shall thresh the mountains and beat them small, and make the hills like chaff.” Isaiah 41:15 NKJV
Patti, Kissimmee, FL
Leslie
Wisner, La.
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.
Phil. 2:3-4, ESV
Andrea, Lancaster, PA
“It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”
Isaiah 55:11, NLT
Julie/Greenview, IL
“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
Sarah, NC “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you; do not be afraid; do not be discouraged; ” Deut 31:8
Deborah J., Clearwater, FL
But this land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven. It is a land the LORD your God cares for; the eyes of the LORD your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end.
(Deuteronomy 11:11-12, NIV)
Tammy-Hendersonville,TN
“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.” Psalm 143:8 NIV
Christi, Madison(GA)
“You crown the year with your good blessings, and you leave abundance in your wake.”
Psalm 65:11
East Tennessee
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight”
Philippians 1:9 (NIV)
Frankfort, IN
Instead you thrill to GOD’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night, Psalm 1:2, MSG
Stephanie, Elkins: The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2 NIV
Barbara, Arcadia
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Romans 12:2a, NLT
Newnan, Ga
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NIV
Brenda, Flemington, NJ
But, I, yes I, am the one who takes care of your sin-that’s what I do. I don’t keep a list of your sins.
Isaiah 43:25 (The Message)
April, Lawrenceville GA
22 “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.”
Lam 3:22, 23 NIV
Traci, Frankfort,KY
“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
Lori B. – Pensacola, FL
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3 KJV
Christina,Egenhausen: Thus says the LORD, “Stand by the roads, & look, & ask 4 the ancient paths, where the good way is, & walk in it, & find rest 4 your souls.” But they said, “We will not walk in it.” ESV–1st post ever!
Chantel, San Angelo Psalm 65:11 (NLT) – You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
…discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.” Romans 12:17-19
Tonya, Cumming, GA: 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
Teri, Spearfish, SD – No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
I Corinthians 10:13 (New King James version)
Hampstead, NC: Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – NIV
Jaime, Columbus: Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall. Psalm 55:22 NIV
Kristin from Midland, MI: “Be careful for nothing: But in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
Philipians 4:6 – King James Version
Anna
Redford, Michigan
Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8 (NLT)
Working on forgiveness.
Manthie, Picayune, MS: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,for they will be filled.” – Matthew 5:6 NIV
Lesa – Lebo, KS – As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be humble and gentle;patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Eph 4:1-3
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.
Sorry, late…working (nurse)
Cheri (Louisville)
“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”
I Corinthians 1:9 (KJV)
Amy-Tyler,TX
I want to know Christ-yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3:10-11
Allison
Broken Arrow, OK
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. 2 Chronicles 20:12b (NIV)
Shari, Lewisville: You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isa 26:3 NIV
Matthew 25:29 New Living Translation
To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.
Amy Hammons
Fayetteville, TN
Diana ~ Omaha, NE
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 NIV
Maryann: Boise, Idaho:
“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is BEST for you, who directs you in the way you should go” Isaiah 48:17 NIV
Kiana Lea, Austin, TX
“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9a NIV
“An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband.”
1 Corinthians 7:34
Jennifer, Portsmouth: “May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.” ~1 Thessalonians 3:13 NIV