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!
Mary, Portland: “But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.” Psalm 52:8-9 NIV
Jennifer
Fillmore, Missouri
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. 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 and pleasing, and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 NIV
Kim, Edmonds, WA: Deuteronomy 1:29-31 (New International Version 1984, ©1984) “29 Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. 30 The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, 31 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.”
Rebecca, Birmingham, AL : Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6: 19-21 (NIV)
Kristen, Athens, But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31ESV
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 NIV
Kay, Austin: Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6: 4-5
Karen, Grapevine, TX
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Matthew 6:25 (ESV)
Anne, Cerritos, “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, And in His word I hope.” Psalm 130:5 (NKJV)
Becca, Irving TX
Hebrews 9:28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (NIV)
Megan, East Africa: The LORD thy God is in the midst of thee, a mighty one who will save: He will rejoice over thee with joy, He will be silent in His love, He will joy over thee with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 (R.V.)
Ashley, Little Rock: You crown the year with your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake. Psalm 65:11 NET
Diane, Mississippi – laying down my fear of failure…
But God does not give us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Lindsey, Maryland ~ A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, but to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. Proverbs 27:7 NKJV (Thank u for Deut 1 verse – so touching!)
Lanna, Missouri: Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 NASB
Jennifer, Yellville, Ar.
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted: He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to prisoners. Is.61:1
NAS
Hayley, South Carolina: 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. 2Cor 9:8
Trish, Franklin, TN:
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105, NIV
Emily, Fort Worth: Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my live according to your word. Psalm 119:36, 37. NIV
‘He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.’
Micah 6:8 NIV
Rachel, Alpharetta, GA
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
BrendaJ, Perrysburg,OH
Jan.4, 2011 @ 12:09 a.m.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:12 (NLT)
Jen Decker, Sierra Vista, AZ
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but (He has given us a spirit) of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7, Amplified Bible
Jenn, Katy, TX: 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. Phil 4:6-7 NIV
You crown the year with your bounty,
and your carts overflow with abundance.
Psalm 65:11 (NIV)
Tiffany, Loveland, OH
“For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:13-14)
Amy from Rapid City, SD: “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
Stacia, Keizer, OR.
“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 1 Peter 1:14
1 Peter 1:14
Do you see what we’ve got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander. He’s actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he won’t quit until it’s all cleansed. God himself is Fire! Hebrews 12:28-29 (The Message)
Pam, Watkinsville,
You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Psalm 73:24 NLT
Alissa,age 10, Chester VA
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory! Isaiah 6:3 ESV
“Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of may kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” James 1:2-3, NIV
You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.
Psalm 65:11 NIV
Mary Catherine, Dry Ridge: “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” Psalm 90:14, NIV
natalie, millington: psalm 19:14 “may the words of my mouth & the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, O LORD my Rock & my Redeemer.” (NLT)
Lise, Indianapolis
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone!
The new has come!”
(NIRV) – New International Reader’s Version
Nicky, Taipei, Taiwan
I desire to do your will O my God. Your law is within my heart.
Psalm 40:8 NIV
Krista, Portland: She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the Law of Kindness. Proverbs 31:26. NKJ 🙂
Patty, Ashland, Nehemiah 8:10b, English Standard Version: …the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Beth, Eugene: FIRST TIME ON BLOG – You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance Ps 65:11.
Jourdan, Dallas, TX: “Remember not the former things, nor consider the days of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19, ESV
Jessica – Searcy, AR
Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is a light for me. – Micah 7:8 NASB
Kayla, Springfield, OR:
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” -Ephesians 4:29, NASB
A friend of mine from HS posted her first verse online (facebook) and wouldn’t you know, the Lord had been laying on my heart that I NEED to start memorizing scripture! So, I asked her what sort of “system” she used for this and she put me onto this blog, the spiral notebook, and the SSMT!! I’m so thankful and excited to start. Here’s my verse:
Phil 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NASB)
Amber, Japan:
“All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139:16 NIV
Beth, Rotterdam, Netherlands:
Let no 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
Janet Murphy, NC
ISA 43:18-19. NIV
18 “Forget the former things;
   do not dwell on the past.
19 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.
Tammy, Texas: In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:12
NIV
Leslie from Maui:1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Romans 5:1
“5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father
Philipians 2:5-11, NIV