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!
Vickie, Louisville, KY: My God, whom have I in heaven but you. And earth has nothing I desire besides you. Psalm 73:25 New International Version
Shannon, Greenville, “Humble yourself, therefore under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 peter 4:6-7
Debbie, Cheyenne, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. Ps. 19:14 NASB
Linda, Boulder CO: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning wih God. John 1:1-2 New Revised Standard
Kathy, Shreveport, La.
” But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it- he will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:25 NIV
Knoxville
“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”
Philippians 4:6-7, The Message
Laurie, New Hope, VA – “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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning it shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Romans 12:1-2 NIV.
This is Hebrews 12:1-2, not Romans.
Kelly Jo, Jasper, TN : Then He said to them all, ” If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” Luke 9:23 NKJV
You crown the year with Your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake.
Psalm 65:11
The NET Bible
Michele ~ Kenosha, WI
Doris, Austin TX
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Fenton, Ashburn, VA:”But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftines, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity and purity that is in Christ.” 2Cor.11:3 NKJ (I am a sister, in case you were wondering)
Linda – Sheboygan, WI 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.”
Karla, Maumee, OH
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
Kim B., Orlando, FL – “Forget about what’s happened! Don’t keep going over old history. Be alert! Be present! I’m about to do something brand new. It’s bursting out. Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road in the desert and rivers in the badlands.” Isaiah 43:18-19 The Message
Melanie, Atlanta: Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self controlled, set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
1Peter 1:13 NIV
From Pitman NJ:
“Be strong and courageous and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you…” 1 Chronicles 28:20 (NLT)
Anita, Hartsville; Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God”. Mark 10:27, NIV
Lori
Mapleville, RI
For I know what I have planned for you says the Lord. I have plans to prosper you not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Audra, Florence, SC: “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
Amy,Easley,SC 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 before us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV
Joyce, Oklahoma…put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another and forgivng one another, if anyone has complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
Colossians 3:12 (long verse, but God said this one)
Mercy is to show compassion, especially to those who are hurting. It involves feeling the pains and needs of others. It is pity, forbearance shown toward an offender and it is to pardon someone or to show favor.
As God shows mercy toward His people.
Kindness not only includes saying nice things, but doing nice things. Kindness is going above and beyond the call of duty to help someone out. It is to show sympathy and to be gentle. God shows His tenderness dealing with His people in Jesus Christ.
Humility means you recognize your own weakness. It is being willing to forego some of your own rights in order to help someone else. It is to consider others as more important than yourself.
Meekness is to treat others with gentleness. It is a harnessed strength. It is willingness to suffer injury instead of inflicting it.
Longsuffering is to be patient or steadfast. It is patient endurance of injury, trouble or provocation. It is willing to put up with difficult people and forgive offenses.
Bearing with one another means to endure, to hold out against injury, indifference and not retaliate. It is to love, be at peace or to support. It is acceptance.
Forgiving is pardon and imitate forgiveness as Christ did for us. It means letting go of any grudges, or anger.
We are to love by put another person’s needs above our own in the way Christ does by showing brotherly love and kindness toward others. We are to love others even when they do not love us or appreciate who we are.
Perfection is to make complete or excellent. When we love one another, our love becomes the perfect bond of unity that binds us together.
The are all Godly characteristics we want to acquire in our relationships with others. It also goes along with the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. As Christans relationships are important. How we live and behave should reflect the image of Christ. Choose to follow Christ each day.
Charlotte, Ridgecrest
Psalm 84:11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. NKJ
Shelli, Fort Worth, TX: Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Linda from Colorado: (Colossians 3:1-3)Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
from Janine, Oklahoma City. “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:8
Isaiah 43:1
But now, this is what the LORD says, he who created you, Jacob,he who formed you, Israel:“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” NIV
Meghan, Lexington, KY
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”
2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
Bethany, Denver, CO “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angeles nor demons, neither the present nor the future nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus” Romans 8:38-39 TNIV
Rachel, Fort Smith, AR: “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Prov. 15:1 ESV
Shara, Somerset, CA Psalm 138:1 NIV
I will praise You Lord, with all my heart, before the gods I will sing Your praise.
“If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.” Ecclesiastes 11:4 NLT
Becky
Chattanooga, TN
Holly, Beaumont, CA: “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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 NIV
Nancy, Roswell Jer 17:7-8 But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. NIV
Janet from Springfield, MO: “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. Isaiah 32:17 NIV
Vertina, Corpus Christi,TX: But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Ps 5:11 NIV
Valerie, Louisville
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
Jean, Salisbury, NC, Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called Children of God!
1 John 3:1, NKJV
Janine from Oklahoma City:
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” NASB
Erin “Redd” of Houston, TX
Isaiah 40:31 NIV “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.
Psalme 119:124-125, Good News Bible
Treat me according to your constant love and teach me your commands. I am your servant, give me understanding so that i may know your teachings.
Linda
Johnstown, PA
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
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.
Andrea from Mansfield, Tx
” They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isa 40:31 (NIV)
Susan,Stillwater,OK: “Be very careful, then, how you live— not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV
Jackie, Versailles, KY: “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
Becky, New Kensington, PA: Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 NIV
Renita, Woodstock, GA: Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Alissa, Ashland,KY
Phil 3:8
More than that, I count ALL things to be loss in view of the surpassing VALUE of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of ALL things, and count them but rubbish SO THAT I MAY GAIN CHRIST,
Phil 3:8 NASB
Pamela Sue, Palm Bay, Florida
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how His ways will really satisfy you.”
The Book-The Living Bible
….Romans 12:2
Jennifer, Nashville, TN
Save me O God for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters, the floods engulf me. Psalm 69:1-2 NIV
Anne,Wauchula
Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually. Psalms 105:4 (ESV)