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!
Tria, Somerdale NJ
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
Nicole, Winnipeg, MB
1 Corinthians 2:9
However, as it is written:
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him”
Darcy, Rock Falls, IL: “For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” James 1:3 NLT
Lisa S., Sparks, NV “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.” 2 Cor 9:15 NIV
Becky, Beaverton OR
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-2 NIV
Jacqueline, Portland, OR: “He will pray to God, and God will delight in him. That man will behold His face with a shout of joy, and God will restore his righteousness to him.” Job 33:26 Holman
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:14 ESV
Gayle,Atkins,AR:You crown the year with a bountiful harvest;even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NLT
Rosie, Tacoma WA
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord. Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving. Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms!!! Psalm 95:1-2 NKJV
Karyn, Elberfeld: “Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.” Phil 4:5(NAS)
Carolyn, Dallas, TX: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Lisa, Rogers, AR: “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
Psalm 27:14 (Amplified Bible)
14Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.
Heidi
Fayetteville, GA
christina, Plano, TX: “God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You. I thirst for You; my body faints for You in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water,” (Psalm 63:1, HCSB).
Nancy, Sioux City, IA
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
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, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
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, pleasing and perfect will.
Gretchen, Gahanna, OH–If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so that you will be My disciples. John 15:7-8 (NKJV)
Kristen, Sumrall, MS: “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.” Psalm 119: 124-125, Good News Bible
Fynette from Ft. Myers
Proverbs 18:19 (New International Version)
A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
Eunice, Montreal, “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 through the desert,
rivers in the badlands.” Isaiah 43:18-19. Message
Acts 8:32
Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this:
“He was led as a sheep to slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
So He does not open His mouth.”
Jessica
Woodstock, VT
Joan, Hudson, FL
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. – Phil 4:13 (NIV-The Quest)
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.” Psalm 20:7-8
Robin, Los Alamos, 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
Toni, Morgans Point Resort, TX: “Do not let any 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.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Lori, Pelham, NH – “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Psalm 139:1, King James Version.
Heidi, Boonville: Luke 6:37 MSG Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier.
Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Matthew 6:33-34, The Message
Ina Lynn, Hattiesburg, MS: “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 tracings.” Psalm 119:124-125, Good News Bible
Carol, Jena, LA
Deal with Your servant according to Your love and teach me Your decrees. I am Your servant; give me discernment that I may understand Your statutes.
Psalm 119:124-125 (NIV)
“You’re my servant, serving on my side. I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you’…I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you…I’m not letting go.” Isaiah 41:9-10,13 The Message
Cindy Wincel
Indianapolis, IN
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
… and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 51:10-12
And for my children to memorize:
Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God.
Jo, Fremont
“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 wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18-19
“He is the Blessed and only Sovereign, the King of all kings and the Master [Lord] of all masters [Lords]” . ~ 1 Tim 6:15 (HCSB)
Pamela
Missouri
Mary, Chattanooga, TN: That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-whatever they do prospers.
Not so the wicked!/They are like chaff/that the wind blows away. Psalm 1:3-4
Dayla, Springfield,Mo
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. Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
LeAnne, Malawi,Africa: “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
Jackie, Cincinnati: When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Col. 3:4 NIV
Karen
Cookeville, TN.
Psalm 65:11 New King James
You crown the year with Your goodness,
And Your paths drip with abundance.
Betty
Wendell, NC
But I do not consider my life worth anything to myself, so that I may finish my task and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God’s grace. Acts 20:24 The NET Bible
Andrea, Saskatchewan: For we know that our old self was crucified with him, so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. Romans 6:6, NIV
Alicia, Gulfport, MS. “Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.” Phil 4:8 NIV
Beth, Fountain Inn SC: “But if I say, ‘I will not mention His word or speak anymore in His name,’ His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in. Indeed, I cannot.” Jeremiah 20:9
Cheri, Cincinnati, OH: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 NIV
Carrie, Columbus, OH: May God have my all–“May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify me through and through. May my whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.” 1 Thes. 5;23,24
Christy, Talking Rock, Georgia.
God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes. Psalm 18:24 (MSG)
Kelly-South Carolina: But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 33 & 34-NET
Marlynda, Tuscaloosa, AL
Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. I Cor.6:19-20 KJV
CarrieBeth, Arkansas: “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.” Phil. 4:6 The Message