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!
Yvonne, Indianapolis, IN “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,” Phil 1:27 ESV
“Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” Philippians 2:14-16 (ESV)
Jocelyn
Huntsville, AL
Ashley-Beth, Baton Rouge: “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever…do not abandon the works of your hands.” Psalm 138:8 NIV
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)
I love you, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn on my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:1-2 [NIV]
Nikky, Sweeny, TX – “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:4,5 ESV
James 1:17 (NIV)
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Michelle, Roswell, GA:
Ezekiel 36:27 “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.” NASB
Jennifer D, San Antonio, TX: “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.” Psalm 56:3 NKJV
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:1-3 New American Standard Bible
Courtney, Prosper: Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NIV
Lacey, Alto, MI
“For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Zephaniah 3:17, NLT
Leaving tomorrow for 3 week sabbatical!
Jennifer, Cincinnati, OH
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. – Matthew 11:28-29 Message version
Wendy, Raleigh, “I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:12 NIV
Tina, Granby, CT: “17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
Melanie, Portland, Oregon: I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in His Word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. (Psalm 130:5-6 NIV).
Stephanie, Cynthiana, Ky
“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:58(NIV)
Julie from Cincinnati, OH. Proverbs 13:10- Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. (NLT)
You crown the year with Your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake.
Psalm 65:11 NET
Shawn, Covington, GA
Emily, Monroe, LA: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4 NIV
Brandy-Prattville, AL.
“…make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perserverence…”
2 Peter 1:5-6 NIV
Christy, Greeley, CO: Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you. He will never fail you or abandon you. Deut. 31:8 NLT
My 11 year old daughter, Josie: “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Rev. 1:8 NIV
My mom asked me to put hers in this time. 🙂
Linda, Greeley, CO: O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done marvelous things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1 NIV
My 8 year old daughter, Isabel wants to participate, too: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am Your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
El Cajon, California
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Hey sis now we’re siestas!
Bobbie, Ft. Walton Beach, FL: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds. James 1:2, NIV
Debbie, Olathe, KS: “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” Titus 2:11-14
Julie
Livermore, CA
“Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me.”
Psalm 103:2 NLT
Bev W. Cadillac, Mi, This is the focus verse for my mission trip this year.
Isaiah 58:6-9a (Contemporary English Version)
I’ll tell you what it really means to worship the LORD. Remove the chains of prisoners who are chained unjustly. Free those who are abused! Share your food with everyone who is hungry; share your home with the poor and homeless. Give clothes to those in need; don’t turn away your relatives. Then your light will shine like the dawning sun, and you will quickly be healed. Your honesty will protect you as you advance, and the glory of the LORD will defend you from behind. When you beg the LORD for help, he will answer, “Here I am!”
elaine / brea, ca
Romans 8: 1-2
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus 2 For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set yous free from the law of sin and death. (NET)
Beth, Montoursville, PA: He has showed you, O (wo)man, 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
“The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will bring you quietness with His love. He will delight in you with shouts of joy.” Zeph. 3:17 HCSB
Beth, Taylorsville, GA
Cassandra, Crawfordsville, IN, “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Rom 12:11-12 ESV
Ashley DeLen, Alma Kansas:
Psalm 119:4-5
“You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.
Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!”
Kelly, Houston, Texas: The LORD is the strength of his people,a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever. Psalm 28:8-9 NIV
Kelli, Barboursville, WV
“It is the same with my word. I will send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will acomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”
Isaiah 55:11 NLT
Donna, Mesquite: For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 ESV version
Catherine,Montgomery: For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Sherry, Dayton,NV~ Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. ~Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)
Becca, Salem, OR: “Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (MSG)
Petra, Ceres, CA
“YOURS, O LORD,
is the GREATNESS,
& the POWER,
& the GLORY,
& the VICTORY,
& the MAJESTY,
for ALL that is in the heaven & the earth is YOURS;
YOURS is the kingdom, O LORD, & YOU are exalted as head above ALL” !!!!
I Chronicles 29:11
Karen, Lynnwood, WA: “There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor. The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you” Deut. 22:26-27a – New Living Translation
Tori from Lewisville
Now all Glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us,to acomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)
Colleen. Cape Town, South Africa.
You crown the year with Your good blessings,and you leave abundance in Your wake. NET
Kalyn, Binghamton, NY
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:2-4 (NIV)
Rachel Watseka, IL
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Galations 5:25 ESV
Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
Oops. Jill, Fort Ashby, WV
Judy, Oswego, NY
Psalm 139: 23-24 (NIV)
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
NIV version
Happy New Year!
Judy, Ridgecrest
It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same *spirit of faith we also believe and therefore we speak
2 Corinthians 4:13 NIV
*breath
Beth ~ Gig Harbor, WA
And to man He said,” Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” Job 28:28 (NASB)
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. II Tim 2:15 KJV