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!
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Cor. 15:58 NLT
Diane in Gig Harbor, WA: Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40, NIV
Katelyn in Gig Harbor, WA: “God is against the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So give yourselves completely to God. Stand against the devil, and the devil will run from you. Come near to God, and God will come near to you. You sinners, clean sin out of your lives. You who are trying to follow God and the world at the same time, make your thinking pure. James 4:6b-8 NIV
Cheri, Savage, MN
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Amy, Mustang Oklahoma “Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.” Isaiah 26:12 (NIV)
Laura, Little Rock. “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
“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.”
Is 43:18-19 NIV
Holly
Williamston, SC
Christine Smith, California: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 2 Cor 5:17 NASB
Strength and dignity are her clothing and she laughs at the time to come. Proverbs 31:25 ESV
Lisa, Calgary: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
Karen R.
Coffeyville, KS
Job 19:25-27 NIV
I know that my Redeemer lives and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed yet in my flesh I will see God. I myself will see him with my own eyes; I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me.
Karen, Dover, NH “Sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise His name, proclaim His salvation day after day.” Ps. 96:1-2 NIV
Kiri, Doncaster, England: 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
Michele, Liverpool, NY: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jer 33:3, NRSV.
This year’s theme: gospel-drenched verses!
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.” Ephesians 1:3-4 ESV
Chrystie
Piedmont, SC
Jennifer, Park City, “You received Christ Jesus as Lord. So keep living in Him. Have your roots in Him. Build yourselves up in Him. Grow strong in what you believe, just as you were taught. Be more thankful than ever before.” Colossians 2:6&7, NIrV
Amy: Columbus, OH: 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)
One of my favorite!! 🙂
Columbia, SC
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19
NIV
Erin, Herndon
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life-
1 John 1:1, NKJV
Darcy, Houston:Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 The New International Version.
Kristen, Johns Creek, GA: Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”
NIV
Yolanda, Queen City, Texas: Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8, NIV
Sue, St. Louis:
Give, and it will be given unto you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Luke 6:38 NIV
Barbara
Midland
Proverbs 2:3-5(ESV)
yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
Sarah, Burlington, ON: “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear.” Psalm 112:7-8a (TNIV)
Joanne, Galesburg
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 NIV
Christy from Lancaster, PA: “We brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.” 1 Timothy 6:7-8 (NRSV)
Kim, Charlotte: “Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.” 2 Cor 5:9 NASB
Kristi, Batesville, Arkansas: Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palm of my hands: your walls are ever before me.” (Is 49:15, 16, NIV).
But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world so we cannot take anything out of it either. And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
I Timothy 6:6-8 NASB
Janice
Arcanum, OH
Jenna, Spartanburg, SC: For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and it will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and not delay. Habakkuk 2:3 NIV
Kelly, Eupora “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings becoming like him in His death” Philippians 3:10, NIV
Sherry in Marietta GA
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lords determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NIV
Nancy, Sebring FL Isaiah 41:10 New Living Translation
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Tara, Kosciusko
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
NIV
Matthew 6:24 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” NIV
Wendy, Las Cruces: “And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me.” Jeremiah 32:40 NKJV
Jodi from Loganville “Is any one of us in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.”. James 5:13, NIV
Angela, Tennessee
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Charity
Cardiff, Wales
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:11
Kristen, Johns Creek, GA: Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35 (NIV)
Krista, Jamesburg, NJ: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.(Lamentations 3:22-23, NLT)
Deidra
Waynesboro
KJV
II Cor. 11:3
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his sublety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Ann from Indiana
Peace I leave with you; My (own) peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. ( Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated & disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful & intimidated & cowardly & unsettled.)
John 14:27 Amplified version
Peggy, Tucson, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7, ESV
Heidi, Rochester Michigan,
“‘If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”
“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:23-24.
NIV
Kelly, Rockton: 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
Debbie Laureen,New Port Richey, FL: “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”Psalm103:8 (NIV)
Kay Haas, Va:I am the true vine. My Father is the gardener. John 15:1, NIV
Katie, Norfolk- “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 TNIV
Lisa
West Chester, Ohio
Phillipians 1:6 NIV
“he who began a good work in you WILL carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ”
{emphasis mine)