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!
Sue, Slate Hill, NY – 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
Ryan, Houston: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV version
Praying for God to help me with discipline and follow thru. I have never tried something like this.
Jamie, Fort Worth, TX: “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded”. James 4:8 NIV
jenny, white hall, ar:
“You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.”
isaiah 26:3 the amplified bible
Lisa
North Alabama
“So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness.” 1 Peter 1:13-16 The Message
Robyn – Richfield, OH: “How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word. I’m single-minded in pursuit of you; don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted. Psalm 119: 9-10, The Message
Remember not the former things, nor consider the things 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
Michelle- Spokane, WA : for the kingdom of GOD is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to GOD and approved by men. Romans 14:17-18 NAS
Ruth, Coeur d Alene ID
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
Julie Kate, Amory, MS
“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
Aubrey, Amarillo, TX 11years old
Hebrews 12:14 NIV
Make every effort to be at peace with men and to be holy. Without holiness, no one will see the Lord.
Debbie from Jacksonville, FL
“But from eternity to eternity the Lord’s faithful love is toward those who fear Him, and His righteousness toward the grandchildren of those who keep His covenant, who remember to observe His precepts”
(HCSB)
Psalm 103: 17,18
Amy, Gainesville, GA-Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NKJV
DeAnne, Talmage, KS “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. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29: 11-13 NIV
MichelleS from Abilene,Kansas “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” Ephesians 2:14
Joanne, Dallas,TX “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8,9 NASB
Elizabeth, Portland, Oregon:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Sue, Magalia, CA
For my kids:
1Peter 3: 1b – 2 NLT
Then even if some refuse to obey the good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent life.
Roberta, Fanshawe OK:Remember,O Lord your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Psalm 25:6 (NLT)
Because my word of the year is Remember
Mandy, Cottondale, AL: We fight with weapons that are different from those the world uses. Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy’s strong places. We destroy people’s arguments and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NCV
Donna, Satsuma, Alabama
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. You were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body. NIV 1 Corinthians 6:19
Julie, Boone: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give His life a reansom for many. Matthew 20:28 (KJV)
Debbie, Fisherville, Ky. “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7. NIV
Angie
Clarkston, Michigan
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
(~Hebrews 11:1 NIV)
Dannel, Holtwood PA
Isaiah 50:4,5 The Lord God gave me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning He awakens: He awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward. ESV
I can do all things through him who gives me strength. Phillipians 4:13 NIV
Ellen from Bad Axe
in Michigan’s Thumb
“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength (but you would have none of it).” Isaiah 30:15, NIV
Emily, Amarillo, TX 11 years old
You crown the year with Your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake. Psalm 65:11 (The NET Bible)
Bev, Ironton, OH
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Galations 5:1 (NKJ)
Kimberly, Circleville OH
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” Hebrews 11:8 (NIV)
Grace (10), Circleville OH
“God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24 (NIV)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” Declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
NIV
Ruston, LA
Dea, Searcy, Arkansas
And those who know your name will put their trust in you,
For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Ps. 9:10 (ESV)
Jennifer….Lilburn, Georgia
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Proverbs 18:10 NIV
Jill – Justin, TX; “You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance.” Psalm 65:11, NKJV
Jane, Milton,GA: 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. PS 25:4-5 NIV
Sharon, Trussville, AL:”“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.” – Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Holli, Smiths Station, AL:
You crown the year with Your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake. Psalm 65:11 NET
I had another verse in mind, but I felt like this one was good for the start of the year.
Sarah, Tyler, TX
James 1:2-3, “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.” NIV
Vicki from Eufaula, AL
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
NIV
Penny – Mansfield OH, “Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips.” Psalm 141:3 NLT
Kelly, Charlotte,NC:
But if you keep looking steadily into God’s perfect law-the law that sets you free-and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:25 (NLT)
WendyB, Heidelberg, Germany. “The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Isaiah 58:11 NIV
Hi Wendy – I found 10 of us memorizing this verse! Isn’t it amazing God can bring us together when we are so far apart? Here are the other names if you want to be praying for all of us.
Vanessa, Bremen, GA
Dedra, Madison, AL
Laura, Greenville, NC:
Terri, Kernersville NC:
Carol from Terrell, NC
Candace, Kentucky
Melissa, Kenai, Alaska
Helen Wall
Lainee, Flagstaff: For by the grace given to me I say to every one of you not to think more highly of yourself than you ought to think, but to think with sober discernment, as God has distributed to each of you a measure of faith. Rom. 12:3-NET
Susan, Barrie,ON, Canada: “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 The Message
Ann, Plymouth: He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. Prov 13:3 NIV
Julie from Abilene, KS
2 Corinthians 5:17 (New American Standard Bible)
17Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
Beth, La Verne, CA
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14, NASB
Romans 15:13
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. (NIV)
Shelly
Amarillo, TX
Suzi, Austin TX:
“loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. ” Deut 30:20 ESV
Stacie, O’Fallon, IL
Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV)
The LORD your God is in your midst, The Mighty One will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.
Sarah Cronkright-Morrison, Athens, Alabama –
“Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.” Ephesians 4:29 (Msg.)