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!
Andrea
Houston, TX
Hebrews 10:35-36, NIV
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Jen, Highlands Ranch, CO: Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
xxoo!!
Debra from Coppell, TX
“Behold, I am making all things new! Revelation 21:5 NAS
Present progressive–ongoing action!
linda, colorado springs: he must become greater; i must become less. john 3:30 (niv)
Ellen, Atlanta: You crown the year with your goodness, Your ways overflow with plenty. Psalm 65:11 (HCSB) – 1st time ever!
Megan, Maple Valley,WA: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17 KJV
Brooke from Simpsonville, SC
(His personal challenge for me this year)
“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” James 1:19, NLT
Carrie, Hindman
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.
Hebrews 12:2 NIV
Brenda, Greenville, But you are a shield around me O lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. Ps. 3:3, NIV
Karen, Rochester, MN
“We are God’s masterpieces. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” NLT
Heather, Warner Robins, GA: “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
(My husband wants to do this too; I thought I would post his verses as well.)
Ed, Warner Robins, GA: “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.” Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Ashley, Huddleston, VA: “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)
Jenn, Stockton, CA: “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NIV
Sarah, Christina & Esther May, Wenatchee, WA: 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” I Corinthians 2:9 NIV
Patti, Michigan
“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest;even the hard pathways overflow with abundance”
Psalm 65:11 (NLT)
Valerie from Pflugerville, TX
“This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad today!” Psalm 118:24 NCV
Valerie Farmington, MN
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2, NIV
Cari, Huntington, WV: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Kandi, Little Rock
“He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.”
Isaiah 33:6 NIV
Nichole
Marion, Iowa
Micah 7:7 NIV
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my savior; my God will hear me.
Sherrie, Aurora CO: The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:17 NIV
Cindy
Union Grove, WI
Isaiah 25:1 NIV
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.
“…Here comes Adonai Elohim with power, and His arm will rule for Him. Look! His reward is with Him…He is like a Shepherd feeding His flock, gathering His lambs with His arms, carrying them against His chest, gently leading the mother sheep.” Isaiah 40:10-11
Heather~CA
Hannah, Gainesville: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels 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 our God that is Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NIV Bible
Rebecca, Elk Grove, Ca “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Eph.5:15-17, NIV
Christy, Justin, TX – Proverbs 3:25-26 NIV – “Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.”
Celia, Athens, “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, to give His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” Luke 1: 76-79 NIV
Anita, Cabot
…”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
Nancy, Moberly, MO. But now, this is what the LORD says–
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel.
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you,
I have summoned you by name, YOU ARE MINE.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you,
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire
you will not be burned,
the flames will not set you ablaze.
Isaiah 43:1-2 (NIV)
Hosea 2:16 “At that time” – this is God’s message still “you’ll address Me, ‘Dear Husband’. Never again will you address Me “My Slave Master.” The Message
Chris M, Seattle, WA
Isaiah 2:2 NIV
In the last days the mountain of the Lords’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.
Joni, Princeton WV “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
Mary Ann, Woodbury, MN: “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4-5, NASB
Adrienne, Clarksville
I will listen (with expectancy) to what God the Lord will say, for He will speak peace to His people, to His saints (those who are in right standing with Him) – but let them not turn again to (self-confident) folly. Psalm 85:8 (Amp)
Amy, Tupelo, MS ‘Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life?’
2 Peter 3: 11 MSG
Carla, Lafayette, Al – I will extol the Lord at all times, his praise will always be on my lips. Psalm 34:1 NIV
Winston-Salem, NC: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you…” Ez 36:26 NIV
Georgia, Greenville, NC:Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12, NIV Bible
Dianne
Hartselle, AL
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
Psalm 40:3 (NIV)
Theresa
Pace, Florida
Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinner and purify your hearts, you double minded.
James 4:8 (NIV)
Kerry, Houston “I have told you these things, so that in ME you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV
Charissa; West Chester, OH; This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 NLT
Michele
North Oaks MN
The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Ps 147:11
Bonnie, Seattle, WA: Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. Psalm 103:2 NLT
Rebecca, Jacksonville, Alabama: “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother have refreshed the hearts of the saints.” NIV
Carroll, Waco, TX: “You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.” Psalm 51:6 NRSV
Tammy, Rowlett, TX
Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.
Proverbs 30:5 New Living Translation
Mitzi
Kannapolis
Philippians 3:13b-14
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Kristi Morgan, Carthage TX “Happy are people of integrity who follow the law of the Lord. Happy are those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and walk only in his paths.” Psalm 119:1-3 (NLT)
Mary, Longview, “Do not let this book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything writtenin it. Then you will be prosperous and succesful” Joshua 1:8, NIV
Gypsie from Chattanooga TN “The Lord is the One Who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deut 31:8 NASV