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!
Jennifer, San Antonio
“Do not be anxious about anythng, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
NIV
“Praise the LORD! Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 106:1 NLT
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17
Shell
Greenville, SC
Debbie, Hilliard, FL: He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29 NIV
Debbie Youngstown, OH
Philippieans 4:8 (NIV)
Finally, brothers, 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.
Rachel, Fallston, MD
2 Timothy 1:9 NLT
“For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time – to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.”
Adelina, Houston, TX:
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” – Proverbs 31:25, NIV
Ann, Ostrander, OH ~ Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:3 (KJV)
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. For he chose us before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.Ephesians 1:3-4
Jennifer, Danville, VA
“No, O people, the LORD has already told you what is good, and this is what He requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8, NLT
Erin
Chippewa Falls
“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
Flower Mound, TX
Philippians 4:8 The Message
Summing it all up my friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious – the best, not the worst, the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.
Jennifer, Temple Terrace, FL “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.” -John 7:37 (NIV)
Michelle, Fallston, MD
Psalm 91:1 NKJ
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”
Mendy, Tanna,Vanuatu. “No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” I Cor. 9:27, NIV
Megan, Charlotte, NC “You crown the year with Your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake.” The NET Bible
Sharon, Bulls Gap, TN. –
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
Barbara, Avon Park: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV
Romans 15:13 NIV
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.
Tami, LA
Kristen, Wichita, KS. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7, NASB
Sheila, Gardendale, AL
I Corinthians 2:13 NIV
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.
Pat – Cedartown, GA
I lift my eyes up to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1 & 2 NIV
Jess, Baconton, GA
You have searched me, LORD,
and you know me
Psalm 139:1 NIV
Rebecca Mt. Holly
Daniel 3:16-18 NIV 2010
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
No way, Beth … that’s mine, too! I like your version better than mine so I’ll choose yours.
Wendy from Conway, Arkansas
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
Esther, Greenville, SC
But examine everything carefully, hold fast to that which is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:21
Kristen, Russellville- “I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.” Psalm 61:4 NIV
(NCV)Bible
Gayla, Johns Creek, GA
“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Janet, Aurora, CO
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you” Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Shanna, West Bloomfield, MI: “You crown the year with your good blessings, and leave abundance in your wake.” Ps 65:11 (The NET Bible)
Karla
Leverett, MA
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:11 NIV
I am learning this in NIV but couldn’t resist posting it in the NLT also. SO GOOD
So you SHOULD CONSIDER yourselves dead to sin and ABLE TO LIVE for the glory of God through Christ Jesus.
Becky, St. Augustine
“The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high;
he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness.
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 33:5-6 New International Version
Jamee, Fort Wayne – “Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.” Psalm 73:25 NIV
Amy- Clovis, Ca
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good,will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
The Message
Rebecca
Julian, NC
“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
Psalm 34:1
ESV
Amy
Oklahoma
Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is only the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Penny, Hoover, AL Micah 6:8 (NIV) – He has showed you, O Penny (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.
Amy, North Carolina
…to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
-Ephesians 4:23-24 NIV
Luke 6:38 NIV
“Give, and it will be given to 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”
Melissa: Colorado Springs.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! NIV
Erin, Lolo, MT “Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16 NIV
Julie, Winterville, May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Debbie, Pinckney, MI Proverbs 19:11 NLT
People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.
Melissa from Midland
“David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back” 1 Samuel 30:18,19 NIV
Cynthia, Greenwood.
“You crown the year with your good blessings, and you leave abundance in your wake.” Ps. 65:11, NET
Iris, Sherwood, AR: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
Amy, Cherry Hill, NJ: [Be] confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6, NKJV
mitzi, Brandon,MS/ Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful & thankful. Pray that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:2-6 NIV/Msg
Lauren, Spartanburg: James 1:17 NET 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.