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!
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Gloria, Jacksonville, FL
Direct my footsteps according to your word;
let no sin rule over me.
Ps 119:33 NIV
Elaine in New Orleans, LA
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.
Erin, Sulphur Springs, Texas
Promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome by this he is enslaved. 2 Peter 2:19 NASB
Katie ¤ Augusta, Ga ¤ “For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach.” Deut 30:11, NASB
Rebecca, Fort Worth, “Do not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NRSV
Rissa, Boaz: Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23 NIV
Sarah – Hot Springs, AR: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3 KJV
Tennessee Psalm 119:114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. ESV
Leigh (Birmingham)
“Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies”. Psalm 36:5 NIV
Piper, Centennial, CO
Behold, this is the joy of His way;And out of the dust others will spring. Job 8:19 NASB
Fearless J. Chester:
But now, this is what the LORD says, he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel; “Do not fear, 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. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; Isaiah 43:1-3.
Elizabeth
Charlotte, NC
“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
Sarah, Colorado Springs
The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me
because God anointed me.
He sent me to preach good news to the poor,
heal the heartbroken,
Announce freedom to all captives,
pardon all prisoners.
God sent me to announce the year of his grace–
a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies–
and to comfort all who morn,
To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion,
give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,
Messages of joy instead of news of doom,
a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.
Rename them “Oaks of Righteousness”
planted by God to display his glory.
They’ll rebuild the old ruins,
raise a new city our of the wreckage.
They’ll start over on the ruined cities,
take the rubble left behind and make it new.
Isaiah 61:1-4 (The Message)
From Lowell, MA
Ecclesiastes 7:21 Also do not take to heart everything people say, Lest you hear your servant cursing you.
Darcy, Northern Virginia: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NIV
Mary. Thousand Oaks, CA
“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 in the desert and rivers in the badlands.” Isaiah 43:18-19 The Message
Mollie, Tokyo; Praise the LORD. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness. Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet; praise Him with the harp and the lyre; praise Him with tambourine and dancing, praise Him with the strings and the flute; praise Him with the clash of cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. Psalm 150 NIV
Mary Lou, Young America, Minnesota
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. James 1:19-21 NIV
Tracy, Porter, TX Hear my prayer, O Lord listen to my cry for mercy. Ps 86:6 NIV
Anna, Austin: Do not worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Phil 4:5. NLT
Alyson, Washington, DC
Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. Romans 6:13 NIV
Christie, Westport, CT
For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone.
Psalm 91:11-12,NASB
Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” 1 Chronicles 17:16
Heather, Chelmsford, Ontario:
For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so I will look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. Ezekiel 34:11&12 NIV
Hannah, Ruston: “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
ESV
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
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12 NIV
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Phil. 3:13-14 NKJV
Wendy, Powder Springs, You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance. Psalm 65:11 NKJ
Ephesians 1:11-NIV
“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,”
Dharma-Pasadena,MD
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Jennifer, Massachusetts:”FORGET ABOUT WHATS 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 DESSERT,RIVRS IN THE BADLANDS.ISAIAH 43;18-19 THE MESSAGE
Lisa Rainbow City Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV
Barbara, Vicksburg MS May the God of hope fill you with 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
Beth, Oklahoma City
The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deut. 31:8 NIV
Shona, Ohio:
Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you and you shall glorify me. Psalm 50:15
NIV
Brenda, Bainbridge, Rom.12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
NIV
Allison Chattanooga, TN
LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. Psalm 16:5-6
Katie, Stephens City, VA: “The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 NIV
Deanna, Tavernier:
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Jennifer
Colorado springs
I say to myself,”The Lord is my portion;
Therfore I will wait for Him.”
Lamentations 3:24
N I V
Deena from Amarillo, TX:
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 (NLT)
Johnnie, Corpus Christi – “Listen to Me, house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been sustained from the womb, carried along since birth. I will be the same until [your] old age, and I will bear [you] up when you turn gray. I have made [you] and I will carry [you]; I will bear and save [you].” Isaiah 46:3-4 HCS
Ashley, Kernersville, NC
Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. Isa 41:10 The Message
Julie, Prescott, AZ
“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
Sharon
South Charleston, OH
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV
Bonnie – Pollock, SD: O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Psalms 8:9
KJV
Laura, Smyrna, TN
Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Psalm 31: 3 NIV