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!
Janice Topeka Phillipians 4:13 KJV
Leanne,Georgetown: “Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.” Psalm 51:6
(ESV)
Lauren, New Braunfels: “In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.” Ps. 94:19 NKJ
Vicki, Burton, Michigan
Psalm 31:19 (NIV)
“How great is Your goodness which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in You.”
Rosa, Sulphur Springs, TX – Phillipians 4:4-7 NKJV “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I will say, Rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Sophie- Birmingham, AL: “Everything that we have – right thinking and clean living – comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That’s why we have the saying, ‘If you’re going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.'” – 1 Corinthians 1:30-31, The Message
Hannah from Albuquerque, New Mexico
I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you. Isaiah 44:22 ESV
Donna, Albuquerque: Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. Hebrews 12:28 NKJV
Shannon, Buda TX
For we are God’s workmanship,created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Eph 2:10 NIV
HALLELUIA
Psalm 120:1, ESV
In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me.
Lori
Knoxville, IA
Lacie, Americus – “When I called you, you answered me, you made me bold and stouthhearted”. Psalm 138:3 NIV
Shannon, Charlotte NC: Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever AMEN. (NASB)
Oops….Ephesians 3:20-21 NASB
Shane, Russellville: For you, brethren (sistahs), were indeed called to freedom, only do not let your freedom be an incentive to your flesh and and opportunity or excuse for selfishness, but through love you should serve one another. Gal. 5:13 MSG
Amy,Orlando:”EAGERLY PURSUE and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest];” 1 Corinthians 14:1a (The Amplified Bible)
Leigh
Houston
Isaiah 33:2, The Message:
“God, treat us kindly; You’re our only hope. First thing in the morning, be there for us! When things go bad, help us out.”
And from the NIV:
“Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.”
I am memorizing both versions in order to be able to better pray them for my daughter and a sweet friend who are both walking through dark valleys right now.
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
Kenzie-From Cincinnati, Ohio. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12, NIV
Cindy Beth, Massanutten, VA: “They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” Rev 17:14 ESV
Roxanne, Greenwood, LA: And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” -1 Timothy 1:12-14, Authorized King James Version
Colleen,Clarks Green: 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.
I desperately need this HOPE!!!
NIV Psalms 61:4
I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
“I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything impossible for me?” Jeremiah 32:27 NEB
Janet, St. Louis, “Buy truth and do not sell it. Get wisdom and teaching and understanding.” Prov. 23:23 (NLV)
Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.
Proverbs 14:13 NIV
perfect and much needed for this year:
mariel, NC
“You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.”
Ps.65:11 NIV
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NASB
Amber, Conroe: “I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself o the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what i will answer concerning my complaint.
Habakkuk 2:1 ESV
Anne from Hot Springs, AR:
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” 1 Corinthians 13:1 NIV
Kelly, Atlanta –
“All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16, NIV
I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of {your name}, your king. Isaiah 43:15 NRSV
Emily, Westerville: This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. I Corinthians 4:1, ESV
Do not be anxious about anything, 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
Allison Mullins, San Antonio
Isaiah 43: 18, 19a NIV
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!
Jackie
Platte City, MO
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the Light of Your Presence, O Lord. Psm:89:15 NIV
Lisa, Matthews, NC: ‘Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Katie, North Little Rock: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here! 2 Cor. 5: 17
NIV – oops!
Vanessa, Victoria, Texas They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Isaiah 61:4 NIV
Michele, Grapevine TX: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” Gen. 1:1-2 NIV
Patty, Talbott, Tn.
“But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, and of your salvation all day long.” Psalm 71:14-15 NIV
Jennifer, Niceville,FL Phil 4:19 “And my God will meet all my needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
A need: Allows God to show his heart, helps others, or builds the kingdom!
“For since the beginning of the world, men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside Thee, what He hath prepared for them that waiteth for Him.” Isaiah 64:4, KJV
Amie, Rochester: “He who spares his rod (of discipline) hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines diligently and punishes him early.” Proverbs 13:24 Amplified Bible
Linda Olathe, KS Prov. 4:25-26 Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.
Ann from Abilene, Texas
“We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and there is only one God and Father who is over us all and in us all and living through us all.” Eph. 4:4-6
Kuria, Malaysia: “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.” Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. Isaiah 32:17
Lisa, West Des Moines, IA: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
Karen, Baldwin City, KS.
But to us, O lord, be merciful, for we have waited for you Be our strength each day and our salvation in the time of trouble. Isa. 33:2 The Living Bible
Romans 14:20a NIV
Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.
Erica, Huntington, IN: Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV