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!
Tiffani, Fort Worth: Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Matthew 6:34 The Message
Genie, Jackson, Georgia-
Psalm 51:10-Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Laura, Bossier City: For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:5 NIV
Kelly, Appleton, WI
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.
Romans 12:2-3 NIV
Jennifer, (Stafford, Va)
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
Proverbs 31;28 (NIV)
Janice, Nova Scotia, Canada
May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NLT
Susan
Houston
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Patricia from Midland, TX
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 KJV
Ashley, Sachse
“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up or quit.”.
Galatians 6:9 (The Message)
Nancilea, The Woodlands, TX
“Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7, ESV
Stephanie, Tulsa: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8 NIV
Pickering, Ontario, Canada
“…and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:3
Cheryl, Austin
Psalm 65:11
You crown the year with Your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake. The NET Bible
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” Proverbs 31:25
Cheryl, Austin: “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” Joshua 1:8 (NLT)
Breanne from Cypress, Tx:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to hi purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV
Katie, Loveland. “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses all knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-10 (NIV)
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Alyssa
Athens, Alabama
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
Colossians 3:23 NIV
Shelle, Lusk, WY
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Phil 2:3 NLT
1 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.
Rosebudprn
Atlanta, Texas
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.
Psalm 32:8
“Don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” James 1:16-17, NLT
Whitney, Louisville: No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. -Romans 4:20-21 ESV
Oops! I meant to only write Jeremiah 17:5, but over time I want to memorize the verses that follow. Maybe that is why I wrote “5-8”
Roxanne, Lincoln: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB
Nicole, Portland OR: “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)
Betty, Washington. Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. Hab 3:17-19 NIV
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9
Jennifer Baker
Highland Village,TX
Cherie, Ft. Wayne, IN:
“Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and it seven seals.” Revelation 5:5 NIV
Loyce, Houston: “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 43:19-20, NIV
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. Matthew 11:28 NIV
Elizabeth, Houston: Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Phil. 4:9 NIV.
Dorinda, O’Fallon: For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Romans 8:29 NIV 2010
“I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day” II Timothy 1:12 NIV
Natalie, Columbia,SC
Laura (Goshen, IN)
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:25-26 (NIV)
Lisa, Van Buren, AR
“however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.” 1 Timothy 5:6 HCSB
karen – livonia, mi
the Lord will work out His plans for my life-for your faithful love, o Lord, endures forever. don’t abandon me, for you made me.
psalm 138:8
NLT
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing”
1 Thessaloians 5:11
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Isaiah 12:2 – “Behold, God is my Salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.” (NAS)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
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.
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all that you do, for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy. 1Peter 1:15-16 NIV
Laurie from Eureka Missouri
Kierstan
Portland, Oregon
NIV | Eph 3:16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Vicki, Cynthiana, KY. Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2 (NIV)
“She will have no fear of bad news; her heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Her heart is secure, she will have no fear; in the end she will look in triumph on her foes.”
Psalm 12: 7-8
Gayle, Dodgeville, Wi
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
Paulette
Nogalus Prairie
“The name of the Lord is like a strong tower; the righteous person runs to it and is set safely on high.” Proverbs 18:10, The NET Bible
Patti, The Woodlands, TX
But (her) delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law (she) meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:2 NIV
Betty, Ft. Worth, TX
“I, your God will get rid of them for you. You’ve carried those burdens long enough.” Zephaniah 3:19 MSG