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!
Lin, Troy: Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 NIV
But I will restore you to health
and heal your wounds,
declares the Lord,
Jeremiah 30: 17a (NIV)
Beth, Birmingham, AL
Jeremiah 17:7-8, NIV
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that send out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, (NASB)
Audrey from Ridgeway, Ohio
“Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because He is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And His called and chosen and faithful ones will be with Him.” Revelatioin 17:14 NLT
Jenn, New York
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. – 1 John 4:18 (NIV)
Cindy, Rockford, IL
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Heb. 10:23 NASB
Deirdre
Atlanta, GA
Deuteronomy 2:7
“The LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These FOURTY YEARS the LORD your God has been with you and you have not lacked anything.”
especially apropos since I am 40-ish now…..
Starla, Miami- “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;” ~Phillipians 4:6. NKJV
Leslie, Hildebran NC
Psalms 23:1 KJV
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Romans 8:28 And we knos that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. NIV
Sara Torbett, Springdale, AR
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV) 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Lord God of Host, who is strong like you? Your faithfulness surrounds you. You rule the raging seas; when the sea waves surge, you still them. Psalms 89:8-9
Columbus, OH
“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Matthew 6:27-28, NIV
OOPS!!! I meant LUKE 6:27-28, NIV
Cheryl,Sandpoint, “You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.” NIV
Jenn, Frederick, MD
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 ESV
Hi I am Gloria
Isaiah 43:18. (NIV)
Forget the former things. Do not dwell on the past.
MarySue from FL!
“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
Jennifer, Knoxville, TN: Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Jennifer, Fort Worth, TX
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Gay, Plain City, OH
That is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
Romans 1:12 (NIV)
Connie, Chicago
2 Corinthians 4:7 The Message
We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us.
Connie, Spring,TX
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
I Corinthians 13:14-8a NIV
Kathleen, Brandon, MS: “O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your dwelling places.” Psalm 43:3 NASB
Vanessa, Ottawa, Ontario
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end – Lamentations 3:22 ESV
Jennifer, Lee’s Summit, MO
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
Janet, Pittsburgh: When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Proverbs 3:24 NIV
Marla, Columbus OH
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
Luke 4:18-19 (ESV)
Carrie
Poplar Bluff, MO
Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple. Ps. 65:4 NIV
Lara, Aubrey, TX: The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Beth
Cleveland, Ohio
Isaiah 30:15 (NASB)
For thus the LORD God, the Holy One of Israel has said,
“In repentance and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.” But you were not willing.
( I am! )
Thanks for this Beth!
Jenny Hope from Pelham Alabama (squeals)
Job 11:15-16 (New International Version 1984, ©1984)
15 then you will lift up your face without shame;
you will stand firm and without fear.
16 You will surely forget your trouble,
recalling it only as waters gone by.
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)
Jen, Westerville, OH
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
Amanda, Nashville, TN
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters,
He resotres my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, thogh I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
For you are with me;
your rod and Yoir staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over;
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever
Psam, 23 NKJV
Erin, Palm Bay, FL
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8
Morristown, TN
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 NIV
Lara, Denver, CO, “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5,6 NIV
Knightdale, NC
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
James 1:2-3
New American Standard Bible
Kathy,Lake Jackson, TX–
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land,and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:3-4 New King James Version
Deanna, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho:
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:1-2 ESV
Kels (Redding, CA)
“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things and revive me in Your way.” Psalm 119:38 (KJV)
Jean, Decatur AL,: ” You will not succeed by your own strength or by your own power, but by my spirit, says the Lord.” Zech 4:6 (New Century Version)
Katherine, Nipomo, CA
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ
Jesus who are at philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
Philippians 1:1 (ESV)
Stephanie Perdue
Brighton, TN
Mary, Spring
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?…”
Job 38:4-5, NIV
Katie, Columbia, SC – “We are His creation – created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 HCSB
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 KJV
Debbie, Tucson
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” 1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV
Pam, Crowley Lake. “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, for whom every family on heaven and earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith–that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19 ESV