2013 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 20!

My Dear Sisters, just as I was writing this post to you, a family urgency arose and I’m not going to be able to finish it. I’ve erased it and, in its place, put the segment of Scripture that I shared today in staff time before I got news of a serious family need. By faith, I choose to believe that this was what our gracious God wanted you to have today. It is a beautiful segment from Isaiah 41 that spoke very richly to us in staff and I pray will minister to you. (Vv.8-16) In it God is addressing Israel but, as you will see, many of the truths He speaks over them in this chapter concerning His heart toward them and His promise to help are echoed in the New Testament to believers under Christ’s new covenant.Ā  If you have a more formal translation like the ESV, consider reading it first then below you’ll find the portion in Eugene Peterson’s translation, The Message. Its vivid language jumped out at me and really tended to my soul. My staff and I printed it out and circled parts of it that the Holy Spirit brought to life in our own hearts and minds and amid our own circumstances. We also wrote notes in the margins and reminders of other coinciding verses and then, in our closing prayer, we let the passages guide our intercessions. You might consider doing the same thing. The two simple words “don’t panic” leapt off the page at me. So did this: “I, God, want to reassure you.” Thank You, thank You, Lord.

Here it is and you’ll find my SSMT entry at the end of the post.

Isaiah 41:8-16 The Message
8ā€“10Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  ā€œBut you, Israel, are my servant.
Youā€™re Jacob, my first choice,
descendants of my good friend Abraham.
I pulled you in from all over the world,
called you in from every dark corner of the earth,
Telling you, ā€˜Youā€™re my servant, serving on my side.
Iā€™ve picked you. I havenā€™t dropped you.ā€™
Donā€™t panic. Iā€™m with you.
Thereā€™s no need to fear for Iā€™m your God.
Iā€™ll give you strength. Iā€™ll help you.
Iā€™ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

11ā€“13Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  ā€œCount on it: Everyone who had it in for you
will end up out in the coldā€”
real losers.
Those who worked against you
will end up empty-handedā€”
nothing to show for their lives.
When you go out looking for your old adversaries
you wonā€™t find themā€”
Not a trace of your old enemies,
not even a memory.
Thatā€™s right. Because I, your GOD,
have a firm grip on you and Iā€™m not letting go.
Iā€™m telling you, ā€˜Donā€™t panic.
Iā€™m right here to help you.ā€™

14ā€“16Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  ā€œDo you feel like a lowly worm, Jacob?
Donā€™t be afraid.
Feel like a fragile insect, Israel?
Iā€™ll help you.
I, GOD, want to reassure you.
The God who buys you back, The Holy of Israel.
Iā€™m transforming you from worm to harrow,
from insect to iron.
As a sharp-toothed harrow youā€™ll smooth out the mountains,
turn those tough old hills into loamy soil.
Youā€™ll open the rough ground to the weather,
to the blasts of sun and wind and rain.
But youā€™ll be confident and exuberant,
expansive in The Holy of Israel!

Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: the Bible in contemporary language (Is 41:8ā€“16). Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.

 

For my SSMT selection, this is the portion I have next in my memory work out of the Book of Colossians:

Beth, Houston. For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ. Colossians 2:1-2

I love you guys so much. Let’s press on with eyes of faith, Sisters. He who calls us is faithful!

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1,883 Responses to “2013 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 20!”

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Comments:

  1. 1351
    Linda Eddy, Thompsons Station, TN says:

    “The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works.” Psalm 145:9 NASB

  2. 1352
    Cindy says:

    Cindy, Beaumont, TX: 13 ā€œEnter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV

  3. 1353
    Missy S says:

    Missy S, Chapel Hill, NC

    “ā€˜He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more deathā€™ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!ā€ Then he said, ā€œWrite this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ā€

    Revelation 21:4-5 (NIV)

  4. 1354
    Shantha Diaz says:

    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) Shantha, Lincoln, RI

  5. 1355

    Erin in Euless, TX

    Lamentations 3:29 (MSG)
    “Bow in prayer. Donā€™t ask questions: Wait for hope to appear.”

  6. 1356
    Avis Buford says:

    Avis, Lone Star, Texas, last portion of Psalm 8
    ā€œYou make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, whatever passes through the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!ā€ Psalm 8:6-9 NASB

  7. 1357
    ramona says:

    Ramona, Pasadena: 1 John 1:8 NLT
    If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth.

  8. 1358
    Martha Pyle says:

    Martha from Corpus Christi, Texas

    For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing the soul anad spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attiitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 NIV

  9. 1359
    Desiree Hamilton says:

    Desiree in Carlsbad

    “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
    Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
    not looking to your own interests
    but each of you to the interests of the others.”
    (Philippians 2:3, 4 NIV)

  10. 1360
    Mandy says:

    Mandy, Watkinsville, GA
    John 11:4- HCSB- “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

  11. 1361
    Cheri B, Fresno, CA says:

    From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. (John 1:16)

  12. 1362
    Mindy Thompson says:

    Mindy from Austin, TX, “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22, NIV.

  13. 1363
    Rachel says:

    Rachel, Surprise, AZ:
    “Praise the Lord, O my soul! With all that is within me, praise His holy name! Praise the Lord, O my soul! Do not forget all his kind deeds! He is the one who forgives all your sins, who heals all your diseases.” ~Psalm 103:1-3 (NET)

  14. 1364
    Hannah says:

    Hannah
    Lake Charles, LA

    Donā€™t lie to one another. Youā€™re done with that old life. Itā€™s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes youā€™ve stripped off and put in the fire. Now youā€™re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.
    Colossians 3:9-11 MSG

  15. 1365
    Gina says:

    Gina, Waynesville, NC

    You go before me and follow me.You place your hand of blessing on my head.

    Psalm 139:5 (NLT)

  16. 1366
    Blanche says:

    Blanche, Pearland, TX

    “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

    John 14:27

  17. 1367
    Kim says:

    Kim, Pearland, TX

    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.

    II Corinthians 10:5 NIV

  18. 1368
    Shelly Shelnutt, Ooltewah, TN says:

    Ephesians 3:20 God’s Word
    Glory belongs to God, whose power is at work in us. By this power he can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine

  19. 1369
    Amy says:

    Amy Hawk, Hood River, OR, “If anyone wants to serve me, (s)he must follow me, and where I am, my servant will be too. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor (her).” John 12:27, The NET Bible

  20. 1370
    Carla Bachand says:

    Carla, Pierre, SD
    Oh, Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set your glory above the heavens. Psalm 8:1

  21. 1371
    Sacha says:

    Sacha
    Midland, TX
    Deuteronomy 8:14 (HCSB)
    “[Be careful] that your heart doesn’t become proud and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.”

  22. 1372
    Carolyn says:

    Carolyn, Austin, TX:

    Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Psalm 25:4 NIV

  23. 1373
    Cindy Wilburn, LC , OR says:

    Ps. 103:6-9 NAS

    The Lord performs righteous deed and judgements for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. He will not always strive with us; nor will He keep His anger forever.

  24. 1374
    Mindy says:

    Mindy, Indiana
    Hebrews 10:22-25 So letā€™s do itā€”full of belief, confident that weā€™re presentable inside and out. Letā€™s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Letā€™s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. (Message)

  25. 1375
    Jean says:

    Jean – Franklinton, NC

    Be still and know that I am God.

    Ps 46:10 NLT

  26. 1376
    Rachael Clark says:

    Rachael Clark, jersey shore pa
    ā€œYour attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not demand or cling to His rights as God. He made Himself nothing; He took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form.ā€ Phil 2:5-7

  27. 1377
    Amanda Cross says:

    Amanda, Van Buren, AR
    But Moses said to the sons of Gad and to the sons of Reuben, “Shall your brothers go to war while you yourselves sit here?” -Numbers 32:6 NASB

  28. 1378
    Lori says:

    Lori, Friendswood, TX

    I love the LORD, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy.
    Psalm 116: 1 (NIV)

  29. 1379
    Janet Long says:

    God blesses those who are merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
    Matthew 5:7(NLT)

  30. 1380
    Karen says:

    Karen from Powell, Ohio

    Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.

    Psalm 16:1 (NIV)

  31. 1381
    Gina says:

    Gina from Ruston, LA

    You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruitā€”fruit that will lastā€”and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. (John 15:16 NIV)

  32. 1382
    Jennifer Williams says:

    Jennifer, Chattanooga. Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1 NIV

  33. 1383
    Kristin says:

    Kristin, Carlsbad, CA “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifice God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16 NIV

  34. 1384
    Kate Posthuma says:

    Kate Posthuma from Cheney, WA
    Being a pastoral couple, this verse brings me much comfort, that as we “shepherd” the flock that is in our care, God nourishes and shepherds us.
    “Save your people. Bless those who belong to you; nourish and shepherd and carry them forever.”
    Psalm 28:9
    combination of the NIrV & Amp

  35. 1385
    Neta Archer OKC says:

    Ephesians 5:1-2 NASB

    Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

  36. 1386
    Carol says:

    Littlestown, PA -“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.”- Philippians 4:4-5 (ESV)

  37. 1387
    Tammy Wong says:

    Call to me and I will tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
    Jeremiah 33:3
    Tammy
    Cincinnati

  38. 1388
    MLisa, Mtn Home, AR says:

    Thel light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5

  39. 1389
    Becca says:

    Becca, Camp Pendleton, CA
    “When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.” Ā ~ Acts 11:23 NIV

  40. 1390
    Sarah K says:

    Sarah, Lincoln, NE

    James 1:23 (NIV)
    “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror “

  41. 1391
    Betty Stephens says:

    Betty, Austin, Texas, Psalm 25:20 NIV

    Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for i take refuge in you.

  42. 1392
    Rachel says:

    Rachel – Nashville, TN

    I lift up my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come from? My help
    comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” – Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)

  43. 1393
    Allison Crook says:

    Allison Crook
    Albuquerque, NM

    “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”
    Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)

  44. 1394
    DeeDee Martin says:

    DeeDee. Katy,Tx

    Jesus wept.

    John 11:35
    NIV

  45. 1395

    Brittnie, Sugar Land, Texas

    Isaiah 26:7 (NIV) “The path of the righteous is level; O upright one, you make the way of the righteous smooth.”

  46. 1396
    Heidi says:

    Heidi~Lindale, Tx
    James 1:5 NIV
    If any of you lacks wisdom,you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

  47. 1397
    Valerie Chamberlain says:

    Valerie, Little Elm, TX

    “Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.” Isaiah 61:7 NLT

  48. 1398
    Karessa says:

    Karessa, Peoria, IL: O LORD, you are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt yourself as the ruler of all. 1 Chronicles 29:11 NET

  49. 1399
    Susan says:

    Susan- Berryville,VA~
    Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthyā€”meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8 NKJV)

  50. 1400
    Natalie Johnson says:

    Natalie; Richmond Hill, GA; ā€œFor my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,ā€ declares the Lord. ā€œAs the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8, 9 NIV)

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