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. 151
    sarah withers, smyrna , ga says:

    ..for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Epesians 6:20 NIV

  2. 152
    Connie, Friona Tx. says:

    O God, You cause abundant showers to fall on Your chosen people. When they are tired, You sustain them, for You live among them.
    Psalm 68:9-10a the Net Bible

  3. 153
    Berni says:

    Berni, Albuquerque
    “A truly wise person uses few words; a person
    with understanding is even-tempered.” Proverbs 17:27NLT

  4. 154
    Kay says:

    in Muscle Shoals, AL

    Praying for your family, Beth.

    Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24 NIV

  5. 155
    Lisa Ray says:

    Lisa, Simsboro, LA
    “They speak of you with evil intent, your adversaries misuse your name.” Psalms 139:20 NIV

  6. 156
    Michelle C says:

    Michelle C, Chesapeake, VA

    He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

    Psalm 40:2 (NIV)

  7. 157
    Ginny from Henderson says:

    “The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NET

  8. 158
    Donna says:

    Donna from Bartlett, TN

    Philippians 2:3 (NLT)

    Donā€™t be selfish; donā€™t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

  9. 159
    Marjorie-Helen says:

    Temple, TX

    Philippians 2: 1 & 2 (NIV)

    “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”

  10. 160
    Delores O. says:

    Delores O.
    Lake Stevens, WA

    Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act.

    Psalm 37:5 NLT

    (Praying for you Beth and your family.)

  11. 161
    Pamela McDonald says:

    Pam Hendersonville, NC
    “From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2 KJV

  12. 162
    Charmaine, San Angelo says:

    Part 1 of 2:

    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,

    Ephesians 3:20, NIV

  13. 163
    Ruth Hency says:

    Ruth Hency from Oran, MO. “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” 1 Corinthians 13:11 NIV

  14. 164
    Carol says:

    Carol, Mason City, Iowa
    Psalm 62:5
    Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. NIV

  15. 165
    Leslie says:

    Leslie
    Wisner, La.

    Arise, for it is your duty, and we are with you. Be strong and brave and do it.

    Ezra 10:4 (Amplified)

  16. 166
    Laura Deibel says:

    Laura ~ Plainfield,IN

    In those days when you pray, I will listen.

    Jeremiah 29:12 NLT

  17. 167
    Kay Greivenkamp says:

    Kay Tucson, Galations 5:22-23 NIV “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

  18. 168
    Denise Wilkin says:

    Denise
    The Woodlands, Texas

    2 Corinthians 9:10 (NIV) 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

  19. 169
    Cassia Glass says:

    Cassia from Spring, TX:
    Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned, Romans 5:12 NKJV

  20. 170
    marta says:

    Marta, Anchorage
    Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
    Matthew 11:29-30 (NIV)

  21. 171
    Cherilyn Moore says:

    Cherilyn, Colfax NC
    “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.” Psalm 94:19 NASB

  22. 172
    Kelly says:

    Kelly, Charlotte, NC

    so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

    1 Corinthians 2:5 ESV

  23. 173
    Deanne Johnson says:

    Deanne, Laguna Hills, CA

    My soul finds rest in God alone;
    my salvation comes from Him.
    He alone is my rock and my salvation;
    He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
    Psalm 62:1-2 NIV

  24. 174
    Jane says:

    Jane, Milton, GA For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 NIV

  25. 175
    Lori says:

    Lori, Oil City “Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)

  26. 176
    Alyse Tucker says:

    Alyse Woodstock, GA

    I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
    Psalm 4:8 NIV

  27. 177
    Jeanine Boyle says:

    Jeanine,Toronto,Canada

    “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us – they help us learn to endure.” Romans 5:3 NLT

  28. 178
    Cindy Amelung says:

    Cindy,St. Louis, MO – “We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”
    2 Corinthians 10:5 NLT

  29. 179
    Sara says:

    Sara, Sioux City
    But there is forgiveness with You,
    That You may be feared.
    Psalm 130:4 NKJV

  30. 180
    Karen says:

    Karen, Clarksville, “For I am the LORD, your God, Who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 NIV

  31. 181
    Amy Richardson says:

    Amy, Seattle, “You’re my servant, serving on my side. I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you. Don’t panic. I’m with you.” Isaiah 41:9, The Message Bible

  32. 182
    Frances McCamey says:

    Frances, Orange, TX
    …they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:23 ESV

  33. 183
    Selena says:

    Selena – Cordele, GA

    Therefore the Lord is waiting to show you mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion, for the Lord is a just God. All who wait patiently for Him are happy.

    Isaiah 30:18

  34. 184
    Emilie says:

    Emilie Eaton,IN
    Philippians 1:6 NIV
    Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

  35. 185
    Ali Contois says:

    Ali C., Pleasanton, CA- And, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. Hebrews 5:9 (NIV)

  36. 186
    Lisa Younce says:

    Lisa, Garland, TX. ā€œYouā€™re blessed when youā€™re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. (Matthew 5:3 MSG)

  37. 187
    Fareen Doss says:

    Fareen Las Vegas, NV
    James 5:9-10 NASB

    Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

  38. 188
    Amanda Porter says:

    Amanda Porter.
    Lubbock, Texas.
    because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4 NIV)

  39. 189
    Mikala Burleigh says:

    Mikala, Boston,MA

    For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6.12 (KJV)

  40. 190
    Teresa says:

    Teresa, Walla Walla “Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.”
    Ephesians 3:20 NLT

  41. 191
    Leslie says:

    Leslie, Central Asia

    “Your righteousness, O Go, reaches the high heavens. You have done great things, O God, who is like you?”

    Ps. 71:19, ESV

  42. 192
    Beth Lewis says:

    Beth, Story City, IA
    “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”
    John 16:13, NKJ

  43. 193
    Jane Alexander says:

    Jane from Geneseo, Illinois
    Luke 9:23
    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.
    (NIV)

  44. 194
    Sherry/Thomasville says:

    Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Cast up a highway for Him who rides through the deserts. Psalm 68:4

  45. 195
    Sharon Quevreaux says:

    For no matter how many promises God has made,
    they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him
    the “Amen” is spoken to us by the glory of God.
    2 Corinthians 1:20. NIV
    Sharon, Mineola, Texas October 15, 2013

  46. 196
    Siesta Susan says:

    Susan,Fairhope,AL – Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV)

  47. 197
    Katie says:

    Katie, Amarillo. “If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.” 1 John 3:20 NIV

  48. 198
    Vicki Davis says:

    “For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.” Luke 19:10 (ESV)

  49. 199
    Phyllis says:

    Psalm 69:30 ESV
    I will praise the name of God with a song;
    I will magnify him with thanksgiving.

    Belated Happy Thanksgiving to all the other Canadain Siesta’s on the blog.
    Praying for the Moore family.
    sincerely Phyllis.

  50. 200
    Phyllis says:

    Sorry!! Phyllis, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.

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