Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2015: Verse 20!

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Hey Siestas!!! I barely have words to express how much of an honor it is for me to share with y’all. I absolutely adore Mama Beth and the community that she has cultivated here on the interwebs!

My name is Karina Allen. I am 35 and from New Orleans, LA but have lived in Baton Rouge since 1998. Much of my time here is spent at the gym, babysitting or at my local church, Healing Place. I am involved in a myriad of ministries and outreaches. I am on the worship team, a leader for High School girls, active in our women’s ministry, nursery registration team volunteer, a part of young adult ministry, and a teacher for our kids’ dance ministry. I also help with our inner city outreaches and to bring awareness to human trafficking through Trafficking Hope Inc. I taught preschool for about 10 years but I knew that that wasn’t the call of God on my life. I am a freelance writer and editor. I’m a contributor for Incourage as well as a few other sites. I am working on my certification to be a Life Coach. I long to speak, hope, truth, life, encouragement and purpose into the souls of women. My dream is for each woman to fully walk out their identity in Christ in the specific calling that He has for each of their lives.

“…and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy 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 NIV

Really, the whole of Isaiah 61 is incredible! It is all about the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord and what His anointing empowers us to have and to be. I don’t know about you, but most days I don’t feel empowered. I feel a bit defeated by life, others and even myself. But that is not God’s will for my life or for yours. His desire is for His Spirit to come alive in us, to overflow and impact those around us.

Recently, I was at my friend Elizabeth’s house working on some writing projects. She has this gorgeous black and white photo hanging of an oak tree from New Orleans’ City Park. And verse 3 of Isaiah 61 was beautifully written underneath it. My gaze repeatedly returned to that photo and that verse much of the night. It’s as though the Lord was trying to get my attention. I knew that this needed to be a verse that I committed to memory and needed to become embedded within my very marrow.

1.) God wants to trade the pain we acquire from this world with His good and perfect gifts. Before sin entered the world, mourning and despair were never even a concern. The world has been bombarded with evil and suffering. People cause harm and bad things happen. But God wants us to know that even in the midst of tragedy, we can experience His peace, comfort and even joy.

2.) Through the trading process, God’s dream is for us to become oaks of righteousness. Now, this may not seem like something we would want to be described as, but it should be. Oak trees are remarkable! They are strong, tough and extremely resilient. They have roots that reach down deep into the earth. When we exchange our hurt with the Lord’s goodness, this is the outcome. We dig deep into His Word and discover His promises for us. We stand firm on that foundation and the storms of life are unable to shake us. We allow Him to be the lifter of our heads and fill us with His hope. We become confident that He will work all things together for good to those of us that love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

3.) As we grow to be oaks of righteousness, we turn into a display of the Lord’s splendor. On display for all to see…that is an intimidating thought. Don’t let it be. People watch us. They watch how we live and what we say if we profess Christ. They watch how we respond in both good and bad seasons. That’s okay. As we are conformed to the image of Christ, others take notice and eventually desire to know why our lives are different. That is often how the Father draws hearts to Himself.

My Sister…

Beauty, joy and praise await you.

Deep roots are calling out to you.

His splendor is ready to be displayed through you.

For His Name and His Renown,
Karina Allen

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1,905 Responses to “Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2015: Verse 20!”

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Comments:

  1. 851
    Betty Phillips says:

    Sing for joy to God our strength; Shout aloud to the God of Jacob!

    Ps 81:1. NIV

  2. 852
    Heather says:

    Heather – Fort Worth, TX

    “Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.” Psalm 73:23-24 ESV

  3. 853
    Delores Perley says:

    Delores Perley, El Cajon, CA

    Psalm 37:5-7a. (ESV)
    Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him

  4. 854
    Kathy Manthey from Gilbert, Arizona says:

    John 15:5 ESV
    “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

  5. 855
    Alissa Wise says:

    Alissa; Lexington, SC:

    Greetings from South Carolina! Thank you for praying for us as we recover from the devastating floods. I have seen the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

    “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. ” Psalm 27:13 (NIV)

  6. 856
    Polly Schneider says:

    Polly from Pa
    Psalms 138:3 NIV
    When I called, You answered me; You made me bold and stout hearted.

  7. 857
    Joelle Roibl says:

    Joelle, Abilene, TX
    Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
    ‭‭James‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

  8. 858
    Melissa AuClair says:

    “This means ones must not transgress against and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger of all these offenses as we also previously told and warned you.
    For God has not called us to impurity, but to sanctification.”
    1 Thessalonians 4:6-7, HCSB

  9. 859
    Mary Goins says:

    Mary Goins, Bluford, Illinois
    “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”
    ‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

  10. 860
    Marie Skipper says:

    Marie Skipper from Granger,Tx — James 4:7. NIV
    “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

  11. 861
    Robin says:

    Robin, Knoxville

    For he will command his angels concerning you
    To guard you in all your ways

    Ps 91:11 NIV

  12. 862
    Kathy Emeigh says:

    From Kathy Emeigh in Bethlehem PA –

    Now – May the God of Hope, fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
    Romans 15:13 NASB

  13. 863
    TJ Williams says:

    TJ, Clinton OK
    Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings – Psalm 17:8 NIV

  14. 864
    Shana says:

    Colossians 2:14-15 [NIV] – …having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

  15. 865
    Vicki S says:

    Vicki, Wilmington, NC
    Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
    Psalm 34:19 ESV

  16. 866
    Kim Peterson says:

    Kim Peterson from Vista, CA

    Romans 12:13 NIV

    Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

  17. 867
    Faye Tronsgard says:

    Faye from Calgary, Canada

    “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

  18. 868
    Susan Gittemeier says:

    Susan, Overland Park, KS
    “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”
    Ps. 27:13 NIV

  19. 869
    Michelle Vasquez says:

    Michelle V., Hewitt, TX

    He planned to bring all of history to its goal in Christ. Then Christ would be the head of everything in heaven and on earth.

    Ephesians 1:10 GW

  20. 870
    Sara Meredith says:

    Sara Meredith
    Morton IL

    Hope anchors the soul. –Hebrews 6:19

  21. 871
    Katherine Emerson says:

    Katherine Emerson, Livingston, Tx

    “I love you, Lord, my strength.” Psalm 18:1 NIV

  22. 872
    Jill Sanders says:

    Jill Sanders, Leachville, AR

    Repay no one evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

    ~Romans 12:17

  23. 873
    Shannon Pate says:

    Shannon Pate
    Little Rock, Arkansas
    1 Peter3:12a (ESV)
    “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers.”

  24. 874
    Pamela Shaw says:

    Pamela Shaw, Bangor, Northern Ireland
    ‘Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.’ Ps 121:4 (NIV)

  25. 875
    Diane says:

    Diane, Wichita, KS
    God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
    Psalm 18:30 NLT

  26. 876
    Beth Kellett says:

    Beth from Calgary AB Canada

    “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
    ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭16:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

  27. 877
    Rebecca murphy says:

    Rebecca- eagle point, OR
    “Then they cried out to The Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress. He sent out His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.” Psalm 107:19-20 ESV

  28. 878
    Kathy King says:

    Kathy King
    Woodstock, GA
    Psalm 105:4 ESV
    Seek the Lord and His strength;
    Seek His presence continually.

  29. 879
    Laura Beatie says:

    Laura from Aurora, MO

    Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. 2 His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. 4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. 5 Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. 6 Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. 7 He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
    Psalm 112 1-7

  30. 880
    kathy(bigsis) says:

    Kathy
    St. Louis, MO
    “The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.’ ” Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV’84)

  31. 881
    Diane LeJeune says:

    Diane LeJeune, Fairview, TN

    “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

  32. 882
    Fontaine Tabor- Lake Charles, LA says:

    Proverbs 15:16 (ESV)
    Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.

  33. 883
    Holly Tabor says:

    Holly Tabor, Nixa, Missouri

    Come to me, all who are weary and heavy- laden, and I will give you rest.

    Matthew 11:28 NASB

  34. 884
    Jane Ball-Carrollton KY says:

    “Not that we are adequate in ourselves, but our adequacy is from GOD.”
    2 Corinthians 3:5 NASB

  35. 885
    Heather Hoch says:

    Heather Hoch Pflugerville, TX

    Psalm 63:4 (NASB)
    So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.

  36. 886
    Fontaine Tabor- Lake Charles, LA says:

    Proverbs 15:16 (ESV)
    Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.

  37. 887
    Shari Valdez says:

    Shari Valdez, Long Beach, California
    Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. NKJV

  38. 888
    Brenda says:

    Brenda, Ottawa, Canada

    Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

    Joshua 1:9 NKJV

  39. 889
    Marsha Middleton says:

    Marsha Middleton Lee’s Summit, MO

    Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, Ephesians 2:19 NKJV

  40. 890
    Sue says:

    Sue from Michigan. “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.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

  41. 891
    Natalie says:

    Natalie, Anchorage AK
    Phil. 1:9-10 NIV
    And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.

  42. 892
    Leah Kuor says:

    Leah Kuor, Salem, OR

    2 Peter 1:21 (NASB) “..for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

  43. 893
    Eleanor says:

    Eleanor MacKay, Saskatoon, SK.Canada

    ‘For this reason, we also,since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.’

    Col. 1:9 NKJV

  44. 894
    Christy Richardson says:

    Christy Richardson. Portageville, MO
    “Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal”. Isaiah 26:4 NIV

  45. 895
    Cecelia Stewart says:

    Cecelia, Tustin, CA
    I will say to the north, ‘Give them up! and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back! Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth – everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
    Isaiah 43:6-7

  46. 896
    Janice says:

    Janice Meyer

    John 15:5 ESV
    “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

  47. 897
    Billie Sampsell says:

    Billie, Franklin, TN
    Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.
    Psalm 105:4 NIV

  48. 898
    Kathy Ray says:

    Isaiah 64:4
    Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived,
    no eye has seen a god besides You. who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.

  49. 899
    Faith Unruh says:

    Faith from Coeur d’Alene, ID
    The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
    Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV

  50. 900
    Dr. Wilma Arant says:

    Dr. Wilma Arant, Swartz, LA;

    “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8

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