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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  1. 1851
    Marsha Saucier says:

    Psalm 37:4 ESV

    Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of the your heart.

  2. 1852
    Jennifer B says:

    Jennifer B
    Lucas, TX

    because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

    James 1:20 NIV

  3. 1853
    Kirby Ray says:

    Kirby Ray from Parsons, KS. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Matthew 5:17 NIV

  4. 1854
    Jill Smith says:

    Jill Smith, Eugene, OR
    And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

  5. 1855
    Pat W says:

    PatWilfong,GreenBankWV.

    (3) Blessed are the poor in spirit:
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
    (8) Blessed are the pure in heart,:
    for they shall see God.

    Matthew 5:3,8.
    Holy Bible, KJV.

  6. 1856
    Cynthia says:

    Cynthia, Russellville, AR

    “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. ”
    1 Peter 5:7

  7. 1857
    Nesha says:

    Nesha Vest- Mechanicsville, VA

    ‘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.’
    Matt 11:29 NIV

  8. 1858
    Holly Moore says:

    Holly from Alpharetta, GA

    Romans 8:9 NIV You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you

  9. 1859
    Elisabeth Hartley says:

    “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.”
    ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:17

  10. 1860
    Elisabeth hartley says:

    “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”
    ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

  11. 1861
    Cindy Gandy says:

    Cindy Gandy
    Hazlehurst, MS

    Psalm 23:4(KJV)

    Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

  12. 1862
    Sherry Lee says:

    How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!
    Psalms 139:17-18 NLT
    http://bible.com/116/psa.139.17-18.NLT

  13. 1863
    Janet Harrison says:

    Roanoke, TX

    “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
    ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

  14. 1864
    Marilyn Gillis says:

    Marilyn Gillis, Florence, AL
    Ephesians 6:14 NIV
    Stand firm then, with the belt of truth
    buckled around your waist, with the
    breastplate of righteousness in place,

  15. 1865
    Marilyn Gillis says:

    Marilyn Gillis, Florence, AL
    Ephesians 6:15 NIV
    and with your feet fitted with the readiness
    that comes from the gospel of peace.

  16. 1866
    Marilyn Gillis says:

    Marilyn Gillis, Florence, AL
    Ephesians 6:16 NIV
    In addition to all this, take up the shield
    of faith, with which you can extinguish
    All the flaming arrows of the evil one.

  17. 1867
    Marilyn Gillis says:

    Marilyn Gillis, Florence, AL
    Ephesians 6:17 NIV

    Take the helmet of salvation and the
    sword of the Spirit, which is the Word
    of God.

  18. 1868
    Marilyn Gillis says:

    Marilyn Gillis, Florence, Al
    Ephesians 6:18 NIV

    And pray in the Spirit on all occasions
    with all kinds of prayers and requests.
    With this in mind, be alert and always
    keep on praying for all the saints.

  19. 1869
    Christy Pond says:

    Christy, Conifer, Colorado

    I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

    Philemon 1:6 NIV1984

  20. 1870

    Morgan Roberts
    Brandon, MS
    “So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD.” Lamentations 3:26 NLT

  21. 1871
    AnnaRuth says:

    Anna, Little Elm, TX

    He chose us in the Messiah before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before Him in love.

    Ephesians 1:4 (TLV)

  22. 1872
    Jana Stroud says:

    Jana Stroud, Houston TX
    When they saw the star, they were overjoyed…Matthew 2:10 (NIV)

  23. 1873
    Natalie Ely says:

    Natalie Ely

    Cumberland Gap, TN
    1 Thessalonians 1:3 KJV
    Remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labour of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God and our Father

  24. 1874
    Beverly Ely says:

    Beverly Ely
    Cumberland Gap, TN
    Psalm 9:1 KJV
    I will praise thee Oh Lord with my whole heart I will show forth all thy marvelous works

  25. 1875
    Frances Evans says:

    “The Lord is my strength & my shield; in Him my heart trusts and I am helped, my heart exults and with my song I give thanks to Hi.” Ps. 28:7

  26. 1876
    Jennine says:

    built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone,

    Ephesians 2:20

  27. 1877
    Kay Garrison says:

    for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

    James 1:20 ESV

  28. 1878
    Johnine Adomitis says:

    Johnine from Anna, Texas
    Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 NIV

  29. 1879
    Sara Garringer says:

    Sara, Greenfield, IN

    For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

    Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)

  30. 1880
    Erika powell says:

    Erika Powell, celebration fl

    The heart of man plans his way,
    but the Lord establishes his steps.
    Proverbs 16:9 ESV

  31. 1881
    Patricia Gandy says:

    Patricia Gandy
    Florence

    Psalm 103:4 (NIV)

    who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,

  32. 1882
    Angie Miller says:

    Angie Miller, Macon, MS

    Psalm 91:1, NLT
    Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

  33. 1883
    Inez Barnes says:

    Inez Barnes
    Hamburg Ar

    Job 1:21 NKJV
    The LORD gives and the LORD has taken away blessed be the name of the LORD

  34. 1884
    Laura Hall says:

    Laura
    Kyle, Texas

    “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 ESV

  35. 1885
    Elaine says:

    Elaine, New Orleans, LA

    For God did not give you a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:17 NIV

  36. 1886
    alyssa molina says:

    Alyssa Molina, Sealy TX- NIV Psalm 27:9– Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.

  37. 1887
    DLynn Miracle says:

    October 1
    Psalm 25:16 NIV
    16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.

  38. 1888
    Shonda Vielbig says:

    Shonda Vielbig, Ventura, CA For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Tim 1:7 NIV

  39. 1889
    Julie Barnes says:

    Julie Barnes, Arkansas
    I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge
    And every kind of discernment so that you can determine what
    Really matters and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ.
    Philippians 1:9-10 NIV

  40. 1890
    Mei Au says:

    Mei, Easley SC

    I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
    I set your rules before me. Ps 119:30 ESV

  41. 1891
    karina allen says:

    Karina
    Baton Rouge, La.

    “…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

  42. 1892
    Stephanie says:

    Stephanie, Queen City, Tx
    6) “Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”
    Luke 6:36 (NKJV)

  43. 1893
    Linda N says:

    Linda in Chester, VA

    “Help me guard my words whenever I say something.”
    Psalm 141:3 (CEV)

  44. 1894
    Gwen McVey says:

    Gwen M – Longview Tx
    James 3:6New International Version (NIV)

    6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

  45. 1895
    Esther Mancia says:

    Esther Mancia -Little Elm TX –

    Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest
    Matthew 11:28 NIV

  46. 1896
    Melissa Eaton says:

    Melissa E
    Anna, Tx

    ” He put a new song in my mouth a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, put their trust in the Lord.”
    Psalm 40:3 ESV

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