WELCOME, EVERYONE, TO THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE 2015 SIESTA SCRIPTURE MEMORY TEAM!
WOOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!
Allow me to introduce myself to you as your fellow sojourner for the next 12 months and your official cheerleader. It will be my pleasure to remind you often that, in Christ Jesus, you most certainly CAN be victorious in this adventure of the faith, this challenge of the mind and this discipline of the Spirit.
Nothing we’ve done on this blog since its inception has seemed to attract more outrageous favor from God. We are convinced that He loves it. God never misses a single individual going to the work of memorizing His Word but imagine His delight when a huge community of tremendously diverse women in age, background, and worship tradition band together in a pilgrimage of faith. You don’t have to stop and wonder if it’s God’s will for His words to abide in you. The Word of God alive, active, and abiding in us speaks to us, shields us, warns us, strengthens us, sanctifies us, equips us in our callings, and directs us in our decision making. It sharpens our insight and improves our discernment. It makes us wiser and, let’s be bold enough to say, even smarter. Our brains were hardwired to flourish across the board when nourished by the Scriptures. Above all else, Scripture abiding and thriving in us builds up our faith, for “faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) Â And, Girlfriend, we want to be women of faith. That faith erupts into works that were planned for each of us before the creation of the world. (Ephesians 2:10)
OK. I want to get right to it before I lose some of you so that no one will be unclear about the protocol.
The entry of your first verse is your official registration for SSMT (Siesta Scripture Memory Team). Everybody who joins us needs to start right here in a designated comment to this exact post. Even those who may jump in with us a couple of months late who are willing to work double-time to get it all done will start right here.
For a quick recap of our objective: Remember, we are committing to the memorization of 24 verses in 12 months. Two a month. We each get to select our own verses to align with our personal needs and challenges. Choosing a Scripture that resonates with you is immensely helpful in the memorization process. If you have trouble coming up with one of your own, you can always share mine or look through the other entries for ideas. You’ll find your SSMT posts right here on the blog at 8:00 AM on the 1st and 15th of every month in 2015. [Under the LINKS section listed on the right hand side of our blog home page, you will find all SSMT posts will store together for easy access. See “Scripture Memory Team 2015”.] If you haven’t had a chance to read all the instructions and hear about our end-of-year celebration, please go back and read the informational post then return to this spot. Questions unanswered here are answered there.
One of the most important things for you to know from the top is how to arrange your comment with the verse you’ve selected. We limit each comment to this information:Â
Your name, city, verse (written all the way out), reference, and translation.Â
SO, here goes mine! I’m obsessed with the Book of Ephesians right now so much of my memory work will probably come from those pages.
Beth Moore, Houston, Texas. “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” Ephesians 2:19 ESV
We’re fellow citizens with the likes of Peter and John and James and Stephen and Paul and Timothy and Barnabas and Joanna and Susanna and Lydia and Tabitha and just try counting all the Marys. We’re fellow citizens and members of the household of Middle Eastern believers confessing Christ in hostile climates, of Chinese believers meeting in house churches, of Eastern European believers finding hope in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have brothers and sisters in Thessaloniki, in Paris, in Belfast, in Riyadh, in Copenhagen, in Calgary, and Rome. We – right here in this community – are sisters to a household of God that stretches across this globe, saved by the blood of Jesus Christ alone. By grace through faith. “It is the gift of God, not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) That’s what makes us family. We, beloved sister, are in gorgeous company. Let’s give our time on this planet as part of this household all we’ve got. Christ is so altogether worthy.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! One last thing before I say Go! Don’t panic or jump the gun and post a second time if you don’t see your verse published soon. I will be moderating all these launch comments by myself because I don’t want my staff to have to work on the holiday so I beg your patience. I’ll be hard at work on it but it will take me a while to get them all posted. As a rule over the next 12 months, only post a second time if it’s been 48 hours since you left the comment and you still don’t see it.
****I noticed that some of you posted verses earlier than this post was published and they came up on the SSMT informational comments.  I should have doubly emphasized what time the posts will go up each round: 8:00 AM, each 1st and 15th. So sorry if I did not make that clear enough! If you submit your verse earlier than that, it unfortunately appears under the wrong post and, the way blog moderating works, there’s no way for us to transfer the comments over. If you left your 1st verse under any other post than this one, please add it here as well. This is the official registration post.  I know it’s a bit complicated at first! Hang with it! So sorry for your extra trouble!
Hey, I am so glad you’re doing this with us. So much love to you.
OK, GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Indianapolis, Indiana
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9 NKJV
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God 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. Ephesians 6: 17-18
Sheila, Cypress
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:13, NIV)
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7 NIV
Susan
Tyler, TX
May 1, 2015, 11:40a.m.
“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”
Psalm 86:11
Debbie Baker, Las Vegas, NV
Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just BELIEVE.”
Mark 5:36 NIV
Deb N., Anchorage, AK
We have not recieved the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.”
ICorinthians 2:12 (niv)
Lisa Martin – Chesterfield MO
The Word gave life to everhthing that was created and HIS life brought light to everyone.
John 1:4
In light of all the violence I think we must remember that God is in control. To follow Jesus is to Love everyone.
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trust in you. Isaiah 26:3
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (â€James‬ â€2‬:â€26‬ NKJV)
–Prairieville Louisiana
Huntsville, TX
When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. Psalm 94:19 ESV
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 14:26 KJV
Kimber Perrotta
East Hampton, CT
“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” ~ 1 Corinthians 1:18, ESV
Bennie Edwards. Amarillo, Texas
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8
Lam. 3:22-24 ESV
The steadfast love of The Lord never ceases;
His mercies never come to an end;
They are new every morning,
Great is Your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul.
Therefore I will hope in Him.
Lisa Walker
Hendersonville, TN
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.
Galatians 5:23
Becky Mims Midland, Texas
“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen from me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” Philippians 4:9 NIV
Marla Svedeman
San Antonio, Texas
May 1 NIV
He has shown you, O mortal what is good. and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Kathryn Anderson, Jacksonville Florida: “Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20 NASB
Kathryn Anderson Jacksonville, FL : “But as many received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” John 1:12 NASB
Sharon from Modesto, Ca.
getting a late start but not willing to give up
NIV Romans 12:9
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Pamela, Hendersonville, TN
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for HE who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:23
NKJV
Jennifer B., Fort Collins, CO. “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 anything of virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8 NKJV. I’m late in joining the challenge, but I need this change of heart and am up for a good run of dedication to God’s truth!
Alicia Cesario, San Pedro, California. “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.” John 15:1
“Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; He will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of His right hand”
Ps 20:6 ESV
Nancy Huebner, Spring Hill, TN
“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
“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.” (â€Psalms‬ â€61‬:â€2‬ KJV)
“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.” (Psalms‬ â€61‬:â€2‬ KJV)
Janice, Tulsa, OK.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever. Psalm 111:10 NKJV.
Is it too late to join in? I realize I am behind but I have been memorizing since the beginning of 2015 but didn’t find this until now?
“Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
Isaiah 53:1(NIV 2011)
Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:7 KJV
Sheila, Cypress
“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)
Nesha Vest – Mechanicsville, VA
‘I lift my eyes to the mountains- where does my help come from?’
Psalm 121:1 NIV
Holly from Alpharetta, GA
Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry. NIV
Janene Ford,
Henley, MO
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
Philippians 4:8
“Finally brethern, whatsover things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if their be any praise, think on these things.”
Kokomo In
But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
Acts 20:24 NLT
Woo Hoo!! We did it!!
“This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.”
â€â€1 John‬ â€4:17‬ â€NIV‬‬
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 NKJ
January 1, 2015
1 Thes. 5:16-18. NKJ
Rejoice always.
Pray without ceasing.
In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
La Porte, Texas – NIV Exodus 20:1 ” And God spoke all these words, I AM the Lord Your God who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”
Verse 25…..A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones Proverbs 17:22 NIV
Melissa J, Houston, TX
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1
Julie Barnes, Arkansas
My son, do not forget my teaching,but let your heart keep my commandments;
For length of days and years of life and peace they’ll add to you.
Proverbs 3:1-2 NIV
Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide in the shadow of the almighty. KJV
Augusta, GA. December 1st verse:
“But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,”
â€â€Matthew‬ â€6:3‬ â€NKJV‬‬
Augusta, GA. December 15th verse:
“To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.”
â€â€Proverbs‬ â€21:3‬ â€NKJV‬‬
“So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7 MSG