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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jamee Miller from Sanford, FL
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Audra from Flemington, MO “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins” 1 Peter 4:8 NLT
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)
I think this will be my next verse, really spoke to me. Thank you, Mary
This one of my many Favorite verses because it reminds us that Gods Love is so Great toward us that every morning we wake up and take in his wonderful creation it’s because of his Mercies..
Stacy Buckley from Greenfield, Indiana
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Stacy thank you for posting this scripture verse as it speaks volumes to me. I’m referencing for later memorization.
Yes, thank you Stacy. This is going to be my next memory voice. I love it!
Adrianna Anderson
Pinson, Al
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Mathew 6:33 NIV
Cathy Morris Sedona, AZ
“You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 26:3 ESV
We have sufferings now, but these are nothing compared to the great glory that will be given to us. Romans 8:18 ERV
This will be my next one I think.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Julie Dally – Taylors Falls, MN
De Anna- Greenville SC
Psalm 56:3-4 NLT
3 But when I am afraid,
I will put my trust in you.
4 I praise God for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?
Happy NEW YEAR!!
Jenn Kuenzler from Waterloo, Ontario:
James 1:1-15 NIV
“….but each of you is tempted when you are dragged away by your own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death.”
Angela Moser, Upper Sandusky, Ohio
They they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom
and broke away their chains.
Psalm 107:13,14 NIV
Indianapolis, IN
Let all that you do be done in love. (â€1 Corinthians‬ â€16‬:â€14‬ ESV)
Hi Emily in Indianapolis. I’m in Indianapolis too. I enjoy your first verse selection.
Oops! So excited I forgot my city…Atlanta!
Isaiah 59:21 (NIV)
“As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit, who is on you, and My words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever,” says the LORD.
Hometown: Midland, TX
Berni, Albuquerque
“I have no greater joy than this:
to hear that my children are living
according to the truth.” 3 John 1:4 NET
Shannon Seal, Denham Springs, LA “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 NLV
Tina, Columbus Ohio
But he knows the way I take, when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps: I have kept His way and not turned aside. Job 23:10&11 NKJV
Great verse!
Suzanne in Harrisville
“For in this hope we are saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?”
Romans 8:24 ESV
Terri Fullerton, Abilene, TX, “It is for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Gal 5:1, NIV
Cindy from Michigan ready to go!
Amanda Porter. Lubbock, TX. “For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life and spirit, and of joints and marrow, exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.” -Hebrews 4:12, AMP
Ephesians 3:16 (NIV)
I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being.
Margie Snyder
Groveland, Florida
So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!
Psalms‬ â€32‬:â€11‬ NLT
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 NIV
La Teisa Crockett Bedford Heights, OH The joy of the Lord is my strength Phil. 4:13 (WEB)
Natalie Ames from St. Charles, IL – By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. (â€2 Peter‬ â€1‬:â€3‬ NLT)
Ashley, Madill, OK, Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time. Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Mary Pharris from DeQuincy, La Psalm 146:1 Praise the Lord. How great it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him. NIV
Stephanie,Altoona PA, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;” 2 Corinthians 4:7-8 ESV
Happy New Year Ladies!
“See, I am doing a NEW thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19) NIV
Tamara Ward, Woodbridge, Virginia
Jessica, Westminster, MD
“Sow for yourself righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12, ESV
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12.2 NIV
Fulton, KY
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NIV 1984
Kim Callan Charlotte, NC Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight,O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NKJV
That was our school verse at Mt. Pleasant High School! class of 1983.
Holly Watkins, Apex, NC. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he will lift you up in due time.” 1 Peter 5:6 NIV
Michelle Rodriguez, Beavercreek, Ohio
“Since,then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things” Colossians 3:1&2 NIV
Alyssa K Mochen
Rio Rancho, NM
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13 ESV
So blessed me. This is going to be my next verse. I am going to believe God brings hope!!!!
Kimberly Orr
Zionsville, Indiana
2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. (â€1 Corinthians‬ â€13‬:â€1-3‬ NASB)
andrea, gainesville, ga
I’m not quite sure where to post my scripture, but here goes.
Sandy from Bunker Hill WV:
“Do not let kindness & truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the table of your heart. So you will find favor & good repute in the sight of God & man.” Prov 3:1-4 NIV
Michelle Cheney, Bossier City, LA
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Wonderful verse. 🙂 Could be my 1/15/15 verse.
I really like this verse and have relied on it a lot when I feel fearful.
Like ^^
Thanks for sharing this verse. I’m choosing it for my first verse and praying it for my daughter, a young widow.
Donna Garvin from Eldorado, Texas “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18 NIV-’84
Joleen S, Magnolia, TX.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galations 5:1 (NIV)
Beckie Potterfield, Florence, SC. 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. NIV
In want of internalizing the word: Isaiah 40:8 ESV The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
Kate, London, ON.
At the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it – Hebrews 12:11 ESV
Sue Middeldorf – Troy, Michigan – “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Angela Wagner, Pittsburgh, PA
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12, ESV
Angie, Hayti, Missouri, The reverent worshipful fear of the Lord leads to life; and he who has it rests satisfied; he cannot be visited with evil. Proverbs 19:23 AMP
1 Thessalonians 2:8 NLT
We loved you so much that we shared with you not only Gods Good News but our own lives, too.