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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Christy from Holland, MI
“Then let us go up to Bethel where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.
Genesis 35:3 NIV
Prov. 13:20 “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.”
Carla, Brighton, IL “Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 106:1 NIV
Dana Nance
Blue Ridge, Tx
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 NIV (1984)
Jenni Downing, Woodstock, GA “…But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” Isaiah 66:2 ESV
Gwyn Cummings, Rowlett, TX. “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your path; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
Cheryl O’Neal, Lake Charles, LA
“Brothers (Sisters) I do not consider that I have made it my own.
But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind
and straining forward to what lies ahead.”
Philippians 3:13 (ESV)
Susan Goodwin, Saint Joseph, MO “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Psalm 91: 1-2 KJV
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
(I mostly know these verses in parts but want to put them together and in order)
Vanita from Houston, TX. “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.: Psalm 40:3 NIV
Ex 20:15″ thou shall not Steal”
Janie Forsythe from Avon, Indiana
I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.
Psalm 17:6 NLT
Proverbs 28:6 – “Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.”
Amy Hudson, Jenks,OK
“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
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O Lord my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Lois, Abilene, KS. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works , so that no one can boast.” Eph 2:8-9. NIV
Rachel Wingerd, Kilgore, TX. “But he said to me, ” my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Beverly from Burke, VA “Do nothing out of selfish ambition, or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3
Diane Gillet, Hanson, MA
But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5 NASV
Terry, Louisa, VA
“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 minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Colossians 3:1-2 NIV ’84
Sherri, Albuquerque
“You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise you heavenly Father.” Matt 5:14-16
Kathryn Willmar MN-The proverb I am on today Proverb 31-Jesus, I love You and want You more than anything else. I love You and want You more than the approval of my peers, family and friends, and even the naysayers in my life. I love You and want You more than the comforts and trappings of this world. I love You and choose to believe Your truth over Satan’s lies. I love You and choose to worship You and You alone. Jesus, I love You and want to come to You empty-handed and offer my life in complete surrender.” ay is Proverb 31-
Jenny-Swannanoa NC
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 NIV
Cathy M. Seattle, WA
Philippians 4:6 NIV “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”.
Karen Odle, London, England: “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
megan Saville.
Williamston, SC
Philippians 4:8
8 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 any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Debbie Alix, Valley Falls, NY “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Laurel, Montana – “Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sothenes,” 1 Corinthians 1:1 NIV84
Amy, Sweeny, TX
Isiah 43:18-19
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now you do not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wilderness.
Angie Gardiner Alvord, Texas
Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19 (NASB)
Beth, Lansing, MI. The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
Carol Tippie, Cincinnati, Ohio
James 1:12-13 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
Kerri Boise,Idaho “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV
Fort Gibson, OK
Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you. I will hold onto you with my righteous hand. Isaiah 41:10 HCSB
Deb from Anchorage, Ak “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” Ps.90:14 NIV
Janet Little, Leduc, Alberta Canada
1 Cor 6 19-20 NIV Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, Whom is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; You were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Traci in College Station, TX “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10 NIV
Psalms 23:1, BBE
“The Lord takes care of me as his sheep, I will not be without
any good thing”
Sarah, Brownwood, TX. “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 New Living Translation.
Brandi & Caitlin Conrad from Houston, TX (my daughter & I are doing this together)
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, – Philippians 3:13, NLT
Erica Benson, MWC, OK – For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. (â€Habakkuk‬ â€2‬:â€3‬ NKJV)
Lee Ann, Talladega,AL “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10 NKJV
Stephanie Bandy, Springfield, MO
“Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.”
Psalm 116:2 NKJV
Stacey, Garland, Texas. Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (â€James‬ â€1‬:â€27‬ HCSB)
Marilyn A. Magallanes, Nashville, TN — “If you will listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and obey it, and do what is right, then I will not make you suffer the diseases I sent on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord who heals you” (Exodus 15:26, TLB).
Amber from Perth, Western Australia:
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NIV
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 (ESV)
Kristina, Houston,TX
“Trust me in your times of trouble and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” Psalm 50:15
Christy Crownover
Scottsboro, AL
“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)
Janice Hilt Arcanum, OH
“The LORD your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.
Zephaniah 3:17 NASB