REMINDER: Tomorrow (January 1st) I’ll put up our first post for our first Scripture so don’t forget to get your spiral index cards today if you don’t already have them!! I’m very proud of you, Siestas! And so honored to be your servant. May Christ be greatly exalted and His Word be our double edged Sword!
UPDATE: Siestas, it’s 7:15 PM and we are already well over 500 strong! I am astounded. I have to tell you something. It’s not that terribly often that I just outright feel the unabashed pleasure of God. I certainly feel His love and approval but that’s not what I’m talking about right now. I’m talking about that glorious sense that God is really smiling over something. Maybe even laughing. When He’s really happy about a thing. Much of the time either life, busy-ness, self-condemnation or just plain sin gets in the way. But, Girlfriends, I feel it right this second. HE IS PLEASED WITH THIS. Sit back, take a second and feel His good pleasure. He LOVES this idea. And I guess you know what that means: it was His idea to start with. Which means He’ll also empower it. One last thing. A few of you commented that you want to become a Siesta in 2009. I’m so sorry that it sounds like some kind of club you have to join. Listen, if you are a girl and you are a Christian, you are a Siesta. Way back when we first began the blog, I was trying to call the women on here “sistas” (sisters) and spell check corrected it to Siestas and it stuck. Everybody’s welcome. It’s just an endearment for sister. You’re already loved and welcomed here!
Original Post:
Hey, Siestas? Anybody want to memorize some Scripture together this year? A few days ago my devotional was on making preparations for a visitation from God. It was based on the Old Testament Israelites preparing (actually RE-pairing) the Temple under the reign of King Josiah after the serious neglect of previous generations and restoring it to a place where God would want to dwell. It made me think that if I really want a Jesus-year – and I do – that there are several things I could do to prepare for it. This is one of them.
Scripture memorization has been among the most profoundly effective disciplines of the faith that God has ever given me to practice. Honestly, I think I would’ve lost my mind by now if He had not pasted His Word all over it. Every personal battle we face is won or lost on the playing field of our mind. I’m deeply serious when I tell you that I have some ongoing areas of relational challenge that would absolutely overtake my thought life with anxiety, fear, resentment and bitterness if I didn’t grab my index cards at critical moments and start saying my Scriptures. I did it as recently as yesterday when, concerning a particular situation, I thought to myself, “I cannot take this again.” It calmed me and kept me from acting like I felt. And then I slowly felt better. Scripture memory has long since been a necessity for victory for me. My mind is very prone to obsessive thoughts. I’ve never broken a single stronghold without deliberatly repeating Scriptures more times than my mind could repeat a destructive or unhealthy thought. The Truth finally trumps the lie or comforts the hurt. God prevails and I get the victory. This is the essence of 2 Cor. 10:3-5.
SO, yesterday I was thinking to myself that if I really wanted a Jesus-year, I needed a fresh commitment and plan for Scripture memory for 2009 then wondered to myself who might partner with me. I’ve practiced the discipline for years by myself but the times I’ve been most victorious and consistent with it have been those times when I enlisted accountability. So, who could I get to be my partner, I wondered? Then the thought just popped into my head: SIESTAS! After all, what on earth is a Siesta for if not to stir you up to love and good works and all the more as the Day is drawing near (Heb. 10:24,25)?
SO, anybody want to do this with me? Let me say quickly that there’s no pressure to sign up or condemnation here if you don’t. Many of you have your own accountability groups for various Spiritual disciplines and that’s fantastic. Face-to-face is best of all. Others are up to their eyebrows in commitments already. I certainly do understand that! I’m just making the offer to anybody who wants to. Don’t just do it because you need to. Do it because you want to. We will never sustain a practice based solely on what we need. At the end of the day, each one of us does what we want to.
Don’t worry. This won’t take over the blog or make you feel left out if you don’t sign up. It will just be an additional thing among many that we’re doing on here. That said, here’s what I have in mind so that you can think it over. We’re going to make this really doable.
*Commit to memorize (or seriously meditate on) 2 Scriptures a month. See? Very, very doable! Doesn’t seem like much at first but imagine that, in exactly one year, you’ll have memorized 24 new Scriptures! That, my dear sister, is a feat. The reason why I threw in the parenthetical “or seriously meditate on” part is this: a number of people have told me through the years – especially those in their 50s, 60s, and 70s or those of any age with chronic ADD – that they just can’t memorize. OK, so meditate! Listen, the whole purpose of the process is to take our minds captive to the knowledge of Christ and demolish strongholds or nip potential ones in the proverbial bud. As long as those Scriptures are rolling around in your head, your mind is being held captive to Christ-centered thoughts and led away from destructive or carnal thoughts whether or not you’re getting the words in the exact right order. At least three huge things happen when we memorize: our brains are bathed. Our brains are sharpened. Our ammunition is loaded.
*Sign up on this post with your name and the city where you live. Really give it some serious thought before you jump on here and sign right up. Let’s pull together a group that makes it all the way to next December! Do you really want to do this all year long? Will you commit to hang with it? Then sign up, you darlin’ thing!
*Watch for posts on the 1st and 15th of every month where I’ll ask you to turn in the Scripture you’re feeling led to memorize. (You’ll write it all the way out in the version of your choice and put the reference with it because one of your Siestas might read it and want to memorize it next.) This is an important part of our process! We’re NOT going to memorize the same Scriptures. I’ve learned through the years that we have the most victory with the verses that we each need most. Ask God to give you what He wants to prioritize for you this year then listen carefully through your quiet times, your Bible studies and your pastor’s sermons for verses that really resonate with you or that you know you really need. He’ll highlight one of those in your heart. Choose it with confidence. You’ll most easily memorize what means most to you.
*Buy a brand new set of index cards with a spiral that is only for this Scripture memory plan. (Most grocery stores and pharmacies have them. Easy to find.) You’ll need to have it by New Year’s Day so that you can write your first verse in it. Keep it with you A LOT. The car is a really great place to practice your Scriptures. Also be sure to get them out and say them every time you’re feeling tempted to obsessive thoughts. You will be amazed at the impact God’s Word will have on your thoughts. This right here, Girlfriends, is how we learn to wield the Sword of the Spirit.
*Watch your prayer life change. Check out John 15:7-8. The more God’s Word abides in us, the more the mind of Christ is developed in us. The end result will be that we will pray more and more of God’s will and get more and more of what we’ve asked. Do not think for a moment that praying in the will of God narrows your requests. It blows them wide open! Ask Him in this Jesus-year to explode your effectiveness in prayer then watch it happen.
*Have fun with it! Scripture memory is some work but it’s also really fun. Especially if we do it together!! Anybody game?
Tags: Scripture Memory
Ashley Venable
Denton, Texas
It's never too late to start memorizing scripture. I will start my "year" April 1, 2010. Until then, I'll be praying about the first verse God will have me choose.
I'm excited!
Stacey
38
Boulder, CO
It's never too late to start memorizing scripture. I will start my "year" April 1, 2010. Until then, I'll be praying about the first verse God will have me choose.
I'm excited!
Stacey
38
Boulder, CO
I too just came across this awesome challenge and can’t wait to begin. I will also begin my “year” April, 1, 2010. So looking forward to experiencing all God will do in me as I commit to hiding His word in my heart consistently! I know this SSMT will keep me on track. Thank you Lord for bringing me to this site!
Stephanie – 44 from Talala,OK
How do you join the scripture memory team? Memorizing God’s word has been the most empowering thing in my life other than my quiet time. I’ve learned that it gives the Holy Spirit a vocabulary in our lives. And it really helps to meditate on the Word when it is already in your heart. Another cool thing is that once it goes from short to long term memory, it actually becomes part of your flesh, your DNA – how awesome is that? I have become addicted to it.
I would like to join ya’ll.
Thanks.
In Him,
Tanya
I just ran across this site and I am so excited to find a scripture memorizing team. I am so in. I know its 4/16/10 but I hope it is not too late. I am out to get my index cards now. Have a great weekend. Yours in Christ, Beth
I just ran across LPM’s blog today, I can’t believe I had not seen this until now, I love Beth Moore! When I read about the scripture memorizing challenge/team, I got excited and the Holy Spirit in me is pumped, because I need to start memorizing & meditating scripture again. Scripture enhances everything in life! I plan to start August 1, 2010, and I am excited to see that LPM will do this again in 2011, so I’ll be all warmed up!
I just found this as well I will start with 1 scripture for August 2010 and continue and join in in 2011 =)
Andi Juliette
Dawsonville, GA
I just found this and I am so excited, I am jumping in with both feet.
I so love YOU Beth !! I have waited so long to see you and finally I was with you at Lexington on Aug 13…oh my, it was exactly were I was suppose to be! Every word spoke to my heart ! I so need this and the accountability part. I’m sticking my whole head in !!!
Teresa (Trixi) Mefford
Belton, Ky
I am sticking my whole head in too. I was with you guys in Ky I am going to join now and continue in 2011. I have picture of the fountain that I am going to use as an encouragement of filling my heart with The Water Of Life.
Until He Shouts!!!
I’ve wanted to be a scripture memorizer, but I start and don’t stick with it…just like running was hard until I found a partner! I’m so glad to find this group.
Pasadena, CA
I want to commit to memorizing God’s word with your group
I want to commit to memorizing again this year. I am excited to be a part of this group. I just pray I for God’s strength and my obedience to carry this through to the end.
48 yrs
Granite City, IL
I’ve been a Christian far too long to not be better at this. Tomorrow is a new day.
Frisco, TX
Yes, I want to commit to memorizing 24 scriptures during 2011.
this is Nancy in Aurora, CO. I want to be part of the Siestas and memorize 24 verses in 2011.
I’m all in definitely. I want to reignite my passion for Christ and I think God’s Word is the way! thanks for this opportunity… Indianapolis, IN
Danville KY
Julie, Danville – Psalm 46:4 “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.” NIV
Margie – Shell, Ecuador – Romans 15:13 “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.” NIV
Penny from Colfax, CA. “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God, for the salvation of everyone who believes;first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” Romans 1:16 Life App. Bible
Romans 12:2 NIV “And do not be conformed to this world……”
Signing up. Late, but better than never.
Sade A.London, UK – Job 14:7 For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again. And that its tender shoots will not cease.(NKJV)
Sterling Heights, Michigan
jean houston, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” 2 Pet. 1:3,
NIV
I am game! Let’s do this.
Cedar Rapids, IA
Houston, TX
“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
Toni ~January 4, 2010~
Hattiesburg
Late getting started, but I’m ready.
I had difficulty getting on, but will start today January 5, 2011. Jesus said, “The most important commandment is, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, with all your mind, & with all your strength.’ The 2nd is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” Mark 12:28-34
So excited about Siesta scriptures! (Thanks to my friend Peggy Baker)!! My FIRST verse!
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”-2 Corinthians 5:17
I just found out about this today from a dear friend.
I’m in.
“He has shown thee o man, what is good, and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God” Micah 6:8 KJV
Sue
28
Bakersfield, CA
Mary – Moore, OK
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, fro I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”\Isaiah 41:10
I’m a bit late signing up as I just heard of it from my siesta, Lindsey, but I’m in! “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God.” 1 John 3:21 NKJV
I want to begin!
My first verse: John 15:5 “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.
from Bloomfield, NJ
Psalm 27 (13-14)
I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
NIV
Franklin, Tn.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
Isaiah 43:5
Psalm 90:17
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands. NKJV
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight
Proverb 3:5-6 NIV
Glyndon, Md
You crown the year with Your goodness and your paths drip with abundance.
Psalm 65:11
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. NIV
Proverbs 3:5, 6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight. NIV
Just found your site and would love to join the
“Scripture Memorization Team”
I’m starting with
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Cor. 1:3-4
I am excited about scripture memorization and keeping it in my heart. Thank you for your gift of organization and helping to make the word REAL in my/our life/lives.
Grace, Topeka, KS
I memorized Ephesians 6 during a week of church camp in junior high. I really feel like God is leading me to memorize the whole book this year – half a chapter per month. Here’s some encouragement from a verse I already have in my head: “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” – Heb. 10:35-35
“Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in you.” Psalm 16:1
The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Psalm 34:7 NKJV
Cathy, LaGrange, GA – Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
11 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.