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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Isaiah 43:18-19
18 Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Daytona Beach Florida Romans 8:28 For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His Purpose
Cecelia Stewart Tustin, CA “Do not conform 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
Sally- Barrington, IL “You have crowned the year with your bounty, And your paths drip with fatness.” Psalm 65:11
Linda O’Neill, Elk Grove, California
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (â€Isaiah‬ â€41‬:â€10‬ NLT)
Kayla, Plainview,TX
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he. Sy lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1Peter 5:6-7, NIV
Kelly Covington: Conway, South Carolina
I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. (â€Psalm‬ â€119‬:â€10‬ NIV)
For the whole law is complied with in the one precept. You shall love your neighbor as yourself, galatians 5:14
Melissa Hannigan, Houston, Texas
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” Col 3:12, NASB
Erin Boling- Denison, TX
“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.”
â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€18-19‬ NIV
Oh yes! I’m seeing this passage everywhere plus my mentor spoke this Word over me for this season. May God bless you through taking this Word to heart.
Patty Messenger, Norco, CA – “Create in me a pure heart, oh God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me”- Psalm 51:10, NIV
Becky Weber, Ridgeway, South Carolina. “Forget about what’s happened;don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,rivers in the badlands.” Isaiah 43:18-19, The Message
Hey Becky,
Just wanted to thank you for introducing me to this scripture memory challenge – I needed it! I’m memorizing Hosea 14:1-4.
Wanna go to the conference in TX in Jan. 2016? Dad said I could drive his big 15 passenger van, and we could get a bunch of SC, NC ladies to join us!
Tammy
Shannan ~ Victorville, CA ~ Isaiah 41:13 (NIV) “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand” and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
Vernell Labaj, Temple, Tx- “I know the plans I have for you, declares The Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Stephanie Davis Hastings, MN Psalms 103:1 ESV
1 Bless the Lord O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
Kimberly
Beachburg, ON Canada
“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” Matthew 6:14 NIV
Audra Devine ~ Alma, MI
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. (â€Psalm‬ â€143‬:â€10‬ NIV)
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10 a personal favorite. May you have a 2015 filled with doing His good work.
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever. Psalms 118:1 NLT
Angel Carpenter, Stockport, OH
1 Peter 4:8 ESV
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Loretta says January 1,2015. Proverbs 8:1 O Lord our Lord how majestic is your name in all the earth . you have set your glory above the heavens . Muleshoe texas
Rebecca C, NC, Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. I Peter 5:6, KJV
Lewisburg, WV. Your Word have Intreasured in my heart. Psalms 119:11 NASB
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3:3-4 NIV
Sandy Smith, Holiday, FL. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or
Imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Sarah, Hartland, MI.
“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.”
1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
Emily McCorkle, Knightstown, IN: Psalm 19:14 “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” NLT
Caitlyn Barber from Little Elm, TX
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (â€Romans‬ â€12‬:â€2‬ NLT)
Nicole from chicago, il. “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unreachable things you do not know. -Jeremiah 33:3 (niv)
Angela Hanson, Rockford, Illinois. “Peace I leave with you: my peace I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid”. John 14:27. ESV
Marie, WI Joshua 1:9 NLT This is my command- be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Trisha (San Jose, CA)
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Lorre Winter, Salem, Illinois. 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 a hope and a future. NIV
Hilory Parker, Harper, Texas
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. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3 NIV
Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant and His loving-kindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9 NASB
Teresa, Indian Trail, 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
Cheryl Manis from Dandridge, TN – “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 of need. “(â€Hebrews‬ â€4‬:â€16‬ NIV)
Cindi~Smyrna, Georgia
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’S purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21. NIV
Ann Wellmann, Lino Lakes, MN
“that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him” Ephesians 1:17
Sue Howard. Lamesa, TX
“Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” Psalms 116:7 NIV
Isaiah 43:19
Isaiah 43:18-19 NASB, “Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. 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.”
Emily from Loveland, CO
“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth.” Job 19:25 (ESV)
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
J.J. Molstad, Arlington, WA – Humble yourself, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. – 1 Peter 5:6
Laura, from Redding, CA. “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16 NLT
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Terri Howlett, Klemme, IA so God created human beings in His own image. In the image of God He created them semicolon male and female he created them.Genesis 1: 27 NLT
Blanche Wulfekoetter, Ozawkie, Kansas “Finally, be strong in The Lord, and in His mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10 NIV
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Emily – Knightstown, IN
Hartland, MI
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
Follow in the path of our Lord, he bring us great joys and if you are a follower the kingdom if God is your for all of eternity ~AMEN