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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Carrie Davis, Missoula MT
Turn from evil and do good,
seek peace and persue it.
Psalm 34:14 NIV
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4.19. nasb
Jodi Kray, Cumming GA
Let me start by saying I have a word for the year – something that God has laid on my heart to work on this year in my life in SO many areas!! So that led me to this first verse:
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
Brittany Powell – Jayess, Ms
God is in the midst of her. She shall not be moved. Psalm 46:5a KJV
Char Manley, Marengo, IL – But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Lelia,Lima,OH Isaiah 41:10 Fear not,for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ESV
Lynnette Cantrell, Sherman, Texas, “Even in laughter a heart may be sad, and joy may end in grief.” Proverbs 14:13, HSCB
Ks-See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all 1st Thessalonians 5:15
Rachel Springdale,AR Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46
Samantha Ditchendorf, Mandeville, La
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are Gid my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5
Debbie Weaver, Cumming, GA.
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the majesty in heaven. Hebrews 1:3 NIV
Shannon, Ridgefield, WA
“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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13, NIV
Jennifer Robaczewski, West Salem, WI
So then just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7
Missy Smead, Leola, Arkansas
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 NKJV
Penny, Montgomery AL.
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:14 NIV
Robin. Atlanta, GA. Be strong and courageous. Do not be discouraged. Do not be afraid. For the Lord, your God, will be with you wherever you go. NIV
Anita Gray – Cabot, AR
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
Jennifer Madsen, Raleigh, NC
“Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.”
Proverbs 31:5 (ESV)
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. (â€John‬ â€14‬:â€12‬ NKJV)
Mel, Toronto Ontario, Canada
Isaiah 43:1-2 (NLT)
But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€1-2‬ NLT)
Stephanie Sekaz, Horse Shoe, NC; “He existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together.” Colossians 1:17 NLT
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthenth me. KJV
Deb from Loveland, CO
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11 (NKJV)
Brooke Walburg, Grand Rapids, Michigan:
Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalms 55:22, ESV
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick; but when dreams come true,there is life and joy.” Proverb s 13:12
Sandy Olson, Maud TX. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:26 KJV
I will praise you among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Psalm 57:9-10
Lauren Ellsworth, Virginia Beach, VA: “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” Nahum 1:7, ESV
Lisa Doss from Callaway, Virginia: “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
Tucson, AZ
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy.” Jude 1:24 NASB
Connie from Winchester, VA: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans for welfare, and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
Jill Newton, Moody Alabama
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
My first verse… Jeremiah 29:11. Nkjv .. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a Hope.
Patricia ~ Monroe, LA ~ Psalm 103:1 “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name!” Psalm 103:1 ESV
whitney
atlanta, ga
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. Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Felicia Everidge, Allen, Texas
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. Heb.4:16.niv
Natalie, Anchorage, Alaska
Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.
Psalm 43:3 NIV
Lori Butler, Turkey Creek, La.
And my God will supply all your needs according to His
riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4.19. nasb
Marion McBride, Batesville, MS
God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.
They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness!
I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left.
Lamentations 3:22-24 (MSG)
Marylee Hamblin, Nicholasville, Kentucky, “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.” Psalm 139:1 NIV
Austin, TX. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jerimiah 29:11 ESV
Philippians 4:6-7. HCSB
Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpassed every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
The Lord is the light and my Salvation, whom shall I fear! Psalms 27:1
Sandra L. Pampa Tx. Psalm 27:14 Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord. (Amplified)
We love because he first loved us 1 John 4:19 NIV
Michele Nance, Vancouver WA
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Denise Masengill, Morristown, TN “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalms 139:14 NIV
Cuyahoga Falls, Oh- Rev. 21:5,6 And he who was seated on the throne said,”Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said,”Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, ” It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.”
Joleen Cogburn, Santa Fe, TX “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV
Hebrews 4:16 NKJV: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need.”