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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gayle Sahlin, Mission Viejo, CA
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Pam Cross
Durham, NC
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ,” Ephesians 1:3
Peggy K
John 14:27 NLT
I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
Jeannie Patz from Coleman, Wisconsin aon January 1, 2015 1:59pm
“We live by faith, not by sight.” NIV
This past year and a half has been the most “unexpected” journey of my life…our 29 year old son passed away, leaving his 25 year old widow behind. They were married 10 months. This verse has special meaning for 2015…walking the unexpected road requires faith. Help me Jesus! 2 Corinthians 5:7
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19 KJV)
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews 11:3
Madelin Butler, Thousand Oaks, CA
Deuteronomy 2:2-3 ESV
Then the Lord said to me, You have been traveling around this mountain country long enough. Turn northward
Michelle Wengerd, Winchester, Virginia “Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:2-3 NLT
Precious Zuma, Rep of Ireland ” As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him. (Colossians 2:6)
Jennifer, Aberdeen, Washington. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 NIV
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.
Lisa Glenn – Isaiah 64:4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
Bailie Wells ~ Lenorah, TX
Have I not commanded you? Be strong & courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Venetia, Meriden, KS… Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 MEV
Melissa, Cincinnati, OH. 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
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 know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good an pleasing and perfect his will really is. Romans 12:2 (NLT)
Isaiah 30:15
This is what the Almighty LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: You can be saved by returning to me. You can have rest. You can be strong by being quiet and by trusting me.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-3
Chris Harder Plain City Ohio
IS 43:19 NAS
Behold, I will do a new thing, NOW it shall spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.
Olivia wells from Kauffman Texas
The elder,
To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth-
And not I only, but also all who know the truth
2 John 1
Mary Ellen from Barboursville, WV: “So now I am giving you a new commanndment: Love each other. just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” John 13:34
Amy Fleeker, Grand Junction, “This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.” Psalm 119:50 ESV
Cynthia H. Waters; Statesboro, GA; “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (â€Philippians‬ â€4‬:â€6‬ ESV)
Raquel Davis – Monticello, Ms
Romans 8: 38,39 KJV
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Tammy, Greenville, WI Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn again in repentance to the Lord. Lamen tations 3:40 NLT
Sharon Warren
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all our ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
Natalie Dawes. Calgary, AB, Canada.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. Phil. 4:8 (NIV)
Sharon Stalker, Hershey, PA
You did choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you might go and bear fruit- fruit that will last- and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
John 15:16 NIV
Sara Heitmeyer, Lima, Ohio
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30 NIV
And who knows that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion? Esther 4:14b
Melissa, Shreveport, LA
“God is within her, she will not fail; God will help her at break of day.” Psalm 46:5 (NIV)
Gatlinburg Tn. Psalm 51:7 KJV Purge me with hyssop, and i shall be clean: wash me, and i shall be whiter than snow.
Beth Spring, Texas James 3:17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Liz Richmond, Midland, TX
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
Jami from Greenville, SC
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (â€2 Timothy‬ â€1‬:â€7‬ NLT)
Kind words heal and help, cutting words wound and maim.
Proverbs 15:4
Elk River, Minnesota
Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is an appointed time for everything, And there is a time for every event under Heaven.
Peg Suveg, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, “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
Suzanne Watkins from Canton, GA
Jeremiah 24:7: “I will give them an heart to know Me that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people and I will be their God; for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.”
Holli Facundo, New Caney, TX
“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.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
18 “Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
19 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.
Sheila Sullivan, Searcy, AR: We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Chrst was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4, NIV
Merel Magill, El Monte, CA
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (â€Romans‬ â€8‬:â€28‬ NIV)
Andrea ~ Grant,Ne
Isaiah 43:19 ESV
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Linda Goepper, Wilmore, Kentucky, “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.” Psalm 139:1 NIV
What an encouragement to see this verse!
Thank you.
Christine Norman
Kim Hedelund, Chesapeake, VA
Psalm 55:22 NIV
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.
Judy Stewart, Houston, TX
But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ – Philippians 3:13b-14 NKJV
Diane Kranz, Sugar Land, TX: Be still and know that I am God.
(Psalm 46:10 NIV)
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 (NAS)
I felt very strong in my faith until it was tested (and continues to be tested) in even bigger ways. I am praying hard to not give in to fear or doubt, but to always have hope and faith. I looked up hope and it said “desire accompanied by expectation”. Previously I thought of it as desire. Now I want to consider it to be accompanied by expectation. God bless all of you! Thank you for joining me on this journey. Thank you Beth!! You radiate Jesus’ love to us!! I love you!!