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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Misty, Melissa, TX–“I pray the source of Hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NLT)
Felicia- Youngsville La
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Debbie from Indianapolis, IN “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the 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
Lacey
California
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.
Psalms 37:5 ESV
Carol Welch, Crystal Springs,MS “I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1 NKJ
Angie, Magnolia, Tx Jer 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you and I will tell you great and hidden things you have not known. ESV
Nona – Denver, Co
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you will be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16 Nasb
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
Kim L., Coloniel Heights, VA “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7 ESV
Psalm 62:1 NIV
Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.
Tracey, Weatherford TX
“For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I’m saying. Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, & I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit & also sing in words I understand.
1 Corinthians 14:14-15 NLT
Is this Tracey Byrd Haggard?
Cynthia – No Ma’am, but I certainly pray with you that she joins us. I may not know her personally, but our Father does.
Lisa, Wichita, KS
“Create in me a pure heart, oh God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me”- Psalm 51:10, NIV
Pattie, Eagle River, Alaska
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10, NIV
Simone, Centurion, SA. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (â€Galatians‬ â€2‬:â€20‬ NIV)
Blaine Tennessee
Give ear to my words, O LORD,consider my meditation. vs2) Hearken unto the voice of my cry, My King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. vs3) My voice shalt thou hear in the morning. O LORD: in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee and will look up. Palms 5: 1,2 & 3. Kjv
Listen to this, Job. Stop and consider God’s wonders. (â€Job‬ â€37‬:â€14‬ HCSB) Nicki S. Winona, MS:)
Lamentations 3:22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail!
Becky, Lawrenceville, GA.
“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;”
Psalm 63:1 KJV
Anne from shelby township, mich.
Peace I leave with you. My peace I now give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled neither let them be afraid.
John 14:27 NIV
John 1:1
In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. NIV
Peg – Zeeland, MI “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.” Proverbs 3:9 NIV
Brandi Tribout, Cape Girardeau, Missour. “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.” Romans 8:28 NIv
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8 NKJ
I chose this b/c “draw near to HIM” is #1 on my goal-list this year!
Debbie Farnsworth — Knoxville, Tn
“But I trusted in, relied on, and was confident in you, O Lord; Psalm 31:14 NIV
Kristina Patch, Bellbird Park, Queensland, Australia
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” Philippians 4:6 NKJV
Karen Graham, Broken Arrow, OK
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. 2Timothy1:7 NIV
Jane ~ Waukee, IA
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Amen!) – Psalm 19:14 NASB
Sunny, Las Vegas, NV
Ecclesiastes 5:19 ESV
Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil – this is the gift of God.
Ruth Baca, Modesto, CA Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV
Kathi Houtcooper from Phoenix,AZ “But all who listen to me will live in Peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” Proverbs 1:33 NLT
Andrea Thibodeaux, Carencro, LA
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (â€Isaiah‬ â€55‬:â€8-9‬ NIV)
Lindsey from Dubach, LA…”Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” JAMES 4:8a ESV
Christene from London, ON Canada
Isaiah 43:18-19 NLT
But forget all that- it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. 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.
“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.”
Isaiah 40:31 NASB
” Yet those that wait on the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” Marietta Ohio
Amanda Waters, Spring TX. Rejoice always, 1pray continually, 1give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 2 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
“For I know the plans I have for you, “says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Sherri Medford, Abilene, Tx – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your
God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Behild, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?…
Isaiah 43:19a
Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect. (Romans 12:2, NCV)
shawnee,OK
1 John 3:19-20
By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.
Cynthia Simmons, Mount Vernon, NY. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 NKJV
James 2:1 NKJV
My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock. (â€Isaiah‬ â€26‬:â€3-4‬ NLT)
Lebanon,TN.
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Philippians 4:6 The Message
Christy Willis, Cowpens, South Carolina 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
Julie Lohr, Gahanna,OH. For I know the thoughts I have for toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Proverbs 31:10-11 an excellent wife who can find? She is more precious than rubies. The heart of her husband trusts in herald he will have no lack of gain
Geri Las Vegas, NV “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
Tammy, Choudrant, La- You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 NIV