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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Becky Aldridge Lakeland Fl
And the Lord he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee:fear not, neither be dismayed.
DEUT 31:8
Sandy Winslow, Santa Clarita, California. “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”(â€2 Peter‬ â€3‬:â€9‬ NASB)
Psalms 42:11
Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?…
Isaiah 43:19a NLT
Norfolk, VA “So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper;I will not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6. NIV
Alissa; Lexington, SC:
“Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths.” Psalm 25:4 (NIV)
Ephesians 4:23 NLT
Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
Anita D. Sparks, NV “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 and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you”. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Amy Wiley, Pueblo, Colorado: “Forget the former things, and do not dwell on the past. See I AM doing a new thing; now it springs up. Do you not percieve it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams through the wasteland.”
Deanne in IL…goal is to memorize most (all?!) of I Peter this year. Beginning with I Peter 1:3 NIV
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (v. 4: and into an inheritance that can never perish , spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you)
Kim Perry, Burlington, Iowa. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 ESV
Carrie Alden-Franklin,PA
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation: Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?
Heather, NC:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Psalm 100:5 (NIV)
For The Lord is good, His love endures forever. His faithfulness continues throughout all generations.
Kimberly North- Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho
“But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears”. Psalm 18:6 nlt
Elizabeth Ruby-Cunningham, Fredericksburg, VA
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1 NRSV
Sherri, Murrysville, PA
For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
James 2:13 ESV
Diane Morgan, Mesa, AZ. “He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.” Psalm 18:19 ESV
Jessy Perzel, Lakeville, MN “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.” Romans 12:9 NLT
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. Isaiah 43:19 NIV
PAM, Greenwich, CT.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 ESV
Samantha, Houston NLT
2 cor 5:17 this means that everyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun
Doris Ann of Manchester, GA. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” John 1:1 KJV
Michelle, Sydney, Australia
“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
Teena, Cypress, TX “To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” ~ Ephesians 3:19 NKJV
Dawn White, Chesterfield, SC. Moses: 16 “But watch out! Don’t be seduced, so that you turn away from the Lord. Don’t abandon Him to worship other gods or bow down to them!” Deuteronomy 11:16, The Voice.
Jenn, Medford OR
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. James 1:2-3 NASB
Teresa, Fort Worth, TX – Â Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (AMP)
Karen, Spruce Grove, AB
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV
Gretchen Sawyer, Tomball, TX “Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:8 ESV
Klara – SĂŁo Paulo SP – Brazil
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ” Philippians 4:4-5 (NIV)
Gwen, Fairmont, WV
“Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.” 1 Timothy 4:15 ESV
I am the vine; you are the branches.If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit apart; from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Sharon Curfman, Owasso, OK
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Lindsey Edwards, Hutchinson KS
23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. (â€Lamentations‬ â€3‬:â€23‬ NLT)
Ecclesiastes 7:8-9
The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit. Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools. (
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 Diana K
Aguanga, CA
Dana Mazyck Greer, SC and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephecians 3:19 NIV
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him Nahum 1:7 NIV
Judy~ Elim- Poland
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:1(NIV)
Ann Robertson, Shelby, Oh
Isaiah 40:31- 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.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1
Jennifer Goodwin from Collierville, Tn (near Memphis)
“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 10:17 (ESV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6, ESV
Linda Morrell, Lafayette, Oregon, “But as for you [Linda] do not grow weary in doing good.” 2 Thessalonians 3:13, NKJV
Renee Walker, Hershey Pa.
Isaiah 40:28
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
Hana Parr, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Eph 2.10 NIV
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Sally, Omaha Ne
2Cor 1:20
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.