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) 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:
Your name, city, verse (written all the way out), reference, and translation.
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lisa Walton,Port Saint Lucie,Fl. “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus”.
Philippians 4:19 NIV
Ann Mihelic, Paso Robles, CA. “And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you.” The Amplified Bible
Bridgette, Hammond, LA
“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.”Philippians 4:8 NIV
Jamie Cook, Fort Worth TX
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.” Psalm 28:7 NIV
Krista Waitt, Denison, Texas.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. -Proverbs 31:26 NIV
Sara Wright, Midvale, Utah. ‘let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure waster ‘ Hebrews 10:22, NIV
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Jennine, Chandler, OK
Ephesians 5:1 ESV
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Psalm 121: 1-2 (NIV)
I lift my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from The Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
1 Corinthians 6:14 – NIV
By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.
John 13:7 “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” (NIV)
“But the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven.” Deuteronomy 11:11
Please like my page! 🙂
Lora Brobst – Hiawatha, KS: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
justine, Lees Summit, Mo.
Mt 6:25
Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink: nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Robin Wright, Longview, Texas. 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
Pam Williams, Olive Branch, MS
The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 NIV
Mindy Seekford Stonewall, La
So humble yourselves under the mighty power
of God, and at the RIGHT time, He will lift you
up in honor. 1 Peter 5:6 NLT ( caps added)
Linda Harris, Phenix City, AL – “Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Your speech should always be gracious and sprinkled with insight so that you may know how to respond to every person.” Colossians 4:5-6 CEB
Nadine Yoder,London,Ohio “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13 NIV
Psalm 91:9-10 NIV
If you say The Lord is my refuge and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will ever overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.
Michelle Daniel, Willard, MO
“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1 John 5:14
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Shelly Slagle, Mount Ulla, NC. ” My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name.” Malachi 2:5 ESV
Janie
Valera,TX
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies.
Psalms 103:1-4
Alex Flint, San Marcos, TX
2 Peter 2:19b, NASB
“…for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.”
Becca Hall, Tyler, TX. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
Debbie, St. Paul, MN
I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Psalm 17:6 NIV
Genesis 18:3 (NIV)
He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by.”
Dottie Moore, Houston, TX.
‘May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor, and give you his PEACE.’ Numbers 6:24-26 (TLB)
Jolie Reid, Tupelo, MS – Psalm 19:14 – May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Melinda Wiggins, Hermitage, TN
‘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.’ Philippians 4:8 NIV
Jean Shawnee, KS
John 3:17 NKJV
For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Tiffany Peterson from Jasper, TX
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 NKJV
Rachel, Farmington, MI, Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. (Romans 10:17 NIV)
DeeDee
Phenix City, AL
“The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God endures forever.”
Isaiah 40:8 NIV
Jennifer Shelton, Nassau Bay,TX Love The Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deut. 6:5 NIV
Becky, Cleveland, Tennessee
1st Thessalonians 5: 16,17,18
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. NASB
Barbara, Troy, Alabama
“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 God has my life in His hands. Praise God!
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. (Psalm 143:10 NIV)
But you are a choosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special pocession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. I Peter 2:9 NIV
Monica Pribe, Blacklick, OH- “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” Romans 8:1 ESV
James 1: 5 NIV
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should as God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1John 4:18 ESV
Sharon Fillinger, Brea, CA
Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT
John 15:5 I Am the Vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in Me and I in him will bear much fruit because without Me you can do nothing. I picked this verse because I want to stay in the Word this year and bear fruit.
Harriett. Elloree, SC
“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10 NIV
1 Peter 1:8 HCSB “You love him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy.”
Barbara L., Dayton, Ohio
May you be strengthened with all power, according to His gloriouss might, for all endurance, patience and joy.
Col 1:11
ESV
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14NIV
Stacy Martin Lampasas, 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 hope and a future.” NIV