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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lisa Taylor, Blue Ridge, VA
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Cor. 1:3-4 NIV
Amanda from Siloam Springs Ar “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians‬ â€5‬:â€17‬ NLT)
June Middleton, Springfield, MO, “You shall eat the old harvest, and clear out the old because of the new!” Leviticus 26:10 (NKJV)
Mimi Westbrook, Snellville, GA – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV
Libby, trinity, tx “therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another” Ephesians 4:25 NIV
Kandern, Germany
Friend, don’t go along with evil. Model the good. The person who does good does God’s work. The person who does evil falsifies God, doesn’t know the first thing about God.
3 John 11 The Message
Mary, Hockley, TX
Have your roots in him. Build yourselves up in him. Grow strong in what you believe, just as you were taught. Be more thankful than ever before. Colossians 2:7 NIRV
Dana. Atlanta, GA
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatian 6:9 NIV
Ginger, Watkinsville, GA – Do not conform to the pattern of this 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
Psalms 4:8 NKJV
I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord , make me dwell in safety.
Pamela Wilmington NC “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self discipline.” 2 Timothy 1
6 – 7 NIV
Sandy Powell from Burkesville, KY
NLT “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”
PSALMS 119:105
Allison, Santa Maria, CA “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.” James 5:7 (ESV)
Missy, Austin AR–“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16 NASB
Renee, Morgantown, WV: “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37 NIV
Jocelyn, Gallipolis Ferry, WV
“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.”
Isaiah 43:19 NLT
Tammy , Vilonia AR
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. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€19‬ NLT)
Tara Halt, Warren, MI
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Lori Goins, Monroe, Mi Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.Psalm 51:10 NIV
Jane VanOsdol, Westfield, IN “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” Acts 4:30 NIV
Isaiah 43:19 “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.” ESV
Mary Margaret
Madison, MS
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. (â€
saiah‬ â€43‬:â€19‬ NLT
Jennifer Mosher, Canfield, Ohio. Revelation 19:5 ESV
And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants,you who fear him,small and great.”
Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. NIV
Debbie Haramzian, New Port Richey, Fl
” The Lord replied,” My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14 NIV
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalms 119:105 NLT
Leah Madden, Ruston,La . Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, Colossians‬ â€3‬:â€23‬ ESV
Kim Abbott, Mabank, TX
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Brandy, Port Neches, Tx
“But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. The will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31, NLT
Tammy Brinkley, Monroe,Ga.
“and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life.” Deuteronomy 30:20 NIV
Lisa from Huntsville, AL
An appropriate verse for the day…to remind me to use speech wisely in 2015:
Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel. – Prov. 20:15, NIV 84
Lynne Priestley, Belfast, Northern Ireland
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.
Isaiah 43:19 NLT
Joy West Monroe, LA “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.” Psalm 1:1 NIV
Gina McCullough, Olathe, KS “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3: 5-6 NAS
Shannon, Springdale,AR
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, Romans 8:1 NIV
Colleen, Cape Town, South Africa
Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually!
1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV
Emilie, Ft. Rucker, AL.
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”- Galations 1:10 ESV
Joy Gayle, Pearland, TX: “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Col 1:10-14, NIV
Courtney Click, Raleigh, NC “(6)Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (7) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phillipians 4:6-7, NIV
Jas Gill, TC Texas, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!” Malachi 3:10, NLT
Carie Faulkner, Stanford, Kentucky
Trust in The Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
Paige Faulkner
Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Proverbs 30:5. (ESV)
Denise, Gardners, PA
“God’s kingdom isn’t a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness’ sake. It’s what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy. Your task is to single-mindedly serve Christ. Do that and you’ll kill two birds with one stone: pleasing the God above you and proving your worth to the people around you.” Romans 14:17-18 (MSG)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
St. Louis, MO 63010
Carrie Dodson, Baton Rouge, LA
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” (â€2 Corinthians‬ â€4‬:â€16‬ ESV)
MiChal Hall, College Station, Texas — “Then He opened their minds to understand the scriptures.” — Luke 24:45 NIV
Taylor, Augusta, GA
For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “yes”) ascends to God for his glory.
2 Corinthians 1:20 (NLT)
kelly anne, greenville, nc- Psalm 27:13 NIV – I remain confident of this:I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
“Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3 NASB
Melissa, from Shinnston, WV: “Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. (â€1 Thessalonians‬ â€2‬:â€8‬ NASB)”
Karen Green – Brandon, Florida
I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13. HCSB
Gina Rosamond, Ca
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 NASB