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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
J. Chen, Renton, WA
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
“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
Angela Hall from Spokane, WA:
“May Yahweh bless you and protect you; may Yahweh make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; may Yahweh look with favor on you and give you peace. In this way they will pronounce my mame over the Israelites, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:24-27 HCSB
Jana in Amarillo TX
1 Timothy 1:19a. Cling tightly to your faith in Christ and always keep your conscience clear, doing what you know is right. The Living Bible
Christi Hice, Birmingham, AL. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NIV
Bethany Brewster, Brownstown, Indiana
“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.”
Proverbs 16:24 NKJV
Pam Yoder, Benson, NC. “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in Heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25 NIV
Lisa Voetberg, Chehalis WA
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him Eph.1:17 NKJV
Margaret Bagley, Hurst TX, Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (â€Isaiah‬ â€41‬:â€10‬ NLT)
Renee Roth ~ Cathedral City, California
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in The Lord his God. He is the maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them, The Lord, who remains faithful forever! Psalms 146:5&6
Kim – Katy, Texas
For nothing will be impossible with God. Luke 1:37 (ESV)
Is 43:19
Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert.
Kamie Feagle Keystone Heights,FL
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 KJV
LaRay from Richmond, VA
“..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 NIVUK
I chose to being the year with this favorite verse. We had a dear friend die in the last week and I need those eagle’s wings!
Jessica McCall, Oklahoma City:
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. -Galatians 1:10 NIV
Amy Goins, Hot Springs, AR
and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV
Allison from New York
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.
-Eph. 3:20
Margie Suder, Fairmont, WV
“The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unriighteous under punishment until the Day of Judgement.”
2 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
Ephesians 1:18
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,
Kyra Davis, Fortville, IN
“As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.” Psalm 71:14
Rena Sites from Noble, Oklahoma:
Oh taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Psalm 34:8 ESV
Sandy Powell from Burkesville, KY
“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalms 119:105 NOT
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Billie Hainsey, North Richland Hills, TX. “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Psalm 16:11 (NLT)
Denise Dixon Stewart (Lagrange, Ga)
Psalm 91:2 NKJV
I will say of the Lord,”He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him will I trust.”
Esther Wallis East London South Africa Philippians (NKJV)
4:13Â I can do all things through Christ[a]Â who strengthens me.
Jennifer Henderson, Raleigh,
“Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.” Psalm 118:19, ESV.
Florence, South Carolina Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am working a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43: 18-19 NIV
May God open our eyes to His presence!
Kim Penix, Monroe, MI “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalms 119:11 NIV
Brenda Parrish, Lubbock, TX
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
2 Corinthians 4:16-17
I love this scripture!! Thank you for sharing this! God Bless You!! -Allison 🙂
Aimee Hughes, Shreveport, LA
Job 19:25 NIV
I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
Eileen, Bensalem, PA
“You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:13
Tara Duty, Canton, TX
8 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)
Maggie Mackriell, Blantyre, Malawi.
Colossians 3:1-2 (GNB)
‘You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right-hand side of God. Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth.’
Hannah West, Boulder, Colorado
“I will praise You forever, Because You have done it; And in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good.” Psalm 51:15 NKJV
“do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Eph 5:30 NIV
Randi K.- Kearney, Nebraska
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4 NIV
Kaycee Dotson Clinton Township, Mi
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrew 4:16 KJV
I was young, and now I am old, but I have never seen good people left helpless or their children begging for food. Psalm 37:25
Alyson Watkins, Wake Forest, North Carolina. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 ESV
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
You will seek Me and you will find me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jer 29:13 ESV
Carole
Richmond, TX
“so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I have desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Isaiah 55:11 NIV
Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
17.so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Becky Harris, Groesbeck, Tx
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NIV
Melissa DeWitt, State Center, IA
“For with you is the fountain of live; In Your light we see light. Psalm 36:9
(NIV)
Trista Boaz, AL
When You said, “Seek My Face,” my heart said to You, “your face O Lord, I will seek.” Psalm 27:8 New American Standard.
Holly Simeone, Orlando, Florida
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Col. 3:12 NIV
Aimmi Adams, La Russell, Missouri
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Philippians 2:3 ESV
Judy from Willow Spring, NC. James 1:12 ~ Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. NIV