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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May you be strengthened with all power, according to His gloriouss might, for all endurance, patience and joy.
Col 1:11
ESV
Sonya Fitts Conway, Arkansas
He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”).
Mark 5:41 NIV
Margaret, Flagstaff, AZ
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
Heather A. Cullman, AL “You don’t know what will happen tomorrow. What is life? You are a mist that is seen for a moment and then disappears. Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and carry out our plans.” (â€James‬ â€4‬:â€14-15‬ GW)
LeEllen, Nashville, TN
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5, NIV
Laura Sutherland, Alexandria, AL
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-18 NIV
2 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV Rejoice always,pray without ceasing,in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
I hope this is the right place. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:23
1 Corinthians 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ESV
Lerato Thelejane, Johannesburg, South Africa
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Psalm 91:2 KJV
Caroline Oleinik, Huntsville, Texas. Phillippians 4:11″not that I am speaking of being
In need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” English Standard Version
Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Tameko ~ Cedar Hill, TX
And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive , if you have faith.
Matthew 21: 22 ESV
Long Beach Ca
Jeremiah 33:3Amplified Bible (AMP)
3 Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).
Megan Bollman, Fargo, ND
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law. Psalm 119:18 NAS
Maaike den Boer, Krimpen aan de Lek, The Netherlands.
‘Maar de vrucht van de Geest is liefde, vreugde en vrede, geduld, vriendelijkheid en goedheid, zachtmoedigheid en zelfbeheersing. Er is geen wet die daar iets tegen heeft.'(NBV)
Bridget Patterson, Kennewick, WA “let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit,but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” philippians 2:3 NKJ
Sue Stingu, Troy, MI. The unfolding of your words give light; it gives understanding to the simple.
Psalm 119:30. NIV
Arise, shine for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
Isaiah 60:1
NIV
Kat
Edmonton, AB Canada
“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad.” Proverbs 12:25 (amp)
Happy new year! Clare Huntley, Vicksburg, MS
Deborah Braz, Lemoore, CA
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 NIV
Susan, Waddy, KY
Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Ruth Garrett, Aledo, Tx
I can do all this through Messiah who strengthens me.
Philippians 4: 13–Tree of Life Version
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 (grieving the death of my son) Donna Wright, OKC, OK (NIV)
Praying for you sister (HUGS)
“Yes, Lord, walking in the way of Your laws, we wait for You; Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.”
Isaiah 26:8 (NIV)
“She is clothed in strength and dignity;she can laugh at the days to come”. Proverbs 31:25 NIV
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 1 Corth 4:2 NIV
Patti Sherman, Inverness, FL. 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. (â€Jeremiah‬ â€29‬:â€11‬ ESV)
Hogansville, GA
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
Philippians 4:5
NIV
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NLT)
I love this reminder. Even though, the year may change and all things around me change, Jesus Christ remains the same.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. NAS
Mary Jo Wheeler, Las Vegas, NV. “Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you know how you should respond to each one.” Col. 4:5-6 NASB
Jolene, Oconomowoc, WI, “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
Alana Schmidt, Montreal, Quebec. “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27, NLT
Laura Webb January 1, 2015
Waxahachie, Texas
Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. ESV
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be constant in prayer.
Yet (s)he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his(her) faith and gave glory to God
Romans 4:20 NIV
Cheryl Tolbert, Oneonta, AL
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done.
Philippians 4:6(NLT)
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
Rachel, Atlanta, GA
Psalm 51:6 ESV
“Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.”
Beth, TN
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it
2 Timothy 3: 14 NIV
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
lake Tapps, Washington state
Denise Walker, Franklin Tennessee
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB)
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
Jennifer Massingill, Malakoff, Texas
“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
Isaiah 43:1b. Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name;you are mine.
Kim Walker in North Wilkesboro, NC
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 2 Timothy 2:24 NLT
Katie A., Fuquay-Varina, NC. “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 (NLT)
Sue Johnson, Wellington, FL. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 NIV
Happy New Year