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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Christy, Cape Girardeau, MO. Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14 (NIV)
Fran Stewart, Wylie, Texas “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you receive the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry “Abba Father.” Romans 8:15 NKJV
Sheila Olson, Rosharon, TX
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 NIV
My flesh and my heart may fail but God is my strength and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 NLT Mary Port Hueneme,CA
Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run;
hurry and scurry puts you further behind. Proverbs 21:5 msg
Terri McKeever, Katy Texas But Lord, You are our Father. We are like clay, and You are the potter,Your hands made us all. Isaiah 64:8 (NCV)
Penny, Big Spring, TX ” You will call upon Me and pray to Me, and I will listen. And you will seek me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jer. 29:12-13
Kimberly Bush, Kearney, NE
“Create in me a pure heart, oh God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me”
Psalm 51:10 NIV
Merissa, Calgary, AB: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1: 2-3 (NIV)
Phillippians 1:1-6
Jennifer Miller Glendive, Montana
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
MaryLou Rode Coldwater, Michigan.
Ephesians 3:20-21(NIV)
“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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
“” For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts
Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV
Katie, Columbus, Ohio
“Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.” Isaiah 43:18-19 MSG
“Lean on trust in and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. Proverts 3:5 AMP
Gina, Orange, Tx
Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be continuous in prayer.
Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Him who gives me strength
Now to Him who is able to do more immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power at work within us. Ephesains 3:20 NIV
Gail Jordan, ABQ, NM
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
Dena, Fort Wayne, IN
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5 NIV
Andrea Sevierville, TN. “This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your Word has revived me.” Psalm 119:50 NASB
To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Proverbs 21:3
Joy Cox, Conway, AR
“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; And God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13. NASB
Kayla Wiseman, Roanoke, VA
“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” Psalm 86:11 (ESV)
Sandra Ruder, Hillsboro, Kansas. “But He gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, ‘God opposes the proud but favors the humble.'” James 4:6, NLT.
Jennifer, Shelburn IN
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful and will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you will be able to endure it.
1 Cor 10:13 ESV
Jamie Braddy Hope Mills, NC
Proverbs 9:10 (NIV) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11.
Jean Ann Luker, Hope, AR
Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. 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. Isaiah 43:18-19
Janet Mobley – Denison, Texas
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV)
The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God ,and I will praise Him; my father’s God ,and I will extol Him. Exodus 15:2 ( NASB)
Jo Cochran, Leesburg, Georgia ” never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians. 5:17 – 18 NLT
Kimber Perrotta, East Hampton, CT
“So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.” 2 Timothy 2:10 NLT
Susie Vaughan, Knoxville, TN
“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 a hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11, NIV
Amanda Greene Palm Bay, FL. ” Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10 NIV
Galations 3:13-14
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Fort Gibson, OK
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. (â€Psalms‬ â€25‬:â€4-5‬ NKJV)
Alicia L. Clinton, Balch Springs, TX – “My (son) daughter, pay attention to what I say, turn your ear to my words.” Proverbs 4:20 NIV
I am The Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27 NIV
Jenny Buttler, Austin, Texas
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 making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Kristie Terpstra, Montgomery, TX. We wait in hope for The Lord; He is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20 NIV
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Romans 8:6 (NLT) “So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”
Cindy Bell, Maylene, AL
All scripture is God-breathed is is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God will be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
Cindy Turner, Deming, NM
Even every one that is called by My name: for I have created him for My glory, I have formed him; yea I have made him. Isaiah 43:7 KJV
Ps 28:7 NLT The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
Psalm 91:7-10. A thousand May fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand but it will not come near you!You willingly observe with your eyes and see punishment of the wicked. If you say, The Lord is my refuge, and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.
Erin Hildmann, Englewood CO, “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” Ephesians 3:17-18 (NIV)