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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Debra, Madison WI “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” “The son of David,” they replied. (â€Matthew‬ â€22‬:â€42‬ NIV)
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. Psalm 3:3 NKJV
Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
Sharon Holmes from Palisade, NE His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3 NIV
Emily-Hulmeville, PA:
Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He. I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4 NIV
Taylor Masters, Fairmont, WV
“But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)
NIV
Rose Parker, San Antonio, Texas
I appea to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1, ESV
Gwendolyn, Mesquite,TX
Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. (â€Psalm‬ â€37‬:â€5‬ NLT)
Kelly Kitch, McKinney TX –Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18 HCSB
Jodi Busron, Zachary, LA
For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5
New King James
Psalms 51:10-13 NLT
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you.
Leanna, Trussville, AL
Ephesians 6:10-11 NIV
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Sue Shroyer, Fayetteville, TN “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16, NLT
Kathy Finch, Florence, AL. “This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is not darkness at all.” I John 1:5, NASB
Lindsay: Troy, IL –
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name.
He will call on Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him My salvation.” -Psalm 91:14-16 NIV
Michaela Langlais Elk River, MN
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
Jean Kaiser, San Diego, CA “At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father” Ephesians 5:20 (AMP)
Heidi Olszewski, Sachse TX “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,” Ephesians‬ â€3‬:â€20‬ NIV
Cori, Otis, OR – “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
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything , by prayer & petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding , will guard your hearts & your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7. 🙂
Sarah Ungerer, Queretaro, Mexico
He says,
“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 (NIV)
“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
Ps 91 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High. Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty, I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress My God, in Him I will trust NKJV
Gwen Grubb, Chillicothe Ohio
“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 NIV
Sheri Taylor, Hurricane, WV
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (â€Isaiah‬ â€41‬:â€10‬ NIV)
Cool to see another WV gal working on the same verse! 🙂 God bless!
Carol from Kansas City, Mo
Don’t remember these earlier events; don’t recall these former events. “Look, I am about to do something new. Now it begins to happen! Do you not recognize it? Yes, I will make a road in the desert and paths in the wilderness. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€18-19‬ NET)
what a great verse for the new year.
Karen Calhoun, Marietta, GA
I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you may go. Joshua 1:9 (NRSV)
“O Lord, You have searched me and You know me.” Psalm 139:1 NIV (there are 24 verses in Psalm 139. By the end of the year I want to be able to have this Psalm deep in my soul)
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, by in every situation,by prayer and petition,with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Rachael Rushing, Horn Lake, MS. “My soul followeth hard after the: thy right hand upholdeth me.”
Psalms 63:4 KJV
Ann Bailey, Vancouver,Wa – Therefore summit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7 NKJV
Crystal Dunlap, Elk Grove, CA
But the Lord says, “Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago.
Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already—you can see it now!
I will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there.
Isaiah 43:18-19 GNT
Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Tania Lange, Cape Coral, FL
Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God? Psalms 71:19 NLT
Melany Bustin, Sussex, New Brunswick
” Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Danielle, Anchorage, Alaska
2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Kelli Hartman, Lumberton, TX. “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? (â€Psalm‬ â€42‬:â€2‬ ESV)
Ally Tedrow, Spokane WA. =)
“And above all things have fervent love for one another for will cover a multitude of sins.” NKJV
Hebrews 12:1 NLT
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Amanda; Kernersville, NC – “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (â€Jeremiah‬ â€29‬:â€13‬ NIV)
Lisa,Harrisburg,Pa
Ps 104:33 esv, i will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
Miriam Rainwater, Portland, Oregon
As I begin a new year and semester of serving as Campus Minister to students at Portland State University, this verse encourages me in my teaching: “Now we have received not the spirit of the world but the Spirit Who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit…” 1 Corinthians 2-12-13a, ESV
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
Jeremiah 29:11-13New International Version (NIV)
11 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. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” 1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV
Cynthia Yazzie Clearfield, Ut.”Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given”.John1:16NIV.
Devon, Artesia,NM
“She does him good and not evil all the days of her life”
Proverbs 31:12 (nkjv)
Ephesians 2:10New International Version (NIV)
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Battiest, OK