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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Isaiah 25:1 NIV
Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.
Allison, Cave City, Ar. Proverbs 31:25
She is with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. NIV
Nicole Moore, Olathe, KS. “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians‬ â€1‬:â€17‬ NIV
Marqita Jones, Aurora, CO
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11 ESV
“Brothers and sisters, as I said, I know I have not arrived, but there’s one thing I am doing: I’m leaving my old life behind, putting everything on the line for this mission.” Philippians 3:13 The Voice
Happy New Year, Sisters!
Alicia Waterman- Lindale, TX Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
Amy
Decatur, Alabama
“Let the morning bring me the word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way that I should go, for to You I lift up my soul”.
Psalm 143:8
Nancy, Grovetown, GA
Proverbs 3:5 American King James Version (AKJV)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding.
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge
In him. (NIV)
Kim Davis, Lakeland, Florida – 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 desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
Parke Ridgeland, MS: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 ESV
Rita Anna, OH
Rejoice in the LORD always; again I will say, rejoice.
Philippians 4:4
Lucinda Gibson, Carrollton, GA
“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray tat you being rooted and established through love 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
Beth Andrews, Tallahassee, FL – “Ezra had determined to study and obey the laws of the Lord and to become a Bible teacher, teaching those laws to the people.” Ezra 7:10 TLB
Kezia Lewis, Krabi, Thailand “For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling. Isaiah 30:15 (ESV)
Katie from Greensboro, NC
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
Pam Vance,Broken Arrow, OK, Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, rooted and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude. Colossians 2:6-7 HCSB
Jami Johnson, Ponchatoula Louisiana. ” Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven– as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Luke 7:47 NIV
Melanie Hendry, Petal, MS: 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. Isaiah 43:19 ESV
“Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again. They are given eternal life for believing in me and will never perish.'” John 11:25-26 NLT
Karoletha Stone
Longview,TX
You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.
Acts 2:28 NIV
Heather Johnson, Minneapolis, MN. Finally brothers, 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
Molly Minter, Vidalia, Georgia: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (NKJV)
Tracie Burrow, Overland Park, KS: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works then these will he do, because I am going to my Father.” John 14:12 ESV
Brittany Watson, Marietta, GA
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” John 15:4 ESV
Itasca Broussard, Sulphur Louisiana
Proverbs 19:21 People can make all kinds of plans but only the Lord’s plan will happen. Proverbs19:21 NCV
Kelly W., Fowler CA
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.
Romans 12:1 (NIV)
Blaire Gallagher
Hebron, KY
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger calms a dispute. Proverbs 15:18 NASB
Raeann Charlevoix MI “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 NIV
Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (â€Psalm‬ â€73‬:â€25-26‬ ESV)
Valerie, Lewisville NC
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Denise Wiggins Decatur, IL
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you. Isaiah 26:3
Cindy Cabaniss, Shelby, NC. “Who among the gods is like You, O LORD? Who is like You–majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” Exodus 15:11 NIV
Bette Struck, Walker, MN, “Behold, I am coming quickly and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Revelation 22:12-13 NASB
Marsha Johnson, Irmo, SC “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 10:5 (NASB)
Rock Springs, Wyoming. as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. Phil 1:20 ESV
Linda from Evart, Mi. “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” NIV
Amanda from Wiggins, Mississippi!!
Isaiah 43:19 NKJ
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 DESSERT.
Charlita Brown, Carbon Hill, AL: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews‬ â€4‬:â€16‬ ESV)
Paige Hamilton (Lafayette, Louisiana): Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Rhonda Minot ,ND
We don’t cease to pray for you and ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will, in all wisdom and understanding.
That you may walk worthy of the Lord pleasing him. And being fruitful in every good work increasing in the knowledge of God.
Colossians 1:9-10 NKJV
Lisa from Abilene “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
Jackie, Versailles, KY
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV
Ashley, Statesboro GA
“My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:2 ESV
Rolanda Hairston, Ft. Worth, TX “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.” Psalm 143:10 NLT
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 nas
Ontario, CAN
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
Marsha, Whitby, Ontario
Now listen daughter, don’t miss a word … the king is wild for you. Since he’s your lord, adore him.” Psalm 45:10-11
Do not conform any longer 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
Keystone Heights, Florida
“For I The Lord thy God will hold thy right hand saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isaiah 41:13 KJV