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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Margaret Ann Weister, Pacific Junction, Iowa
O LORD, you examine me and know. Psalm 139:1 NET
Hannah, Mantua, OH
“I want to know Christ–yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like Him in his death…” Philippians 3:10
Looking forward to this. Romans 8: 16-17 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children and if children, also heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ–seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Judy, Farmington, MI
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? Psalm 27:1 ESV
Nancy Rhinelander,Wi:
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:23,24 NLT
Melody Link
Crystal springs, MS
Psalm 116:2New Living Translation (NLT)
2 Because he bends down to listen,
I will pray as long as I have breath!
Torri Whalen in Claremont Calif
Philippians 4:4 NIV Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice !
Susan Senechal, Fenton Mo “See, I am doing a neew thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making away in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 NIV
Raleigh,NC
Lead me in the path of your commandments for I delight in them. Psalm 119:35 ESV
Cindy Sentell Gallatin Tn,
“Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Romans 8:1. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”.
Praise God!
Julie Salva / Mt. Juliet, TN
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.” John 15:4 (NLT)
Paola Hernandez-Hoffmann, Pinellas Park,FL
James 4:15 ESV
Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
Matthew 6:25 – Do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will; nor your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Jeanne Harper, Douglasville, GA: “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 KJV
Vickie Ingle, Indio, CA Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 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 43:18-19
But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. NIV
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 5:31-32 NIV)
“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.” Jer. 29:11 ESV
Brady Bradshaw, Cedar Rapids, IA, “Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean revel in him!” Philippians 4:4 (Message)
Robin Andrew, Perry, OK. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
“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)
This is one of my favorite scriptures: It has helped me a lot this year. Hope this helps you ladies, too. Have a blessed New Year!!!!!!! Here it is:
II have strength for ALL things in Christ Who empowers me[ I am ready for anything and equal to anything through him who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].
(Philippians 4:13 , AMP)
Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 NIV
Love this, cant wait to be involved..
Amy Jo ~ San Antonio, TX~
But The Lord still waits for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion. For The Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for Him to help them. Isaiah 30:18 NLT
G. Michelle
Billings, MT
Ephesians 3:14-16 (ESV) For this reason I bow my knees before the Father from whom every family in Heaven and on Earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being.
Betsy Malin Anthon, IA
2 Peter 3:18New International Version (NIV)
18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
I am going to begin with the ending in mind and my Mew Years resolution to grow in spiritual intellect
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her! Luke 1:45 NIV
Lela Leman Waco Texas: “…I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. 2 Timothy 1:12b NIV
Christy, Allen, TX
Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.
2 Timothy 2: 22-23 NASB
Cindy, Ashland, Ohio
“……for the good hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.”
Ezra 7:9-10 ESV
Brandi Wesson, Deatsville, Alabama: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV
Karen from Raleigh NC. Romans 8:26-27. NIV. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
Jeanette Dahm LakeOswego, OR. Psalm 46:10. Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. ESV
Martha, Cocoa,FL
I have set the LORD always before me, because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Psalm 16:8
Angela Brattin, Fairview, MO
“For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard so that we do not drift away from it”. Hebrews 2:1 NASB
Molly Mason Asheville, NC
Hebrews11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (â€Hebrews‬ â€11‬:â€1‬ ESV)
Susan Hale
Dade City, Florida
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Carol Peavy, Jena, LA
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 12:28-29 NIV
John 14:27 NKJV- Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Michelle Wiger, Mooresville NC The Voice
I John 5:14 VOICE “We live in the bold confidence that God hears our voices when we ask for things that fit His plan.”
Marlene Bush, Hot Springs, Arkansas. “As the time approached for him to be taken up to Heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” Luke 9:51 NIV
Kimberly Barrett, Camden, Arkansas
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NIV
Pam from Ladoga, IN – “The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.” Deut. 28:8
“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west”
Psalm 103:12 NLT
Misty Tafao, Edmond,OK
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
Trena Pividal, Roanoke, VA
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2 NIV
Susan – Tyler, TX
“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love.”
John 15:9
NIV
Kim Johnson, Crawford, CO. “I press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers (sisters), I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3: 12-14 NIV