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) Ā 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 ofĀ 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 areĀ 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:Ā
Your name, city, verse (written all the way out), reference, and translation.Ā
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 citizensĀ with the saints and members of the household of God.”Ā 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 householdĀ all we’ve got. Christ is so altogether worthy.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! One last thing before I say Go!Ā 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 upĀ on the SSMT informational comments. Ā 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. Ā I know it’s a bit complicated at first! Hang with it!Ā So sorry for your extra trouble!
Hey, I am so glad you’re doing this with us. So much love to you.
OK, GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gal. 5:6
Denise from Fairmont, WV
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.” -Isaiah 41:10 (HCSB)
Carol Oliver Claremont, California
Philippians: 4:4. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.
Psalm 143:8 NIV
Tricia McWilliams – Pittsburgh, PA
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” Philippians 4:6 NIV
7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
Psalm 32:7-8 KJV
Jessica Lynn, Madison, Al, ” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I know I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7, NIV.
Ria Hydrick, Anderson, South Carolina. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:12 NASB
Brenda McEachern, Shreveport, LA. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy, and find grace to help us in our time of need, Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Darlene from Barrie, Ontario: “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 makimg a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Karla in Leverett, MA
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:1 ESV
So then you are no longer foreigners and noncitizens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of Godās household, (āEphesiansā¬ ā2ā¬:ā19ā¬ NET)
Martin, TN
Jennifer, Bellevue, WA
Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
āBefore I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.ā
Then I said, āAh, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.ā 7 But the Lord said to me,
āDo not say, āI am only a youthā; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.ā Jer 1:4-8, ESV
therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV
1 Peter 1:15: 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;16 for it is written: āBe holy, because I am holy.”
Peter had such an arc as a disciple, and when he wrote this, he truly came into a great understanding of his faith. This is the kind of understanding I long for in starting my new year. ć
Sherri, Lebanon, Missouri:
Donāt be afraid, for I am with you. Donāt be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Revonda Russos, Raleigh, NC. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Cor 12:9 ESV
Cynthia Culver, Valier, Montana, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (āRomansā¬ ā12ā¬:ā2ā¬ ESV)
Jennifer L. Allison, Norfolk, Virginia
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus”
Galatians3:26 NIV
This is what the Lord says- he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters,”Forget the former things; do not dwell in the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a new way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:16, 18-19, NIV
Michelle from Wapakoneta, Ohio
Proverbs 16:3
“Commit your work to the Lord, then your plans will succeed.” NLT
Jody Campbell, Springfield, KY “Indeed, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.” Psalm 1:2 HCSB
Rebekah Martin from Foxworth, MS “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will stregthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJ)
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33 and 34 NIV
Rhonda Sperrey, Hermon, Maine
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Nicola – Toronto, Canada
But he said to me, āMy grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.ā Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christās power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
Steph Drew, The Dalles, Oregon
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Debbie Black, Beavercreek, Ohio
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9 NIV
Peggy C. Crews, Starke, FL
Psalm 119: 18
“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” (NIV)
karen, Cheney,WA
“All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 (NKJ)
Emma, Alaska. “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?”
1 Peter 3:13 ESV
Leah Norman, Little Hocking, OH
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)
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. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go amd pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29: 11-13
Tammy Powers, Lexington, KY
“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.” Psalm 37:5 NLT
Heather, Richmond, KY “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3: 16-17, NASB
Courtney Bosquez, Bryan/College Station, TX. “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” Psalm 28:7 NIV
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 NIV
For 2015 this is where I want to be in his shelter and shadow!
Kimberly Barrett, Camden, AR
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NIV
Erin B., Lorton, VA, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ” Colossians 3:1 ESV
Suzan Witter,Dordrecht,the Netherlands
Mijn plan met jullie staat vast āĀ spreekt deĀ HEER. Ik heb jullie geluk voor ogen, niet jullie ongeluk: ik zal je een hoopvolle toekomst geven.Ā Jer.29:11
Misty from Eagan, MN
“Joshua told the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.'”
Joshua 3:5 NIV
May the God of our hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in him,so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit
Romans 15:13
Christy, Louisville, KY
“He must become greater, I must become less.” John 3:30 NIV
Shelley, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Chris Craig, Seminole, Fl But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him, Jeremiah 17:7 NIV
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe. (āPsalmsā¬ ā4ā¬:ā8ā¬ NLT)
Lynn, Sioux Falls
“I command you–be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9, NLT
Lisa Neuenschwander, Grover Beach, CA.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Amelia
White Bear Lake, MN
Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery upon you.
Galations 5:1 (The Message)