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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anne Acker, Johnson City, TN:
“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.”
– Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Vicki Breedlove, Nixa, Missouri Psalms 27:1 NL ver..The Lord is my light and my salvation so why should I be afraid, the Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger..so why should I tremble.
“Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
John 6:68 NIV
Stephanie Greene, Knoxville, TN “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 NKJV
Glenda, Mt. Juliet, 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 hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Sheri Lilly, Dallas tx – Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you: My [own] peace I now give…to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 (AMP),
Betsy, Lansing, MI: For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord who has compassion on you. ESV
Peyton Head
Kilgore, Texas
“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26 NLT
Diane Lukes; RSM,CA
“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD.” Lamentatios 3:40 MSG
Kelly B. Spokane, WA Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer. Romans 12:12. NKJV
Valerie, Amarillo, TX. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV
Susan Orr, Houston, TX
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what please him. Philippians 2:13 NLT
Dawn in Monett, MO
Isaiah 43:18,19 NIV
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.
Karen Crivello,Alvordton Oh
“As the Holy Spirit says,” If you hear God speak today, don’t be stubborn. ”
Hebrews 3:7 GOD’S WORD Translation
Tenisha Brunetti, Las Vegas, NV. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.1 Peter 4:8 NLT
Darcy Sauer, Hercules, California
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” Psalm 28:7 ESV
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, by in every situation,by prayer and petition,with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
i waited patiently for the Lord He turned to me and heard my cry for help. He pulled me out of a horrible pit, out of the mud and clay. He set my feet on a rock and made my steps secure .
Psalm 40:1-2
GALATIANS 5:16 KJV THIS I SAY THEN ,WALK IN THE SPIRIT, AND YE SHALL NOT FULFILL THE LUST OF THE FLESH.
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. (NIV)
Starlett Baldwin, Albuquerque NM,
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Sunshine Unterwagner, Brunswick Ga
John 3:21 GNB
But those who do what is true come to the light in order that the light may show that what they did was in obedience to God.
Heather Chaput, Peterborough ON. “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household.” Eph. 2:19 NASB
NIV
Isaiah 43:18-19
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, in the streams and in the wastelands
Caralee Lilly, Edmonton, Alberta
Psalm 16:11 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
11 You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
Amy Gilbert, Cedarville, Ohio: “But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:25 NASB
Franklin Furnace, OH Acts 20:24 KJV ” But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”
Sarah Hamrick, Quanah, TX
Jeremiah 29:13 ESV
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. Psalm 3:3
Show me your faithful love this morning. I trust in you.
Show me what I should do. I put my life in your hands!
Psalm 143:8 (ERV)
The LORD of hosts has sworn saying, “Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand.” Isaiah 14:24 (NAS)
Phyllis, Ft. Worth, TX. “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” Romans 3:23 NLT
Terri Rountree, Whitewright,TX, “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
Miranda Houston, Tx Psalm 1:2 HCSB
Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.
Diana and Linnea (age 12) Waconia, MN
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!”
Psalm 103:1 ESV
Laurel (age 9) Waconia, MN
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.”
Isaiah 53:6 NIV
Amy Friedl, Beaver Dam, WI
“… But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)
Marble Hill, MO 63764
“The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 KJV
Debbie, Lancaster, SC “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1 HCSB
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 Roman 12:2 NIV
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
James 1:19-20
Mary Reed, Bartlesville, Ok. ” The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 7:1 ESV
Proverbs 28:13 – Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Fokelien Haije, Amersfoort, The Netherlands.
Psalm 119:105 (NBV) Uw Woord is een lamp voor mijn voet, een licht op mijn pad.
Marie Franse albuquerque, NM: This is what The Lord says: Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, or the strong man boast of his strength, or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am The Lord who exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth for in these things I delight, declares The Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV)
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
Yvonne Janicke, Lees Summit, Mo. “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:13 NIV
Barbara Stone,Springfield, Mo. In the day when I cried out, You answered me. And made me bold with strength in my soul. Psalm 138:3 nkjv
Angela Haar, Lexington, KY
“I have been crucified with Christ.
It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 NIV)
Ephesians 3:16,17a.NIV “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”
Susan
Locust Grove VA
Psalms‬ â€119‬:â€37-40‬ (NLT)
Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word. Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you. Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good. I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness.