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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“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.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Ana French, Broken Arrow, OK
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you Col 3:16a (NASB)
Psalm 91:2 NLT
2) This I declare of the Lord:
He alone is my refuge,my place of safety;
he is my God, and I am trusting him.
Lindsay Henderson, Victorville, Ca. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.
Psalm 51:10-12 NIV
Christi Allen, Northport, AL
“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness.With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT)
Jana – Elkins, AR
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I think toward you, saith The Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Michelle Guernsey, Corydon, IN
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” Colossians 3:16a
Gipsy, MO 63750
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” Romans 8:35 KJV
Kim Watson, Baytown, TX
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
3 Your beauty should not consist of outward things [like] elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold ornaments or fine clothes.
4 instead, [it should consist of] the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very valuable in God’s eyes. 1 Peter 3:3-5 Holman Christiian Standard
Becka Boggess, Tucson, AZ
“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. 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 desert. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€18-19‬ NKJV)
Jennifer Lane from Grand Rapids, Michigan “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 NIV
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 KJV
Elyse Jacobson, Highlands Ranch, CO. Isaiah 43:19 (NIV) See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness & streams in the wasteland.
Kellye Newby, Oklahoma City, Ok
A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.
Proverbs 25:28 NLT
Jennifer, Westfield, IN. “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26, NIV
Michelle, Portage, IN
“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10 NLT)
Tabitha Abele, Millbrook, AL – “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 â€41‬:â€10‬ HCSB~
Psalm 16:24. Pleasant words are like honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones
Alison Williams, Brisbane, Australia ‘And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.’ Romans 8:28 NKJV
Jessica, Huntington Beach Ca “But Ruth replied: Do not persuade me to leave you or go back and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people and your God will be my God” Ruth 1:16 Holman Bible
Lynn Hildenbrand, Easton, MD
“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
28610 Ivy Brook
Jodi, Sundown TX, Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (â€Philippians‬ â€4‬:â€6-7‬ NET)
Jenny Schmidt, San Jose, CA
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the GLORY of God. 1 Cor 10:31 NIV
Adriane, Parker, CO
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 ESV
Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom Psalm 90:12 NASB
Angelia, Cabot, AR. Search for the Lord and for His strength; continually seek Him. 1 Chronicles 16:11 NLT
Philippians 4:4. Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS. Again I will say, rejoice! NKJV
There are many devices in a man’s heart, nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.
Proverbs 19:21. KJV
Tiffanie Graham, Erath, Louisiana. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
Mary McGowan, Asheville NC
Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
Rev 21:5 NKJV
Donna Mckenzie, Tacoma Wa.
Lamentations 3:23 says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.”
Psalm 1:1-3
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the paths of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; bit his delight is in the law of the Lord. And on His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth it’s fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not either: and whatever he does shall prosper. NKJ
Heather Allen, Spartanburg, SC
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure.It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others.It is full of mercy and good deeds.It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18 NLT
Let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith Galatians 6:10 KJV
You crown the year with your good blessings, you leave abundance in your wake. Psalm 65:11 NET Bible
“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)
Heather Finlay from Ashland, Ohio – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 ESV
1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Melanie Grant, Clayton, NC – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Janeth O’Dell, Neoga, IL, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” Ephesians 3:16, NIV.
Vicki Jarman, Salisbury, NC The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalms 145:18 NIV
For as he thinks in his heart.so is he. Proverbs 23:7
Ashlyn Bowen, Pendergrass, GA ” I love you, Lord, my strength.” Psalm 18:1
Shenita Terrell, Tampa, FL
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon 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. ”
Psalms 91:14-16
Terri from Houston TX. Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
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.
Grace,Abuja,Nigeria. ” For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”Romans 8:15 NKJV
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2 NAS
Katie Rodriguez, Brooklyn, NY
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8 (TNIV)