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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nikki- Edinburg, Tx
1John 2:17 and the world is passing away along with its desires but whoever does the will of God abides forever. I want a lot !!! This is a reminder for me to set my mind on the things above starting out this year. My fleshly desires desire along with this world are going to pass away. As I plan my new year with all of my desires (trips, itinerary, money goals, baby havin,my kid’s stuff work stuff etc) I want to make sure that through it all im planning to DO his will!!
Wichita, KS “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
Nita Seymour from Littleton, Co.
Matthew 6:24 NIV
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Candy Perry, Lawrenceburg, Ky
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
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 cmy righteous right hand.
Daytona Beach
“Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25) (TNIV)
Tiffany, Port Charlotte, Florida
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 NLT
Paige Hyde, Lubbock, TX. “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.” Psalm 9:10 NLV
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. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€19‬ NIV)
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Kathy Lamastra, Paulsboro, New Jersey. “You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall” Isaiah 25:4 NIV1984
Lori Philp, Laguna Niguel, CA 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” ESV
Allison Huffman, Houston, TX-
“The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. …..the Lord your God has been with you and you have not lacked anything.” – Deuteronomy 2:7 (NIV)
Maryanne Krueger, Scottsdale AZ–Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Jenn H
Wellington,FL
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, (â€2 Timothy‬ â€3‬:â€16‬ NIV)
Richland, Missouri
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6, KJV.
Cheryl Klosinski, Stevens Point, WI.
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7 NIV
Heidi Worthey, Moreland, GA All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; (â€2 Timothy‬ â€3‬:â€16‬ NASB)
Krista, Austin Texas
1 Peter 5:10 (NASB)
After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
Cristy Andrews, Prattville, AL: 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 was going to be my starting verse, too! Praying that we have eyes to “perceive it” and a heart to receive it! Blessings!
Grace, love it!! Praying for you now that you will perceive it!! So excited!!
Jaime Turner from Nederland, Texas
“I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.” ~Jeremiah 24:7 (NIV)
Kathy – Wichita, KS: Proverbs 3:5 NIV Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Amy, Greenfield, iN “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:12-13 NIV
Karla Burford Hebron, KY. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. (â€1 Corinthians‬ â€15‬:â€33-34‬ KJV)
Kim Drew, Franklinton NC
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, EPH 6:13 NTSB
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 NIV
Leslie Baker, San Angelo, Texas “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this, love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31
I learned this scripture many years ago while going through a tremendous battle in my life. To this day it comforts me.
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Revelation 12:11
Amy Dufrene, Pineville, LA “But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. “†Isaiah‬ â€40‬:â€31‬ NKJV
Marietta, Ohio – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (â€Romans‬ â€12‬:â€1‬ KJV)
Mary, Statham, Ga – Now to Him who is able to do exceedly abundantly above all that we can ask or think, according to the power that works in us, Him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20,21
Barbara Worley, Canyon Lake, Texas – “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, sure and steadfast, which reaches inside behind the curtain,” Hebrews 6:19 (NET)
Joy Fuller, Plano Texas – Hebrews 12:28-29 “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.”
Bend, OR
Romans 15:13
New American Standard Bible (NASB
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Doris Wright, Folsom, CA “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
Nancy, Athens, TN. Finally, my brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8 NKJV
Brianne Page, Sandpoint, Idaho: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
Becky Gross Midlothian, Il.
Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. ESV
Carol Stainbrook, Kimberling City, MO “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
Katie Hoercher, Boston, MA “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NET
Amanda, Goose Creek, SC
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7 NIV
Jenni, Otsego, Mn…I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye. Psalm 32:8 NIV
Judith Pinkerton, Tarzan, TX ~ For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord”, plans to prosper you & not harm you, plans to give you hope & a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Jennifer Sterk, Tehachapi, CA. “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
Cathy, Sierra Vista, AZ
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Uniontown, Ohio
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15 (ESV)
Susie Potter, San Clemente, CA “Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” Proverbs 21:21 NIV
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. Isaiah 43:18
Mary Watkins
West Memphis, AR
11 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)
Kelley, Alabama
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14. NIV
Kathy from Seneca, Illinois
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”