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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lisa Zink, Chickasha, Oklahoma
“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 NIV
Angela Barthauer, Hebron, KY, Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives because you had become very dear to us. 1Thessalonians 2:8 NASB
Cynetta Seekins, Tipp City, Ohio Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:3 ESV
Louisville, Ky. “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Psalms 37:7 NIV
Yay! Glad to see another Louisville Siesta!
Kim Kopp | Indianapolis, Indiana | “The LORD says, “Forget what happened before, and do not think about the past. Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening. Don’t you see it? I will make a road in the desert and rivers in the dry land.” {Isaiah 43:18-19 NCV}
Romans 12:2New International Version (NIV)
2 Do not conform 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.
Remembering this is so difficult to do…going to memorize it so I can be renewed and transformed.
Kathy Gleason, Newark, DE – “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. ” Lamentations 3:22-23, NLT
Karla from Nashville, TN
James 1:2-4 NASB
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Chris from Rowlett, TX
And all your sons will be taught of the Lord,
And the well being of your sons will be great.
Isaiah 54:13 NAS
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. ESV
Tracy, Sidney, Ohio
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:26 NIV
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)
Amber Moon, Lincolnton, NC – “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT)
Becky Adam, Overland Park,KS. Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey following it. Exodus 49:36
Gayla McKinney
Lee’s Summit, MO
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (â€1 Corinthians‬ â€13‬:â€7‬ NLT)
debra cowan | dallas, texas
“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. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€18-19‬ NIV
Tammy Embry, Athens, AL
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6. NLT
Stacy, Keller, TX
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13
Bethel, OH
John 1:1-2 (cause they are short) NLT
Cole Bozic, morgantown, West Virginia. You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 (NLT)
Belmont, ON “Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 NASB
Caitlyn, Leavittsburg, Ohio
For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:8 (NIV)
Pauline Ellsworth Glenmoore, PA Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3 ESV
TJ Hayes, Jacksonville, FL…Isaiah 40:31 NLT
31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense he has become my salvation.” Is. 12:2 NIV
Luke 1:45 NIV
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fufill his promises to her!
Laura, Flower Mound, Texas
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18 ESV
Beth Schreiner, Alvaton, KY
Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He won’t leave you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the Lord’s house is finished.”
1 Chronicles 28:20, HCSB
Kim H, Tipp City, OH
Phil 2:3
Don’t be selfish, don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. NLT
Becky Nelson, Whiteville, NC.
“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” Isaiah 59:1 KJV
Anna from Richmond VA
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” -Joshua 1:8 NKJV
Lisa in Punta Gorda, FL
“Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days – You would not believe if you were told.” Habakkuk 1:5 NASB
Michelle Bentham, Granbury, Texas – “Whatever comes to your mind, speak it, because the Holy Spirit will inspire it.” – Mark 11:13b (VOICE)
Kristen Jenkins, Lanett, AL “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!” Psalm 103:1 ESV
Kendra, Knoxville, Tennessee, -For the word of God is living and powerful, and Harper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit; and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 NKJV
Stephanie Harrington, West Plains, MO “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalms 16:11 (ESV)
Jill Avon IN
“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long”
Psalm 25:5 NIV
Heather, Tallahassee. But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11 NASB
Goodman, Mo. – In the day when I cried out, You answered me. And made me bold with strength in my soul. Psalms 138:3 NKJV
Peace I leave with you.
My peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and
do not be afraid.
John 14:27 (NIV)
Kristi , Sachse,Tx
lLet us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need. Hebrews 4:16 ESV
Kim from Wadena, MN: “For all scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2Timothy 3:16 NIV
Rita, Sevierville, TN
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Joshua 1:8 NIV
Shari Miller, Hobbsville, NC, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, that you may prove what IS that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Roman 12:2 (NKJV)
Melissa Ann Rodriguez, Brownsville, TX: If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Sarah Oltmans, Byron, Illinois
1 Peter 5:6-7. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. ESV
Sheilah – Melbourne, Florida
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV 1985)
brenda waterloo, ia
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:11,12
Brenda
Glad to see a W’loo girl! I’m in Elk Run. Praying for you as you put in His armor! Sue
Sandra Kacarka, Ira Twp MI, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NKJ
Sheila Morrison, Florence, MS 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