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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Susie Mann, Oxford, Georgia. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Tina- Richmond, TX
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 NIV
Lynette House, Vandervoort, AR
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NKJV
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. Psalm 145:13 NIV
Gena Burnett, Fresno, CA. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heartand lean not on your own understanding;
Tricia, Los Lunas, NM.
Jeremiah 29:11
11 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.
“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 ESV
Doris from Madison, MS:
“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” I John 3:18. KJV
Margie from Jackson Mo. “Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees . Job 4:4
Jamie, Spring City, Tennessee “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.” (â€Isaiah‬ â€41‬:â€10‬ NIV)
Jefferson, GA Jeremiah 29:11 NIV For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Tara G.
Sherwood, AR
When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom. (NIV) Proverbs 11:2
“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
Roberta, Coldspring, TX
In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Thess. 5:18. KJV
Lora M., Holly Springs, NC
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14 ESV
Annet van Ballegooijen, Linschoten, the Netherlands
Jesaja 41:10 (HSV): Wees niet bevreesd, want Ik ben met u, wees niet verschrikt, want Ik ben uw God. Ik sterk u, ook help Ik u, ook ondersteun Ik u met Mijn rechterhand, die gerechtigheid werkt
Lisa Welch, Katy, Tx
“for I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Jennifer W, Portland, OR
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.” Lam 3:22-24 NIV
Holly Buckland – McCalla, AL
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 NIV
Heather Watson, Edmond, OK,
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 🙂
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (â€John‬ â€15‬:â€5‬ NIV)
Want to memorize scripture
Colossians 3:1-4 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
DeLene Gilbert, Garland, Tx “For by grace you been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” Eph 2:8 ESV
For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isaiah 43:19 NLT
Kristi, Houston – “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
Cindy Barrera•Las Cruces, NM
Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. KJV
Meredith Clark – Newnan, GA
Do not conform to the pattern of the 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, perfect will.
Romans 12:2 NIV
1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV)
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Rebecca Clark- Afton TN
Dawn Hogan, Indiana
Believing-prayer will heal me, and Jesus will put me on my feet, And if I have sinned, I’ll be forgiven -healed inside and out. James 5:15 The Message
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 ESV
Maryville, Tennessee
” For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11, NIV
[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly]… Philippians 3:10a The Amplified Bible
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good! His love endures forever!
Psalm 131:1
Gretchen Burket – Windber, PA
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:2-23 (ESV)
Holly Ellis, Simpsonville SC
2 Thess 3:2-3 (ESV)
That we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
” I sought the Lord, and he heard me,and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalms 34:4 KJV
Kenora, ON. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 NIV
Christy Denton Texas. just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28 NASB
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:4 NIV (Bowling Green, KY)
“Oh Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2 NIV
Crystal Kelley, Greenwood IN, “And we know thT God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” -Roman 8:28 NASB
Kristina Roybal – Rio Rancho NM
The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Ecclesiastes 7:8 NIV
Samantha Watson, Windermere FL
I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs. (Isaiah 41:18 NIV)
Colo., Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Psalm 37:3-4, 7a
Courtney Rohloff, Morris, MN. “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” 1Peter 5:10 NIV
Linda W., Tomball, TX “Jesus said to them, I am the Bread of Life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35 ESV
Matthew 28:18-20 ESV then Jesus came to them and said,”all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations. Baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to obey all I have commanded you. Surely I will be with you till the end of the ages.”
Cathy Porter, Hot Springs, AR
“So do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded.” Hebrews 10:35 NIV
A mans heart plans his way, but the lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9