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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.john15:4
Always be in th word to stay attached to Him or else we cannot survive.
Kerry, Nederland TX
Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
Psalms 15:1-2
Jenni, Peoria, IL
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:26 ESV
Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed and so not permit yourselves to be intimidated, fearful, cowardly and unsettled.
John 14:27 AMP
Kim Border, Granville, Ohio
Isaiah 43:18-19
18-“Forget the former things;do not dwell on the past.”
19-“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.”
T’Naya Edwards
Artesia, New Mexico
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (â€II Peter‬ â€1‬:â€5-8‬ NKJV)
Shauna Long, Cape Girardeau, MO
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14 NIV
Melissa Teakell, Wichita, KS
Deuteronomy 30: 11, 14 NIV84
Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.
No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, ghetto has scattered the proud in their conceit. LUKE 1:50-51. NAB
Peggy Maggio Fort Thomas, KY
Dawn Donnelly, Memphis TN “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess 5:16-18 NIV
mindy, spokane, Col. 3:23 NASB
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,
Anna- La Plata, Missouri
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14 NIV
patty williams, rock hill, SC. “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” 2 Corinthians 2:14 ESV
Galatians 6:8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
Donna, New Port Richey, FL
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 NLT
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. NIV
Susan, Fulton, MS, Proverbs 3:13-14:
“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than the gain from silver, and her profit better than gold.” (ESV)
Sharon Steer, Queensland, Australia. ‘You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You’ Isaiah 26:3
Stephanie – Cypress, TX
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 3:22-23 ESV
Courtney D. Landrum SC
For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ. Galatians 1:10 HCSB
Mindy White, McDonald, Tennessee. “And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22 ESV
Zechariah 13:9. This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, “They are my people, and they will say, “The Lord is our God.”
“Charlie” Louser, Cheyenne,WY: “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (â€2 Corinthians‬ â€5‬:â€17‬ NASB)
Kristi Coates – Bumpass, VA
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 a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV
But those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 Holman CSB
Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV
Carrie, Ft. Wayne, IN – “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Betty Murphrey, Wendell, NC
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
Sara Beth Terry – Montgomery, AL
“Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.” Psalm 34:5 (NLT)
Lucinda Culver, Wichita KS “Do not fret because of evil doers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers.” Psalm 37:1
Joanna Birchfield, Euless, TX “Finally, 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
Laurie Bowers, Bakersfield, Ca
Now all glory to God, who is able through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 NIV
Brenda, Lincoln, NE – “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.” NLT
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up
1Thessalonians 5: 11
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Jesus answered, I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes through the Father except through me. – John 14:6
This is significant for me in witnessing to others and reminding myself.
Cindy, St. Joseph, Mo. 1 Cor.6:19-20 “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”
Beth from spencer Iowa. One generation after another will celebrate your great works they will pass on the story of your powerful acts to their children. Psalm 145:4 the voice
Montana “He who dwells in the Secret Place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” Ps 91:1 NKJV
Diane Rippen – Roswell, GA
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation; He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,” Isaiah 61:10a ESV
Brooke Rosetti, Wiggins, MS
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (â€Isaiah‬ â€55‬:â€8-9‬ NIV)
Lisa Jones, Tecumseh MI
“Make Your ways known to me, LORD; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; I wait for You all day long.”
Psalm 25:4-5 HCSB
Mandy – PA – Ephesians 6:19 – Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the gospel. – NIV
God is my refuge and strength a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46. :1 NIV
Nicole, Canandaigua, NY – Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (ESV)
Susan Newton, Bigfork, Mt “Create in me a clean heart, O God. And renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 NKJ
Jane Amos
Clarks Summit, PA
“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
King James Version
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 My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Kim B. from Fort Worth, Texas
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”
Isaiah 55:1 NIV