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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bethany from Orlando, FL. “Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!” (â€Philippians‬ â€4‬:â€4‬ AMP)
Leslie, Decatur, TX
In the same way, let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Matt 5:16 Holman Christian Standard
Grace Strube, Olympia, Washington “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘yes’ in Christ. And so through Him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV
Maria – Kingston, PA Jeremiah 29:11 NIV. 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.
Robin McCartney Rockwall, TX
“For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.” Ephesians 2:14 ESV
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 43:19 ESV
Julie Gresham-Jackson MS
Philippians 4:4 NIV. “Rejoice in The Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Lauri Gulotta, Eau Claire WI: “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters, and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance.” Is. 55:1-2 NASB
Kirsten, Boones Mill, VA. “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” Psalms 105:4 NIV
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Ephesians 6:18. NIV
Carrie Donnell, Tallmadge Ohio. Romans 15:13 “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.” ESV
Emily Kelley, Webb City, MO
“Make me know Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For you I wait all the day.” Psalm 25:4-5, NASB
Karin, Westborough, MA
II Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (NIV)
Cindy Jones, Miller MO. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Julie, Springfield, IL
“I waited patiently for the Lord, and he inclined to me and heard my cry.”
Psalm 40:1
Mela from Winnipeg MB, Canada
Isaiah 42:3 NIV
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice
Janna Antigha- Tulsa, OK
II Timothy 2:19-
But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”
Sarah, Wheaton, IL – “You have put rmore joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.” Psalm 4:7
Angela, Los Gatos, CA. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” James 1: 2-3 ESV
Michelle Hobbs, Mystic, CT. “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 hops and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Charlotte K. from Northumberland, PA
Psalm 95:6-7a (King James Version)
O come let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.
Looking forward to this! Love you, Beth!
“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
Traci Patterson, Sugar Land, 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
Beth B., San Antonio, TX. “When Moses went and told the people all the LORD’s words and laws, they responded with one voice, ‘Everything the LORD has said we will do.'” Exodus 24:3 NIV
Shannon McGann, Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada. “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 and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19, NLT
Daniela Elliott, Abingdon, MD
New Spirit Filled Life Bible
Psalm 91:4
He shall cover you with his feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
Gayle from Katy, TX. For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of The Lord, to please Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; (Colossians 1:9-10)
Kristi, West Palm Beach, FL
“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.” (â€Colossians‬ â€1‬:â€9‬ NLT)
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV
I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Psalm 17:6 NIV, Terri Biloxi, MS
Lana Hougham Enumclaw WA, Heb 12:12-13
Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.
Sharon Perdue from Vilseck, Germany
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever, is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, thing about these things. Phil. 4:8 ESV
I think that is going to be my next verse.
Jane Sharp, Lascassas,Tn,
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 KJV
Choosing joy! “Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9 NKJV
Janet Caldwell, Katy, Texas
Therefore, since wE have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV
“All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correctly and training in rightiousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Psalm 143:8 NIV
Lori Edney
Vicksburg,MS
So be very careful to love The Lord your God. Joshua 23:11 NIV
Doneita, North Carolina : He who dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the almighty. Psalm 91:1 NKJV
Kalyn, Athens, Tx.
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (â€Zephaniah‬ â€3‬:â€17‬ NIV)
Becky Van Verst, Bend OR
Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin that clings so closely and run with endurance the race that is set be fore us. Heb 12:1 ESV
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers they shall not overflow you, when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. Isaiah 43:2
I love this scripture verse: on December 6, 2009 I lost my son, my only child who was 35 years old from a tragic accident, my dad three months and three days later on March 9, 2010 on May 4,2010 the doctors found that my husband had a widow maker they did surgery on him the next say, they said he would not have been here in June if he hadn’t went to the doctors, on May 14, 2010 my uncle passed away two days later my sister’s husband passed then in November of 2010 I went blind in my right eye having to have surgery then two years ago last October 2012 I went blind in my left eye requiring surgery thank God I can see! Through going through all this my precious Savior has walked me through it! Oh how I love him and praise him for being here for me!
Debbie McIntire, Colleyville,TX.
“Then the Lord said to me, ‘You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north.'” Deut. 2:2-3
NIV
Melissa Robbins, Gallatin, Tennessee
Lord, I have heard of Your fame; I stand in awe of Your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them know; in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk 3:2, NIV
Rebekah, Athens, OH. “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.” – James 1:22-23
This is a great reminder to myself of doing God’s word and not just listening!
Myrthe kok, Lelystad, the Netherlands (Europe).
“wees over niets bezorgd, maar vraag God wat u nodig hebt en dank hem in al uw gebeden” [NBV]
Be still and know I am God Psalm-46:10
Vivian, Birmingham, Alabama
Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
Diane Enloe, Dothan Alabama, says “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV