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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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. (NIV)
Ellen Skill, Mechanicsburg
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13, NLT
The Lord is good a stronghold in the day of trouble and He knows them that trust in Him. Nahum 1.7
Joanne, Vista,CA: Hebrews 4:16 (NIV): 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!
Pam B from Lincoln, Ne: Take delight in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Darlene Tremblay, Turner, Maine
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself . There is none other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:30,31 (KJV)
Doodle, Plano, TX. “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” Proverbs 12:25, NIV
Maxine, Armona, CA
He also taught me, and said to me:
“Let your heart retain my words;
Keep my commands, and live (Proverbs 4:4 NKJV)
Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all what we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us.
Ephesians 3:20 CEB
Jeremiah 29:11. For I know the plans I have for you saith the Lord; plans to prosper you & not to harm you, plans to give you a Hope& a Future
Romans 8:28 For we know GOD works ALL things for those who love him and are called to his purpose.
Susan, U.K.
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 NASB
Kristi Baker, Orangevale, CA – “But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.” 2 Cor 2:14 – NIV
Jasmin Montgomery, Hereford, AZ. “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
–Luke 1:45 NIV
You are to be holy to Me, because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own. Leviticus 20:26
Susan Bostaph, Buffalo NY “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” Proverbs 29:25 ESV
Lacey, Hayden, CO
Psalm 90:17 NKJV
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands.
Pam Tucker, Fairhope, AL. “From the end of the earth will I call unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2, ASV
Phillippians 4:6 & 7 Don’t worry about anything instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. If you do this you will experience God’s peace which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your heart and mind as you live in Christ Jesus.
My plan for this year is to memorize all of Psalm 139, one verse every two weeks.
Psalm 139:1 (NKJV) – For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known [me].
Psalms 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart❤️
I was invited to this blog site by a sister in JESUS…
Katrina Brindley Niagara Falls,Ny
“Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea” psalm 46:2 NIV
‘Dit is mijn besluit, dit is mijn plan met jullie: Het zal goed met jullie aflopen, niet slecht. Ik zorg dat er voor jullie een nieuwe tijd komt. Ik zal jullie nieuwe hoop geven.’
Jeremia 29:11 ‘Bijbel in Gewone Taal.’
Sarah – Sacramento
Ex. 15:13 ” In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.” NIV
Karen Comeaux,La Vernia, Texas, “By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain”… —1 Corinthians 15:10
Elizabeth Harper, Laurel,MS
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Mathew 5:16
Missie Ables
Marble Falls, Texas
“For I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.” 2 Timothy 1:12 ESV
For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. Hab 3:2
engelien bos, bunschoten, nederland
psalm 84:3 bgt
Ik verlang naar Uw tempel levende God.
Met heel mijn hart wil ik bij U zijn.
psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you
Donna Salter, Monroeville, AL
Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts ad minds in Christ. Philippians 4:5-6 NIV
Andrea, Fort Worth, TX
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” Hebrews 11:6 KJV
Teresa Hatcher Lee, James 1:5 HSCB
Now if any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.
Victoria, Decatur, Alabama. Romans 12:12 ESV – Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Lori Maasen, Dardenne Prairie, Missouri: “But from there (serving gods of wood and stone – vs. 28) you will seek the LORD your God and you will find Him, if you search after Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” ~ Deuteronomy 4:29 (ESV)
Janine, Sydney, Australia: For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Amy Linwood,PA
Job14:16
Surely then you will count my steps, but not keep track of my sin.
But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.
Micah 7:7 NASB
Tara Mangrum, Monett, MO. 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. Isaiah 41:10 KJV
Laura Cooney, Arthur, NE
Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8. RSV
Casey, Henrietta, TX
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Michelle Hicks, Franklin, TN “The heavens declare the glory of God, the sky proclaims the work of His hands.” Psalm 19:1 HCSV
Melody, Westminster, MD
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Michelle Stinson, Clayton NC
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” Isaiah 43:18 NIV
Rachel L. from Cincinnati, OH
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Christy Port Charlotte, FL
Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. NIV
Becky Mims, Midland, Texas “In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.” Psalm 33:21 NIV
I was invited by a sister in Jesus to this site.
“But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works.” Psalm 73:28 (NASB)