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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jacksonville IL “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8: 18 NIV
Genia Quinn, madison, ms
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ESV
Maria Parry. Jacksonville, Florida. “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” (â€Isaiah‬ â€26‬:â€3‬ NKJV)
Isaiah 41:13 (NIV) For I am the Lord your God Who takes hold of your right hand & says to you, “Do not fear. I will help you.”
Sherry Fisher, Almo, KY “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.” 1 John 3:1, NLT
Jamie, Simsboro, Louisiana
“But those who hope 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 be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Allison Willingham, Bethany,OK, “Do not conform any longer 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 and perfect will.” -Romans 12:2 NIV
Taylor Collingsworth, Brentwood, TN.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:34, NLT
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.
Lamentations 3:22-23 (these two verses just go together.)
God is so good every day!
Kendra Huckabee, Seymour, Texas “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
Shonda from Tacoma, WA
2 Chronicles 20:12 (NLT)
“O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”
Deuteronomy 10:20-21 NIV
Fear the Lord your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. He is the one you praise; he is your God who performed for you those great and awe some wonders you saw with your own eyes.
Lori, Tremont, IL. “The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.” Habakkuk 3:19 NKJV
Melana Cummings, Sheridan Wyoming
Psalm 32:7 NIV
You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
A good woman brings good things out of the good stored up in her heart, and an evil woman brings evil out of the evil stored up in her heart. For the mouth speaks what yhe heart is full of. Luke 6:45 NIV
My reminder of how I speak to my husband and children.
Rachael, Memphis TN
You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. Psalm 119:114 (ESV)
Chasity Boisclair
Tuscaloosa, AL
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.
Marsha Bauldry, Knoxville, TN
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Colossians 4:2 (NIV)
Cindy, Fort Worth, TX
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (â€Philippians‬ â€4‬:â€8‬ NIV)
Kaitlin, Newberg, Oregon
“Forget about what’s happened;
don’t keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 MSG
Pat Jackson
South Bend, Indiana
Philippians 4:19 KJV
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Jennifer, Wichita Psalm 34:6 NIV This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
January 1, 2015 verse…”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.” Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Carrie Horton, North Chesterfield, VA Proverbs 3:3 NIV Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Melissa Cope~Crystal City, Missouri~ Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
Leigh, Flowood, MS “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that that they might see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 ESV
Anne Thompson, Pella, IA, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 NIV
Trixie Pratt, Arcanum, Ohio
Exodus 15:2 (NKJV)
The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord. Ps 27:13
and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: you should mind your own business and work with you hands, just as we told you. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 NIV
Cheryl Prall, Dallas Center, Iowa
Heather Marasco, Easton, MD: “I consider that our present suffering are not worth comparing with the glory that we will be revealed in us.”
Romans 8:18 NIV
Joni Luciano, Bradenton, FL
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;they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 KJV.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path.
proverbs 3:6
Romans 5:2 AMP
Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God’s favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God.
Debbie P., Campbell, CA
You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
James 2:22 (NIV)
Ashlee Jones, Johnson City, TN “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” ~ Colossians 1:17 (ESV)
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all mailice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Eph 5:31, 32 KJV
ephesians 4:31-32
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander along with every form of malice.
NIV version
(Is it evident what I’m trying to work on in the coming year? Big smile.)
Angel Varney
Knoxville, Tennessee
Christina Faulkner Panama City, FL: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here. 2 Correct 5:17 GWT
To a new year, a new beginning
Alicia Parker, Edgewater Fl “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.” Jeremiah 15:16 NIV
Gwyn Tidwell of Haslet, Tx
“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10 (NIV84)
Scarlett Malone, Fairhope, AL, “Give to everyone that asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.” Luke 6:30
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 have lol uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10.
Kimberly, Lancaster, PA
Pam Thompson, Augusta GA
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,” (â€2 Timothy‬ â€2‬:â€24‬ ESV)
Lissa, Flowery Branch, GA “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phillippians 4:6-7 ESV.
Kim Walila, laurel, mt “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” 1Peter 2:9 NKJV
Camille Belknap, Lewisville, TX
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
1 John 4:4 AKJV
Beth V. Sugar Land, Texas
“He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 ESV
Kelly, Clayton, NC. “All scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
He shows us who we are and what changes are needed, with HIS help of course 🙂