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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chrissie, Elizabethtown, KY “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” Psalm 5:11 ESV
An E-town Siesta! Here in Louisville holding onto the Word!
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Lisa Pauls, Lake Jackson, 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 â€29‬:â€11‬ NIV
Crystal from Hattiesburg, MS
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘love your neighbor as yourself'”. Galatians 5:14 NIV
Sally Molenaar DeMotte, Indiana BEHOLD God is my helper, the Lord is the upholder of my life. Psalm 54:4 ESV
Lindsey Panousis, Tallahassee, FL
Psalm 34:1 AMP
I WILL bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Alicia from Jacksonville, AR
Commit to The Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.. — Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Lisa, West Des Moines, IA “He prayed, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!” 2 Chronicles 20:6 (NLT)
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you;my peace I give to you;not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled,nor let it be fearful.
Shannon, St. Peters, MO – “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
“He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3 NIV
Marci, Pinellas Park, Florida…
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.'”
Genesis 1:26 NAB
Deb Harney – Columbia City, IN – “Do not conform 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, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 NIV
Melissa Jenkins, Pensacola, Florida,
Teach me your way Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness ; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name! Psalm 86:11 (NIV)
Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19 (HCSB)
Angel Stovenour, Brentwood TN. Therefore since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, ARM YOURSELVES also with the same mind. 1 Peter 4:1 NKJV
I’m Sarah currently from Anderson, SC.
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 desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)
Amy, Knoxville, Tennessee, “Let your speech always be with grave, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Colossians 4:6 NKJV
Concord, GA
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 NIV
Emily Ardolf Cottage Grove, MN
“For me, living is Christ and dying is gain.” ~Philippians 1:21 HCSB
Brandy Ruthruff Kalamazoo Michigan Matthew 6:19-21 NIV Do jot store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves so jot break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. I’m enthralled with the book 7 by Jen Hatmaker right now.
Kyleigh Raleigh, NC “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
Jackie, Prospect, KY “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 43:19 NIV
Tisha, Pilot Mtn, NC
For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:16 ESV
Rebecca M, Clifton, NJ. “For the Lord comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.” Isaiah 51:3 ESV
Julie Dunham, Johnston, Iowa. “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does The Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8, NIV
Dana Britt
Louisville, Kentucky
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17 NIV)
Lisa Hamilton, Kingsport, TN – “Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being praise His holy name.” Psalm 103:1 NIV
Patricia Meier, Crofton,MD “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” 1 Peter 5:10 NIV
Philippians 3:13b-14 NIV
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.
Janie Mehaffey, Zanesville, OH: “Mark a life of discipline and live wisely; don’t squander your precious life. Blessed the man, blessed the woman, who listens to me, awake and ready for me each morning, alert and responsive as I start my day’s work.” Prov. 8:32 (MSG)
Rachel Howie, Salem, IN
Psalm 19:14 NLT
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Stephanie from Tonasket, Wa
“Great peace have they who love your law and nothing can make them stumble” Psalm 119:165 NIV
Huntington, IN
Lamentations 3:22 (NIV)
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassion never fails.
Tracy, Wausau WI – “the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” Psalms 147:11 (NIV)
Terrie Taylor, Pensacola,Florida ” We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. ” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 ESV
Brenda, Williamsport, In, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” II Tim. 1:7 NIV
Teri Heikkila, Grand Rapids MN
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13 NKJV
This verse has sustained me through the toughest times in my life.
Valerie Acee, Clarence Center, NY – Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. Ephesians 5:1-2 NASB
Deidre Lail, Hickory, NC
“When I said, my foot slippeth, thy mercy, O Lord, help me up. In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.”
Psalm 94:18-19 KJV
Bridget L, Goodyear, AZ
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Angie Gates, Wiggins, Mississippi
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
Philippians 2:13, NIV
Jennifer Abercrombie, Cordele, GA “If then we have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2. ESV
Allison, Mishawaka, Indiana, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,” ~Psalm 103:2~ ESV
Shelagh, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK, “And because you belong to Christ you are complete, having everything you need.” Colossians 2:9-10 ERV
kathy from leesville,la Jeremiah 17:7-8 But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream . It does not fear when heat comes, its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. NIV
Katy Kloosterman, Holland, Michigan
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 43:19 NIV
Stephanie from Wadsworth, Ohio
May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.
Colossians 1:11 ESV
Patiences Teague, Madison, AL
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 (NIV)
Psalm 23:1, ESV
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.