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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Martha, Milan. IN. So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health, and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and annoint him; this is the one.” 1 Samuel 16:12. NIV
Romans 15:13 NIV “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.”
Susan Lowry, Dover Ohio – 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. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€19‬ NLT)
The GRACE of the Lord Jesus Christ and the LOVE of God and the FELLOWSHIP of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Corinthians 13:14 ESV
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who live it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18:21a
Mary Beth Yarbrough, Sugar Land, TX “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€19‬ KJV)
Stacy from Welland Ontario
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you…..
Janet Norwood, Lenoir, NC, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
James 1:2-3 NIV
Pam Rogers, Sheridan, MI
Matthew 17:20 NIV
He replied, “Because you have so little faith, I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Ephesians 1:4-5
4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will– Jennifer Burrell Thompson’s Station Tennessee
“Call on me & I will answer you & tell you great & unsearchable things you do not know” Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Kennewick,Wa. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV.
Virginia, San Pedro, CA “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the spirit of sonship (adoption). And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father'” Romans 8:15
Susan McVey from Carthage,MO.
Psalm 118; O Give thanks unto the Lord;for he is good; because his mercy endureth forever. King James
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
Cynthia -Massanutten VA
Yes, Yahweh, we wait for You in the path of Your judgments. Our desire is for Your name and renown.
Is 26:8
http://Www.268generation.com
Kim from Loganville, Ga
I am working on learning Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Cartersville, Ga. But I say. Walk by the Spirit. And you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 NASB
Brothers,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, Philippians 3:13 NIV
Jackie, Tampa, Fl. “Be thankful in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess 5:18, NLT
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27, NIV
Barb Salzer, Liberty, MO “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23 ESV
Ivey Beierle, Avon, In, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Amy McAteer-Jones, Weddington, North Carolina, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has passed away; behold the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Janaga Trotter, Denison, TX
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 NIV
Jay Shauf, Highland Village, TX
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesia
Stacy W. Fairbanks, AK “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, we’re sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1: 13-14
Leslie Armstrong , Madison , Mississippi ” For as a man thinks within himself , so he is ” Proverbs 23:7 NASB
Linda Thacker, Richmond, KY
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Ephesians 3: 20, ASV
Sheryl Kirk, Stigler, Oklahoma “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV
Marla Richardson, Bryan/College, TX
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, Unto him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Ephesians 20-21. KJV
Kelly, Mustang, OK
I am about to do something new. It is beginning to happen even now. Don’t you see it coming? I am going to make a way for you to through the desert. I will make streams of water in the dry and empty land. Isaiah 43:19 NIRV
Karen, Mooresville NC
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (â€Colossians‬ â€3‬:â€16‬a ESV)
Alisha
Lake providence, louisiana
John 15:5
I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. Esv
Laura Manahan, Oklahoma City, OK: Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track.
Stephanie Farmersville, TX
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.
“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
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 HCSB
Shelli, Glen Allen, VA “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”(1 Peter 5:7) NLT
Joan Dicker, DeWitt, MI. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
Ela from Olive Branch, MS says, “May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 ESV
Jodi, Perth, Western Australia
Habakkuk 3:19 AMP
The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!
Cindy Taylor, The Woodlands, TX
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
Beth Lewis, Story City, Iowa
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
Romans 5:1-2, NKJ
Laurie S., Omaha, Nebraska, “Be still, and know that I am GOD;” (NIV)
LaToshia – Charleston, SC
Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. (â€Jeremiah‬ â€15‬:â€16‬ ESV)
Vanessa Brown, Anderson, South Carolina. “Those who hope in the Lord will not be disappointed.” Isaiah 49:23 NIV
Kametra, Washington DC,
Psalm 119:11 NASB: Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against you.