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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Suzy Edwards – Smyrna, GA
O Lord, help me understand my mortality and the brevity of life! Let me realize how quickly my life will pass!
Psalm 39:4 (NET)
Peggy Arnold, Orlando, FL. “Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary. ” Psalm 96:6 NIV
Tina Hawkins ~ Graham, Texas: 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV
Chelsea McNary, Lima, Ohio
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
Luke 1:45 (NIV)
Laura Nelms, San Angelo, Texas
Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2 HCSB
“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
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalms 55:22
Dorie Thiessen, Hillsboro Kansas “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8, ESV
Robin Dubberly, Winston, GA
Isaiah 43:19
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. (NLT)
Marianne Gignac, Houston, TX
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
Becky, Covington,KY
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men”
Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
Terry, Granbury, TX, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10
Amanda, Century, Fl
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God.
PHILIPPIANS 4:6 KJV
Diane from Chesapeake,VA
“Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
YET I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
Habakkuk 3:17-18 NIV
Ps 1:6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. Not Julie Ethelsville Alabama
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:1-4 NIV
Kristen Vick, Columbia, South Carolina
“Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.” Isaiah 40:28 NIV
Maureen, Lexington, Kentucky
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
Laura, Minneapolis, MN. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” Psalm‬ â€122‬:â€1,‬ ESV
“Be joyful in hope, Patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 ASV
Teresa Looney, Tampa Florida “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NASB)
NIV. Jeremiah 17:9-10
Heather-Marion, IL
Psalm 143:8 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.”
“Get your minds ready for good use. Keep awake. Set your hope now and forever on the loving favor to be given to you when Jesus Christ comes again” 1 Peter 1:13 (NLV)
Denise Ramey, Cedar Park, TX
Do no be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:6,7 NIV
Matthew 6:34 (NLT)
So don’t worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will bring its own worries.
Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Naomi Stewart, Stanton, Tx ” Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and ny redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 ESV
“Bur God ~ so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us,” Ephesians 2:4 Amplified Bible
Susan Sampson, Houston TX, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes” psalms 37:7 NIV
Amy Brown, Gadsden, AL “Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.” Prov. 3:3,4 (ESV)
Cara, Oswego, IL. “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”” Galatians 5:13-14, NIV.
Carrie Beth Tigges, Frankfort KY “The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” (â€Exodus‬ â€14‬:â€14‬ NKJV)
Proverbs 16:20 (NET) “The one who deals wisely in a matter will find success, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.”
Susan Denton, Moncks Corner, SC. “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 will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalms 119:105 AMP
Alica Bischoff, Huntsville, Alabama, “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.”
Lisa Knight, Farmington, NM
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 New American Standard Version
Martha, Asheville, NC
“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your Word.” Psalm 119:114 AMP
Kim Hudspeth, Henderson, 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
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Donna Walters, Hartsville, SC. “Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” 1Peter 5:6-7 (NASB)
D’Lyn Biggs, Lakeway, Texas:
Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart ,and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Amy, Birmingham, AL
“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
Ashley Blakeney, Laurel, MS
“God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10 (HCSB)
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” Romans 12:9-11 ESV
Peggy — Yorktown, VA
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matt 5:1-5
Carrie Louviere, Lafayette, LA Isaiah 26:3(HCBS) You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You.
Kristi – Clovis, CA
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
Marta Ryburn. Roanoke, VA “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
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Chist God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV Amy Vasquez, North Wales, PA