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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Terri, Escondido, Ca
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.” Galatians 5:22 New Living Translation (NLT)
Dana from Stillwater, MN – Psalm 73:26 (NASB) – My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Bria Josselyn – Franklin, TN
“Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.”
Isaiah 43:19 (Message)
Remember this; Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV)
“In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.” John1:1
Amanda, Drexel,NC
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:19 NLT
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances-for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Telisha, Sour Lake, Texas Romans 8:37-39 (CEV) In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love-not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus Our Lord.
Teresa Reid – Greer, SC “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NASB)
PSA 32:11 NIV
Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!
Barb in Richardson, Tx
Shelby McGill; Frisco, TX
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
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.
Stephanie, Paris, TX. “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:11 NIV
Sue, Mundelein, IL Phillipians 2:13, NIV
Gidget Roberts – Oviedo Florida
Lamentations 3:22-24Amplified Bible (AMP)
22 It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not.
23Â They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.
24Â The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.
Lake Stevens, Wa
Isaiah 43:18,19
18 “Do not remember the former things,
Nor consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert.
Valdosta GA
Isaiah 43:1 (NIV)
Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Julie P Tierra Verde FL
Lord< you give me stability and prosperity;you make my future secure. It is as if I have been given fertile fields ore received a beautiful tract of land Ps.16:5&6 NET
Kim Sipes; Granger, IN; “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 43:19 NIV
Psalm 46:10
rhonda Porter, Louisville MS ” Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself.” Philippians 2:3
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
Prov. 3:5-6 NLT
Nancy
Selmer, TN
Galatians 5: 22,23
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. NKJ
Since this is Jan 1, I thought about a new year’s resolution. Gracefully, God has given me a new book, full of clean pages. It is up to me how those pages are filled. I chose to fill my pages in service to my Savior, Jesus Christ. Earlier in the chapter, Paul says ‘through love serve one another.’ The Living Bible translates this verse, ‘when the Holy Spirit controls my life, He will produce this kind of fruit in me.’ (First person, my translation). So I pray for the Sprit to control my life so I can reflect the love of God. In loving my God, I will love my neighbor. I have joy because I am living with God, now and forever. I am at peace because Christ dwells in me. I am His and He is mine. With love, joy and peace I can serve Him with forebearence, patience, kindness, gentleness, meekness, temperance, faithfulness in my association with others.
Kerrilyn, East Hampstead, NH
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thes. 5:18 ESV
Nanette Smith, Jacksonville TX, “…that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” Philippians 3:10 NAS
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience , kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Gal 5:22-23
Gina Henderson, Upper Hutt, New Zealand. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverence the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV
Pam, Kitchener, ON. Canada
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all that he has done. Then you will experience his peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4: 6-7 (NLT)
Diane Clarke, La Plata MD, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10, KJV
Shonna Massey, Coweta, Oklahoma. Psalms 37:4 NIV Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Karen H. Houston
Isaiah 54:10 NIV
” Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says The Lord, who had compassion on you.
Prov. 15:1 a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Dawn, Boston Massachusetts
John 15:17 This is my command:Love each other (NIV)
Ashley B. – Sugar Land, TX
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” Hebrews 10:36 (NIV)
Caroline, Birmingham, AL. “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21
Danielle Laddon, Arlington, VA: Psalm 5:3 (NIV): In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
New International Version
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.
Sarah Putnam, Greensboro, NC, “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.” Psalm 139:1 (NIV)
Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
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.
Romans 5:8 English Standard Version (ESV)
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Mary Carole Dolce – Henderson, NV
Do not conform to the patterns 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
Tammy Howard Mount Juliet, TN… Now faith is being sure of what We hope for and certain of what We do not see. He brews 11:1
Becki Raymore, MO
May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
2 Thessalonians 3:5 ESV
Meagan, Burke, VA. “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him—
a Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
a Spirit of counsel and strength,
a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.”- Isaiah 11:2, HCSB
January 1, 2015 4:33 pm
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my
Hands; your walls are ever before me.
Isaiah 49:16 (NIV)
Laura from Bedford, TX
You crown the year with your good blessings, and you leave abundance in your wake. Psalm 65:11 (NET)
Terry Myrla ,Atwater ,Ohio
Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord’s.and the fullness thereof ,the world ,and they that dwell therein .
April, Redmond,WA, This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)
Lamentations 3:22-24 New Living Translation (NLT)
22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends![a]
His mercies never cease.
23 Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!”
Ephesians 4:32 KJV. Be ye kind to one another, Tenderhearted ,forgiving one another as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.
Karly Fris – Willow Springs, MO
Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
Psalm 73:25-26 NIV