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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Karen Baker, Queenstown, New Zealand: “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
Lynne Goldade, Seattle (Mill Creek), WA: “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in Speech, Conduct, Love, Faith, and Purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” I Timothy 4:12 NASB
Tracey
Mocksville, NC
Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NKJV
Carrie, Atlanta, GA. “For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.” Psalm 86:10 NIV
Melanie Wilson,New London,PA.
“Fear not, I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
“Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say,”This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.” Isaiah 30:18 (NLT)
Kristi Craig – Niles, MI – Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.- Proverbs 16:3
Melanie H.- Nampa, Idaho
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
Ephesians 1: 17 NIV
Amy Etienne Cynthiana, KY For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Malachi 3:10
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. NIV
Psalms 139:16 NLT
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day has passed.
Tori Mays
Elmer, La
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”.
Matthew 19:26 NIV
Lisa, Louisville KY
Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth. Shall you not know it? I will make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Isiah 43:18, NKJV
“But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word.” Is. 66:2b NKJV (To remind me what matters ti God.)
Greta, Denton, TX
“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears inert down.”
NIV
The above should read:
Greta, Denton, TX
“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” Proverbs 14:1, NIV
Please correct.
Jessica from Louisville, Ky “to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. “(â€Titus‬ â€2‬:â€5‬ NLT)
Johanna Trask, San Dimas, CA, “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 NIV
Becca Williams – Irvine, Ca –
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
“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.”
Candice, Olive Branch, MS. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against you.” -Psalm 119:11, NKJV
Sharon, Tucson, AZ
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2(NLT)
Kathy VanAmburg, Norwalk IA, “For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory” 2 Corinthians 4:17
Tracy Sanford, Rock Hill, SC “Remember this; Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV)
Brandy Masters, Crossville, TN
“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.”
Ephesians 2:19 KJV
Katelyn Walls, Jackson, Tennessee. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians‬ â€3‬:â€20-21‬ NIV
Julia, Redmond, OR It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. Psalm 92: 1-2 NIV
Sonya Buck, Spangdahlem AB, Germany “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for your alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”Psalm 4:8 ESV
Kim Hilderbrand, Pataskala, Ohio ” I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ” John 15:5, NIV
Sallie Russ, Greenwood, SC
“For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.” Ezra 7:10 NASB
Kris, Treasure Island, FL
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 (NIV)
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.
Connie Nicholson, Buda, TX
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
Lori Pannell, Houston, Texas “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek; That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” Psalm 27: NIV
Allison from Roanoke VA: Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together… but let us encourage one another…
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
NLT John 16:33
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
Proverbs 3:3
Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart
N.I.V.
Betty~
Woodstock, GA
Don’t depend on your own wisdom. Respect the Lord and refuse to do wrong. Then your body will be healthy, and your bones will be strong.
Proverbs 3:7-8
New Century Version (NCV)
Klaire Smith,Longview TX “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. Along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22 ESV
Susan Young, Fairhope, Alabama. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance” James 1:2-3 (NIV)
Laura, Troy,Ohio
Psalm 32:7-8
You are my hiding place; You will protect me from
trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you
should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
Lesa Ritter
Lubbock, Tx
I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.
Psalm 40:8
Martha Kay, Warren County, North Carolina
1 Peter 1:3-4…….”new birth”
Great Way to Behin New Year
Michelle Viscuse – Durham, NC
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5 ESV
Bev B, Austin, TX;
Therefore, my dear brothers & sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
I Corinthians 15:58 NIV
My God will use His wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need. Philippians 4:19 (NKJV) Conway, SC
Sallye Kellam from Benton, AR
James 5:16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. NLT
Rachel in Independence, KY
Psalm 145:17-20 (NIV)
The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.
Stephanie Woods, Spring, Texas. “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
Happy New Year to all of you! I too have been enjoying Ephesians for the past 6 months or so 🙂
Sue ~ Hartland, MI
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is
the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
Ephesians 1:18 NASB
Heather C, Omaha Nebraska
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
2nd Timothy 1:7 NKJV