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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jenna Hogue, Austin Texas
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. (â€Matthew‬ â€10‬:â€16‬ NIV)
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NLT
Luke 11: 13 KJV
If Ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:4 NIV
Kelli from Nashville, Tn ; “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.Ez 36:26 From the ESV
I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; and I will not remember your sins. Isaiah 43;25 ESV
“Yes I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NLT
Tina Lyon from Lubbock, Texas: In dedication to a dear friend that passed away on her 59th birthday yesterday, 12/31/14, from colon cancer.
“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NIV
“And Mary said, My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Luke 1:46, NIV
Samantha, The Woodlands, TX “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
Lynn Miller, Winchester, VA
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1
Jaclyn Smith, Portage, IN “In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.”(â€Job‬ â€12‬:â€10‬ ESV)
Seana, Norcross, GA. “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.”
Hebrews 4:16.niv
“God is strong and can help you not to fall. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and can give you great joy. Jude 1:24 NCV
I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. Psalms 9:1 NLT
“You call out to God for help and he helps–he’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, he’s also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living. 1Pet. 1:17 Msg.
Lisa Grumbine, Kutztown, PA “Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.” Psalm 61:1-3 (ESV)
Marsha R. Lexington Park, MD
Praise the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Psalm 150:1-2 NIV
Sorry the version I posted earlier was incorrect. It should have been (NCV)instead of (NKJV) for Philippians 4:19
Diane Wadsworth, pleasant Grove, AL
“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.” Isaiah 43:19, NLT
Buffalo, TX
“Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.
Ephesians 4:32 NCV
Maribeth, Jackson, MS
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
Katherine Louw, Gallatin, TN
Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5 NKJV
Patty, Grand Island, NY. “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
Red Rock, TX
Gina Carr; Hattiesburg, Mississippi
“Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge”. Psalm 16:1 (NLT)
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, Philippians 1:9
Connie
Clearwater FL
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13 NIV
There are many plans in a mans heart, Nevertheless the Lords counsel that will stand. Proverbs 19:21 NKJV
Karen Frost Southside, AL
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10 ESV
Janet Allen, Huron, Ohio
“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
Barb from Hammond, LA, my favorite lifetime scripture is Galatians 2:20.
Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
Susan Atkinson from Arkadelphia, Arkansas: “Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for He is our God. We are the people He watches over, the flock under His care. If only you would listen to His voice today!” Psalm 95:6-7 NLT
Bakersfield, Ca
Do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.
Proverbs 3:21-22 NIV
Vanessa from Victoria TX
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (â€1 John‬ â€1‬:â€7‬ NIV)
Debbie, Johnson City, TN. Let the words of my mouth, and the mediation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14 KJV
Kathy Silence
Columbus, Indiana
Eph 1:9 NAS
He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable , if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He brings them out of their distresses. Psalm 107:28
Be kind to on another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32
Jessalyn, Mankato MN You say, “I am allowed to do anything” —but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. (â€1 Corinthians‬ â€10‬:â€23‬ NLT)
Sarita, Londonderry, NH “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NKJV
Felecia Clarke, Jupiter FL. “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you or forsake you.” Joshua 1:5 NIV
Kate Murphy Charlotte, Iowa
Then He said the them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” Luke 12:15 NASB
Cammi Balleck CO – Victorious God, I celebrate the fact that You, the God of peace, will soon crush Satan under Your feet, and until then the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with us. (Rom. 16: 20)
Jeremiah 29:11 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.
Joy Karriker, Greenville, NC
“For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says” (2 Cor 1:19, NLT).
Isaiah 43:19 NKJV
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.
Patty, Liberty Twp, OH – “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.” Psalm 37:5-6 NIV