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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Becca, Kansas City: “The Lord is indeed going before you – he will be with you; he will not fail you or abandon you.” – Deut 31:8 NET
Cheryl Shumake from Northville, Michigan “The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing” Zephaniah 3:17 (AMP)
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Lesli Westfall, Pearland, Texas. Job 14:7, NIV
“At least there is hope for a tree:
If it is cut down, it will sprout again,
and its new shoots will not fail.”
Jenalee OR
Isaiah 43:18-19 NASB
“Do not call to mind former things, or ponder things from the past. Behold I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”
Maryann from Valencia, CA
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14(NIV)
Amber, Champlin, Minnesota. “for God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind;” 2 Timothy 1:7 YLT
April Lopez, Bonneylake, Wa
The fear of human opinion disables; trusty in God protects you from that. Proverbs 29:25 msg
Emmilianna Ferreria, Bonneylake, Wa
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 Nov
Aava Ferreria, Bonneylake, Wa
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all
your mind.Matthew 22:37 niv
Bridgett Gardner, Billings, MT 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV) His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Anne Miller, St. Louis, MO “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Revelations 4:11 NIV
Erica, Quincy, Illinois. ” I keep my eyes on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8 NIV
Matthew 19:26
“But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “with men this is impossie, but with God all things are possible.”
Linda, Borger, TX. Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.”
Debbie Sallisaw, OK
Let love and faithfulness never leave you, bind them around your neck and write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs3:3 NIV
Sarah Jane Lambeth, Trinity, NC
“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 a river in the dry wasteland.” (Isaiah 49:19, NLT)
20772 “Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters,” Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 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 43:16,108-19 ESV
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
Joy from Lubbock, Texas “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Liana, Kitchener, Ontario. ‘To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy- to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!Amen Jude 1:24-25 NIV
Teesa Rossman, Rockford, IL
“For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” James 1:3 NLT
Heather;Colorado Springs,CO; Praise The Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Psalm 103:1 NIV
I have been wanting to memorize scripture and this will be my start for it. I like that I can choose them based on my life at that moment.
Leslie Faulkenbery, Eupora, Mississippi, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 ESV
Luke 1:45 (NIV)
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!
Sally Heydlauff, Sturgis, MI
“Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
Jessica, Broken Arrow, OK. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
Kimberly Parker, Laurel, MS: “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.” Isaiah 43:18 KJV
Lani Truxillo, Brandon, MS “And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called into one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 NAB
Brandy Fox, Siloam Springs: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1 NLT
“Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters,” Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 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 43:16,108-19 ESV
II Timothy 3:14
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you have learned it. (NIV)
Whatever you do, do your work heartily,
As for the Lord rather than for men; Col 3:23 NAS
Suzanne McMillan, Vancouver, Washington “Praise be to the Lord, God of Isreal, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.” Luke 1:68 (TNIV)
Cheryl from Springfield TN: “But forget all that–it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. 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 43:18-19
Proverbs 2:6-7
“It is the Lord who gives wisdom; from Him come knowledge and understanding. He provides help and protection for those who are righteous and honest.” GNT
Kailah, Woodland Park, CO
“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 ESV
Darl, Bakersfield, CA
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy. Without holiness, no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14 NIV
Mary Beth Gonya from Bethlehem PA
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Mathew6:34 NKJV
Patty Sandel, Mesquite, Texas. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2 KJV
Lauren from Lubbock, Texas “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
Connie Broich, Raleigh, NC. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
Colossians 3:23 NIV
Heather, Lapeer, Michigan
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation. Psalm 68:19 NASB
Beth, Kintnersville, Pa.
Isaiah 30:21
NIV
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.”
Katie W. White Cloud MI: Psalm 112:7 NIV
“They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”
Jacy, Mineral Wells, Tx
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving The Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:11-12
Linda Wilson, O’Fallon, IL
“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”
Isaiah 49:16 NIV
Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. Amp bible
Denise, Key Largo Florida “I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.” Psalm 16:8 NLT
Teresa, Lake Jackson, TX; “Let us approach God’s throne with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Kim Eshelman Lewisburg, PA
Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refudge in HIM.