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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“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.”
Psalm 143:8 NIV
Andrea Coslett, Haysville, KS: “For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but my lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and my covenant of peace will not be shaken, says the Lord who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10
Kathy, Chesapeake, VA –
but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 9:24 ESV
Above all else guard your heart because everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23
Laura from Rancho Cucamonga, California “Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
oops, should add Rom. 8:1-2 NASB
Jill from Soldotna, Alaska
Create in me a pure heart, oh God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10, NIV
Clare, Buckinghamshire, UK. ‘But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.’ Matthew 15:18 NIV
Jackie Abel, Springfied, SD “The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps”
Proverbs 16:9 ESV
Kori Shellard, Roseburg, Oregon
“Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.” 1 Timothy 2:8 NIV
Tracey Boyko from Niskyuna, NY
Romans 12:2 NIV
“Do not conform to the pattern 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.”
Mary Beth Nickerson, Lascassas, TN “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord Bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you. and be gracious to you. The Lord turn His face to you and give you peace. NIV
Monca Blue,Lanagan,MO.”If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 AMP
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 NIV
Kim, Middleburg, Fl, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us. II Cor 4:7
Lauren Brown, Bowling Green, KY. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16
Paige Jones, Bryan/College Station, TX “Hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.”
Hebrews 10:23 NLT
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14
NAB-CE Hebrews 13:2 ‘Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.’
Angie
Greenville Ohio
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promicses to her! Luke 1:45NIV
Sarina Grasham, Houston, Texas-“joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord” Psalm 119:1
Shannon Carollo, Misawa, Japan: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phillipians 4:6 NIV
Darla from Benton, LA. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Eph. 2:10 NIV
The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him! Lamentations 3:22-24 (NASB)
Jeanette, Coral Springs, FL “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. (Ps.141:3, NIV)
Sharon Wiebe, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada
“If you do not have wisdom, ask God for it. He is always ready to give it to you and will never say you are wrong for asking.” James 1:5 (New Life Version)
Lori Boswell, Carrollton, Ky
This is what the LORD says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17 NIV
Anita Der Kevorkian, Mission Viejo, CA
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14(NIV)
Reply
Every Scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work. 2 Timothy 3: 16-17
Becca Pritchard
Lakewood, Washington
And those who know your name put their trust in you,for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 9:10
1Thessalonians 5:16-18. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
“And we know God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for Him.” Romans 8:28
Teresa Olson, Knoxville, TN: “That the sharing of thy faith may become effective by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” Philemon vs 6, KJV
Col 3:23-24 NIV
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. Psalm 119:18. NIV
Gloria – Cypress, TX – “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” James 1:3 NIV
many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. NIV
Anna Milwee- Birmingham, AL
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 NIV
A soft answer turns away wrath.
Provebs 15:1
Brenda Russell, Hendersonville TN “Always be joyful.” 1 Thes. 5:16 NLT
Jennifer Robinson
Selma Al
Colossians 3:23 “whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not men”
Jennifer Hall from Lincoln City, OR
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:8
Valerie Mathura, Newnan, Georgia
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (â€2 Corinthians‬ â€4‬:â€7‬ NIV)
Terry, from Denton, Tx Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
I will abide in your tabernacle forever;
I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.” Psalm 61:4. NKJV
Cheryl, Hillsborough, NC. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:32 NLT
Karianne L, from Stillwater, MN: “This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 NIV
patti, springfield, mo. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing”