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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bonnie Jackson, Lockport, Illinois: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (NIV)
Eden from Prattville, Al “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.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Jenifer Frisco, Texas
No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead…
Phil 3:13 TLB
Do not confirm any longer to the pattern of this world, but be ye 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
Julie Speed, Prairie Grove, AR. “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV
Psalm 111:1-4…
“I will praise the Lord with my whole heart,
In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.
The works of the Lord are great,
Studied by all who have pleasure in them.
His work is honorable and glorious,
And His righteousness endures forever.
He has made His wonderful works to be remembered;
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.”
Therea Dennis Arkansas: ” Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it. There is is!I’m makinga road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.” Is 43:18-19
2 Timothy 3:14 & 15 ESV
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. (â€Psalms‬ â€139‬:â€9-10‬ KJV)
Andy Spray – Centreville, VA
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. â€Psalm‬ â€59‬:â€16‬ (NIV)
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Kelly Higdon, Homestead, FL “This is the day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 30: 19-20 NIV
Glenda Elam Sherman Texas Proverbs 17:17 HCSB “A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for difficult time.”
Barb, McCook, NE Galatians 5: 22-23 But of the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Concordia Self Study Bible, New International Version
Hebrews 6:19- “we have this hope as an ANCHOR for the soul, firm and secure…”
From the ends of the earth I call to you. I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Psalm 61:2
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
Jill Robertson, Savannah, GA
“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.’ Ephesians 4:1 NASB
Carrie W, Burnt Hills, NY
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
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
Krissy from Kahului, Hawaii: “The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV
Linda Gallo, Johnstown, Pa.
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with
Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My
Father on His throne.
Revelation 3:21 NIV
Ella Claire Beard (age 11), Cullman, AL
John 1:1 (NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
“Yes, I am the vine and you are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in he, will produce much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)
My heart is confident in you, O’ God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises! Psalm 57:7
Chris, Blacksburg, VA “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert”
Isaiah 43:19 KJV
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
Romans 12:15 NKJV
Denise Banderman from California, MO “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.” †Luke‬ â€1‬:â€68‬ NIV
Autumn, Foster, KY
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17
Michelle Rolley from Bloomington Illinois
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow
will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble
of its own.” Matthew 6:34 NIV
Jennifer, Fresno, CA
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
II Timothy 1:7 NIV
Jen Rivera, Wellington, FL, Your heart will be where your treasure is. Luke 12:34 NCV
Micah 7:7-8
‘But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my Salvation. My God will hear me.
Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall, I will rise; Though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is a light for me.”
Dawn, Gardner KS, “Now to him who is able to do immesurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Eph 3:20 NIV
P.O.BOX 460
136 MILLET CT
Paula Hefner, Poplar Bluff, MO: “Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 1:11 ASV
January 1, 2015
For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ .
NIV
Laurie Edwards: Genoa, Ohio.
This is my command- Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Lisa Kirk
Indianapolis, IN
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
Genesis 2:18 NIV
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NIV
Anne-Lakeland -Philippians 2:4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Hartington, NE
Psalm 61:2 New American Bible
Hear me O God, my cry; listen to my prayer!
Katy TX, 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.”
Darlene from Atlantic Beach, FL: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6-7 NIV
Laura K, Manchester, CT. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Col. 3:16 NKJV
Kimberly Herron, Owensboro, KY “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Mathew 6:21 NKJV
Graham,WA. “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Hailey Tucker, Brandon, MS
Ephesians 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love, NIV
Abby from Cincinnati, ” Peace I leave you, My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27 NIV