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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kristen, Largo FL “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 NIV
Joshua 1:9 NLT
Krista from Shelby, NC: “I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.” Jeremiah 24:7
Anita Wyatt, Bixby, OK
So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” Nehemiah 6:3
Debbie Lamb, Colorado Springs, Colorado
“Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain in the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried you since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:3,4. NIV
Laurie Zaza, Austin TX, “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” James 1:26 NIV.
Lisa Crouse, Knightdale, NC “The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 NIV
Robin, Monroe, GA
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)
Emma Brenneman, Catlett, VA. “Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.” 1Chron.29:11 KJV
Michelle from Sherwood, AR: “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 NLT
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 3:3 ESV
The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
Psm 91: 14-15 – NLT
Denise Ramser, Gambier, Ohio: Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments, and live. Proverbs 4:4b ESV
Vanessa from Humble, TX
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12: 1 RSV
Becky, Roswell, GA
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19, ESV
Stacey from Wentzville, MO: “therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God- this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you all be able to test and approve what Gods will is- His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2 NIV
Terri, Tipton
He who began a good work in yoy will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phillipians 1:8
CeCelia, Houston, 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 a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Glennell Strawn
Buda, TX
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.
Ephesians 1:7-8a (NIV)
Behold, I will do a new thing; now shall it spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 ASV
Gail from Westport, Kentucky. “Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us — to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (â€Ephesians‬ â€3‬:â€20-21‬ HCSB)
Alaire from Eugene, OR. “If Any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” James 1:5 NIV.
Nancy Sticht, St. Augustine, Florida. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17 KJV
Erica Levy, Ontario, California. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” Colossians 3:23 NIV
This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.
Ezekiel 37:5 NIV
Betty Taylor, Albany, GA. “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 (ESV)
Jenni Tennille Atlanta, Ga “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 a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Col. 3:15 NKJV
Katie Quinn, Wichita, KS
“So we fix out eyes not on what is seen but what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV
Terri Pope, Gardendale, Texas “The priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard them, for their prayers reached heaven, His holy dwelling place.” 2 Chron 30:27n NIV
Joanna Chung, San Ramon, CA. “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.” (â€Psalm‬ â€25‬:â€4-5‬ NIV)
Dione Harjo, Moore, Oklahoma Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.” Psalms 63:3 ESV
Stacy, Ruston, LA. “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.” Hebrews 10:23 NLT
Cynthia Olson from Big Lake, MN
Proverbs 16:9
A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure. (Amp.)
(NLT) Philippians 4:13
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Sharon Meekins Charleston, SC He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30 ESV
Shirley Long, Bella Vista, AR. “fFor this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. ” 1Peter 2:15. NIV
Carolyn Medlin Oceanside Ca “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise–the fruit of lips that confess his name.” Hebrews 13:15 NIV
Khim Rossiter, Muskegon, MI
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religious is useless.
James 1:26 NKJV
Tracy, Lynchburg, VA
Heb. 12:2, KJV:
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Julie Cook, Selma, IN. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
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
Nikki Rhodes, Alexandria, LA, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV
Jessica Grimes from San Diego CA
” Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”
Heb 12:1
NIV 84
Elisa, Amarillo, TX “And you were also included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit…” Ephesians 1:13 NIV
Jackie McCloud, Springfield, Ohio
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
“The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
I Chronicles 16:9
Marci Hedegard, Nashville, Tn “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.” Romans 12:1 msg
Tracy Hill, Alliston, Ontario, Canada-We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 1Thessalonians 1:2 (NIV)
Monika Salars, Silver City, New Mexico “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding”.
Proverbs 3:5 NIV