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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sonya Trosper, Tumwater, WA ” If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 NIV
Rebekah Owens, Ralph, AL. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:12 NASB
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV
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
Susie
Kirkland, Wa
“And he passed in front of Moses proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6, NIV).
Kathi Hudson, Hanford, CA: “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Cor 13:7 NLT
Brie, Edmonton, AB
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Mathew 6:34 NKJV
Susan – Statesville, NC
O Lord, You are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt Yourself as the ruler of all.
– 1 Chron. 29:11 (NET)
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
Taylor, Frisco, TX. “Do not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Phillipians 4:6 NLT
Melissa, Waldorf, MD ” Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (â€Philippians‬ â€4‬:â€6‬ NIV)
Round Lake, IL
Psalm 25:5
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. NIV
Leah White, De Kalb, TX. Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us, Hebrews 12:1 HCSB
Holly Barrett, Dickson TN “My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him. Psalm 62:5. (NASB)
Tabatha Perkins from Lubbock, TX
Isaiah 26:3,4 “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.”
Delores, Columbia,Tn. Now, therefore,you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. Ephesians 2:19 NKJV
Yita • Maui, Hawaii • “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
Andrea Steinmetz, Alta Loma, CA “8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.”
James 3:8-9 New King James
Rhonda Yoder Breischaft: Fort Wayne, IN
What, then, shall we say in response to those things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 NIV
Marcia Grondahl, San Clemente, CA;
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him. James 1:5 NIV
Tabitha, Johnson City Tn.”Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV
Kirsten from El Paso, TX: “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Ephesians 4:1 NIV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 ESV
Allison, Bedford, Texas: “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
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own understanding. Remember the Lord in all you do, and he will give you success.
Darlyn Knapp Singer, LA “Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind.” Proverbs 21:5 (MSG)
“‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Revelation 3:8. ESV
Lynne Davis, Fort Thomas, KY
La’Tonya Thierry, Brookshire, TX. The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it and is safe. Proverbs 18:10 KJV
Michelle Holmes Tyler,Texas “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Tracie Ashlock, Lubbock, Texas “For you have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from falling, so that I may walk before God in the light of life.” Psalms 56:13
Suzanne Fox from Bel Air, MD “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ” Colossians 3:13 NIV
Jan Jones, Bluff City: “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 29:11-13 NIV
Stephanie from Bixby, OK “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)
Lee Lewis, Cadiz, KY “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” -Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Cindy Harvey, Morrilton, Arkansas – Ephesians 6:10-18 (New International Version (NIV)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.Â
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.Â
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13Â Therefore put on the full armor of God,so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
15Â and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.Â
16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.Â
17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Claire from McKinney, TX
“Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day.” (â€Psalms‬ â€25‬:â€4-5‬ NASB)
Anna from Birmingham,AL
Psalm 145:17 (NIV)
The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.
Vickie Carroll, Olive Branch, MS “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 NIV
Vicki, Tucson AZ.
John 10:27-28 My sheep listen to my voice; i know them, and they follow me, i give them eternal life; no one shall perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.. NIV
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Lynn Mooney Hinckley, Ohio. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9a NKJV
Lori Haller, Easton, MD
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you wet called in one body; and be thankful. Col.3:15
Matthew 22:37….Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
Gayle Bradford, Killeen,TX. “I live by faith,not by sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV
Karen R., Mebane, NC “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Cor. 9:8 (NIV)
“May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace so that you may overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” Romans 3:15
Christina from Valley Center, CA “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:” 1 Peter 1:3 KJV