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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My first verse is Cease striving and know that I am God! I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10 NASB
“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 NIV
Patricia Bockmeulen
Stuart, FL
“Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.”
Isaiah 1:17 NLT
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. (â€1 John‬ â€4‬:â€7‬ NIV)
and he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee:for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in mine infirmities,that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
Laura Ozurovich from Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca
“His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who has called us by His own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3 HCSB
COLOSSIANS 3:5 YOUR PUT TO DEATH YOUR MEMBERS WHICH ARE ON THE EARTH: FORNICATION UNCLEANNESS PASSION EVIL DESIRE AND COVETOUSNESS WHICH IS IDOLATRY 6 BECAUSE OF THESE THINGS THE WRATH OF GOD IS COMING UPON THE SONS OF DISOBEDIENCE 7 IN WHICH YOU YOURSELVES ONCE WALKED WHEN YOU LIVED IN THEM.
My SMT verse for today is: Jan, Pensacola Florida. “Forget the former things,do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not percieve it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 41:18-19, NIV.
Gabbie Wray, Wake Forest, NC
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Penny, Mansfield, OH While knowledge makes us feel important it is love that strengthens the body (church). 1 Corinthians 8:1 NLT – slightly modified…
Catherine Hines, Orlando, Florida:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39, NIV
Annette DeBord – Berea KY
Matthew 5:44, 45 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4 NIV
Tanya Davitt, Valencia, California, Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” ESV translation
Holli Edwards , Jacksonville AL “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Deuteronomy 6:4 ESV
Joan DeKoekkoek, Portage, MI
“Guide me in Your truth & teach me, for You are God my Savior, & my hope is in You all day long.” Psalm 25:5 NIV
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for his steadfast love endures forever…
Psalm 136:1
Erin, Spokane, WA. “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.” (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€19‬ NLT)
Bonnie from Pottsville, PA
Psalm 56:8 NLT
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book.
Granby, CO
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Renee Williams, Slidell, Louisiana. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NIV.
Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning. For in you do I trust. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk. For I lift up my soul to you.
Psalm 143:8
Christina Gantlett, Dorchester, Ontario, Canada: “Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ Luke 13:25 NIV
Pam Luschei, El Cajon, California “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22, 23 NIV
Ephesians 2:10 NASB
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Susan Adams, Conover, NC Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
Kim A Charpentier
St Paul, MN
” Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.” Revelation 21:1 NIV
Amanda from Chicago, IL:
“and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.”
-Isaiah 61:3 (NIV)
Libby Dillard- Newnan, Georgia
“but those who hope in The Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint,”
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
From Highland, WI
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24 KJV
Skylar, Baton Rouge
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:1-2 NIV
Valarie from Noble, Ok
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 NKJV
Laura from Graham, TX
“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.” Luke 6:32
Kathy Porter, Las Cruces, NM: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Teresa Colson, St. Cloud, FL. “6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” ESV
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”. Matthew 6:33
Jasmine Williams Deepstep GA “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
Bethany White, Pensacola FL
“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders, clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”. 1 Peter 5:5 ESV
Desiree’ Huerta, Conroe, Texas: “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and I. Truth.” 1 John 3:18 NIV
The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
John 1:4-5 (NLT)
Toni Dickerson from Laurel, DE…
“And He said to His disciples, “therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.” -Luke 12:22 ESV
Kris Strombeck, Selma, IN. ““We walk by faith, and not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
Experience of tragedy and
Experience of tragedy and loss indirectly has led me to feel this verse reply.
Edited from previous post.
Daphne from El Paso Texas — “Do not fear for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10 (HCSB)
Kerri from Dayton, MN
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
Ann Seaney, Santa Cruz, Bolivia. “Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. Isaiah 64:4
Ann Cremar, Toledo Ohio ,
” Crown theYear with Goodness and Your Paths will Drip with Abundance! ”
Psalm 65:11 NKJV
“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!” -Psalm 31:24
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34
But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction,
I Thessalonians 5:12
Lisa from Vanscoy, SK (Canada) “Faith is being sure of what we hope for. It is being sure of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIRV