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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Teresa, Chadron, NE
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7, ESV 2013
Natalie Chance, Kansas City, Kansas
Ephesians 1:7 ESV
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,”
But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7 NIV
Cheryl, Louisville, KY. “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7: 14 NIV
Richelle, Kingston, TN
“Because he loves me, “says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.” Psalm 91:14 NIV
Paula Sayers from Mena, AR, James 4:7 (ESV)
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Bethany, Burleson, TX
“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (â€1 John‬ â€4‬:â€16‬ ESV)
Kate – Stanton, Michigan – “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.”Habakkuk 3:19
My verse: Search me, O God and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 KJV
Sarah-Pineville, La.
Rachel J {Wichita, KS}~ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, whohave been called according to his purpose. ~Romans 8:28, NIV
Molly in Lerici, Italy
20 Now to the one who can do infinitely more than all we can ask or imagine according to the power that is working among us—
Eph 3:20 (ISV)
Robyn from San Antonio, Texas
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”
Hebrews‬ â€12‬:â€1‬ NASB
Amy – Frisco, 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)
Kim S., Nashville, TN:
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV)
Lara, Shawnee,OK.
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
Crystal from Urbandale, IA, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
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 43:18-19
Donna, Houston Texas, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not your own understanding: In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your path. Prov. 3:5-6 NKJ
Jennifer Nash, Cookeville, TN “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Linda Franklin, Watauga, Texas. “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 ESV
Philippians 4:8 Finally, bretheren, 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 anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Phillipians 4:8 NASB
Raelene Munn, Oak Grove, LA. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, Ephesians 2:19 NIV
Lisa, Hernando, Ms
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19 ESV
Aurora, NE “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27 ESV
Sharon Wooten – Falcon, NC
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12 NKJV
Deborah Bell, Bridgeton, NJ
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. 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 43:18-19 KJV
Debbie, Wichita, Ks–In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5
Isaiah 43:19 NIV
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.
Andrea Harris from Sacramento, California – Galatians 6:9 (AMP) And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.
Wait on the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 NIV
Isaiah 43:18-19, “But forget all of that – it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do brand new things. See I have already begun!” NLT
Carolyn Thigpen, Madison, FL
Carolyn Campbell, Chicago
Don”t worry about anything, instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers.
Philippians 4:6 The Living Bible Paraphrase
Karen Cosmano, Vista, CA. “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
Staci Idalou, TX: 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. (â€Isaiah‬ â€41‬:â€10‬ NIV)
Psalm119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet. And a light to my path, NKJV
Reta Hampton Waynesburg Ky Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see yhe Lord. Hebrews 12:14 NIV
Can’t wait to get started.
So excited about this!
Katie, Cincinnati, OH: “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Julie Adkison — Cypress, TX
Romans 15:13 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.
Ruthie, Jackson, TN
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (â€Ephesians‬ â€3‬:â€20-21‬ NIV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13
Jan Perkins, Perryville, MD “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight…”
Forgot to add translation. It is: NIV
Ok I need sleep. The scripture ref is: Ephesians 1:4
I’ll get this right next time. So sorry.
Ashley W., St. Albans, WV
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:18
Becky, Plainfield, IN
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 ESV
Mindy from Knoxville, TN. Psalm 63:5, NLT “You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy!”
Kim Klancke, Independence, MN
“If you love me, you will obey what I command.” John 14:15 NIV
Mary Martin Greenbrier, Al. Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (NASB)
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay one’s life down for one’s friends. ” Johm15:13
Shelia McWaters, Roanoke, AL “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
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV
That’s my verse too, Sheri 🙂