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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need,and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6
Gloucester, VA
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
Kim A., Vanceboro, NC
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
“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.”
January 1, 2015
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn you. “-Jeremiah 31:3 (American KJV)
Matthew 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. NIV
We need to seek Him first so He can guide our steps.
Psalm 100
Anna McCollister
New Palestine, IN
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 ESV
Rachel Banning, Wichita, KS
~She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
Proverbs 31:25
Saskatchewan, Canada; “But now thus says the Lord Who created you,O Amy, and He Who formed you, O Israel, Do not be in awe! For I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name! You are Mine.” Isaiah 43:1 One New Man version
Jamie Chandler, Scottdale, Georgia “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (â€Philippians‬ â€4‬:â€8‬ NIV)
Carin, Williamson,Georgia, The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 (NIV)
Joy from Ohio
Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thine own understanding . In all the ways acknowledge him and he will direct thy paths.
Alison Brown, Clovis, New Mexico
Romans 8:28 “All things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to his purpose.” (HCSB)
Lisa Melley, Bogota, New Jersey
Delight yourself also in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NKJV
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isa.40:31, KJV
Kerry, Springdale, AR
“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 KJV
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23 (ESV)
Cassie Oring, Murfreesboro, TN. “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
Christy Petillo
San Angelo, TX
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Izora Browning
Midland,Texas January 1,2015 This is the day the Lord has made;let us rejoice and be glad in it. Ps.118-24 NIV.
But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house, At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.
Cristina J., South Carolina
I was praying today about what verse to memorize. I believe the LORD gave me the following:
Isaiah 26:13
O LORD our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name.
– King James Bible “Authorized Version”, Cambridge Edition
Emma H.; Milton, WA
“For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son, and whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
John 3:16, NIrV
Tiffany Scherer, Big Lake, MN, We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy. Colossians 1:11 NLT
Kim, Springfield, IL
Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
Karen
Hope, AR
Lead me by Your truth and teach me. All day long I put my hope in You. Psalm 25:5 NLT
Stephanie, Mayflower Arkansas
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
1 Peter 5:6 NIV
“Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise His Name. ” (Psalm 103:1, NLT)
Lauri Robert, Windsor, Ontario, Canada “Dont fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns” Philippians 4:6 MSG
Forrest City, AR
Romans 5:5 (ESV) And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Joy Elkins, New Braunfels, TX
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Soverign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.
Rhonda Rehnquist, Arlington Texas. “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 ESV
Elaina Morrison, San Diego, CA, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” Numbers 13:30b NKJV
Natalie, Grand Prairie, TX
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians‬ â€5‬:â€17‬ NIV
“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:9-10
Since we have these promises,beloved,let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of the body and spirit,bringing holiness to completion in the fear if God 2 Corinthians 7:1
Vicki, Elgin, IL “so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” Colossians 1:10 NIV
Jaimie Cooper from Tyler, Tx.
“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”
Psalm 119:50 NIV
Lisa from Coraopolis, PA : 1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV
[9] However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who love him—
I post this as a reminder that we don’t know what God has in store for us this new year, but oh I know it will be wonderful!
PSALM 55:22 NIV
CAST YOUR CARES ON THE LORD AND HE WILL SUSTAIN YOU; HE WILL NEVER LET THE RIGHTEOUS BE SHAKEN.
Norma Webb, Ewing IL
Teach us to number our days, that we may present to you a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NASB
Linda Guinn from Brazoria, Texas: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1 NASB
Let’s go!
Tara Williams, Tinley Park, IL, Jeremiah 32:17 ESV
“Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.”
Naomi Carrasco, San Antonio, TX
“All Scripture is breathed out by God & is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, & for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Emily Caldwell, Springboro Ohio, Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV) “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”.
Deidre Houston Tx “Understand (this), my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear(a ready listener), slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry. James 1:19 AMP
Sallie Harbaugh, Fayetteville, PA “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.” ~Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)
Roxanne Bowman, Santiago, Honduras. “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statues and be careful to obey my rules.” Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV)
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, 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 ESV
Susan – Maynard MA
2 Corinthians 5:17 – ESV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.