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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cristal Kohring, Montgomery, AL
“Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God for HE is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing – grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God.” Joel 2:13-14 TNIV
Diane, Wedgefield, SC
Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. 1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV 1984
Donna Loyd, Murfreesboro TN “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10 ESV
Jen Beisel, Arlington, VA, Ps 37:5 – Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him & He will do it. (NASB)
Petra Borchert, Saint Cloud MN. “1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life,[a] and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5 ESV
Kara Roden, Clever, MO “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NKJV
Becca, Arvada, Colorado. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” James 1:2-3 NKJV
Hannah Covington, New Tazewell, TN. “How can young people keep their way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” Psalm 119:9 NRSV
Jannita Reiss, St. Albans , Maine
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”
Philippians 2:13 (NLT)
Sue Ellen Richey, Whitesboro, TX
“O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.” Psalm 139:1
Jacqui Hammond, NZ, “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
Lisa Orlandella, Duluth, Ga. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”. 2Timothy 1:7 New King James
Vickie Henderson
Russellville, Arkansas
Leviticus 25:18
Follow my decrees and be careful to obey my laws and you will live safely in the land.
NIV
This is the year of my Jubilee- a year of Sabbath rest!
Sorry I’m from Conroe Texas
Haley Soles, Wilmington, NC “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”-Luke16:10
Rebecca, Las Vegas. “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)
Lynda Rickey, Ocala, FL, “The Lord bless you and keep you;the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 NIV
Now this is eternal life: that they may KNOW you, the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3 NIV
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Psalms 56:3 KJV
Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 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. Is. 43:18-19 ESV
Katy Jayne, Waxahachie, TX: Colossians 3:12-13 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Deut. 30:19-20 amplified
Therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live and may love the Lord your God, obey His voice, and cling to Him. For He is your life and the length of your days.
1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Some are easier to love than others and I need to work on that.
I forgot to say which version I am using: it is NIV
Angie, Central Florida
When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive. I will set in the desert the cypress, the plane and the pine together, that they may see and know, may consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it. (â€Isaiah‬ â€41‬:â€17-20‬ ESV)
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” Colossians 3:16a
Kristen, Indio, CA,
Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
” For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Mitchell SD God’s promise – Psalm 121:3 NIV
He will not let your foot slip –
he who watches over you will not slumber.
Carolyn Taylor, Dallas, TX: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 ESV
Stephanie Robertson, Billings, Montana: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
Heather B., West Hartford, CT. “The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17 New International Version
Kristi Mowery, Lancaster, PA, “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
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Isaiah 26:3 NLT
Leah Robertson, Colleyville, Texas “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
2 Peter 1:3 – KJV
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:
“For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
Jeremiah 32:17 NIV
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Tanya San Angelo, Texas
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16 NKJ
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.” II Corinthians 5:17 HCSB
Amanda Lanier, LaFayette, GA – Ps. 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. KJV
Melinda, Edmond, 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)
Lynn Puryear, Carthage, TX
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord gives grace and glory; No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.
Psalm 84:11 NASB
Laura from Saucier MS. “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 NIV
Darcy & Hannah (mom & daughter)/ Clermont, FL
Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (NIV)
Leslie Magnanti, Stem, NC: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
Tulsa, OK
Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD. Psalm 4:5 ESV
Mandeville, LA
For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside. I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food.
Job‬ â€23‬:â€11-12‬ NLT
Brenda Hohweiler, West Chester, OH ~ “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
Cindy Daugherty, Neosho, MO. “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (â€2 Peter‬ â€1‬:â€3‬ NIV)