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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Suzanne Wood, Las Vegas, NV
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Prov. 3:5 (NIV)
Visalia, CA
Psalm 119-10-11 (NIV)
“I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
Jackie Decatur Tx
Hebrews 4:16
Let us the approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and fine grace to help us in our time of need.
Christina, Edgewater, FL. “You make known to me the path of life;you will fill me with joy in your presence,with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”- Psalm 16:11 NIV
Philippians 2:1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? (New Living Translation)
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. Psalm 73:23
Knowing that the King of kings holds me by my right hand gives me courage and accountability throughout my day.
John 14:27New King James Version (NKJV)
27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Laura Graves, Charleston, SC. “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.” Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Pam from Mesa, Arizona
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 NIV
Karen Libka – Salem, IN
“God, the one and only – I’ll wait as long as he says. Everything I hope for comes from him so why not?”The Message
Judy, Van Gilder Lubbock, Texas. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Carissa LaValle, St. Bonifacious, MN.
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV.
Onda Jenks, Morgantown, WV “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.” ~Col 1:9 (ESV)
Shirley Chase, Canton, Texas
“The LORD will fight for you; and you have only to be silent.” Exodus 14:14 (ESV)
Shira MacLennan, Americus, Georgia.
I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee as a thirsty land. Psalm 143:6 KJV
Kaitlin Kroese, Lebanon, Missouri.
2 Cor. 1:3-4 NIV
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God”.
Auburn, Alabama
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
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Phillipians 4:13 NAS
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4 NKJV
Pam Reinhard, Falcon, CO “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born i set you apart and appointed yo as my spokesman to the world.” Jeremiah 1:5, NLT
Pam Walling, Bridgeport, WV “Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in times of trouble and never stop praying.” Translation from Peale Center for Christian Living.
CarolAnn Sexauer, Canton, MI
When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. (â€Psalm‬ â€94‬:â€18-19‬ NIV)
Niki, West Liberty, KY “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” Romans 8:18 NKJV
Kendra Green, College Station, TX – A new day will dawn on us from above because our God is loving and merciful. Luke 1:78 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Cathey from Cordova, Tn my verse is 2 Corinthians 5:17 from NKJV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Patricia H – Pearland,TX
I have told you these things,
so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the
world. Jan 16:33 NIV
Lynn, Hutchinson, KS
Ephesians 3:16
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being. NIV
Lisa DeCarlo, Alpharetta, GA
That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left–feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.
John 14:27 The Message
Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. (â€Psalms‬ â€51‬:â€10‬ NKJV)
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe. Hebrews 12:28
Kim, Rock Hill, SC. 18 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.
19 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 43:18-19 ESV
Thank you so much for this blog
John 3:16New International Version (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Moreen, Sydney, Australia.
Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! 2 Corinthians 5:17 The Message
Many are the plans of a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 (ESV)
Angela McCracken, San Diego, CA. “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8 NIV
He will wipe all tears from their eyes,and there will be no more death,suffering,crying,or pain. These things of the past are gone forever. Revaluation 21:4 (CEV)
Dezirae Estes, Temple Ga.
Hebrews 4:16 (NLV)
Let us go with complete trust to the throne of God. We will receive His loving-kindness and have His loving-favor to help us whenever we need it.
Thinking about my future business venture plans!
Chaunte C. Neely, Mooresville, NC. “A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.” Proverbs 18:16 NIV
Sugar Thiessen
Omaha, Nebraska
“When you get serious about finding Me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” Jeremiah 29:13 MSG
Love this verse!! Thanks for sharing!
Laura Jeffery, Guelph, ON – God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Cor. 1:9 NIV
Suanne McDonald from Archibald, LA. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 NIV
oooh, good one!
Denise Fitzgerald: Isaiah 43:19 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)
Elisabeth Allen, Pittsburgh, PA, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22 ESV
Belinda Mullet, Belton, MO: “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 NIV
since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everybody filement of body and spirit bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God 2nd Corinthians 7: 1KJV
Jacqueline, Ephrata, PA
1 Thessalonians 5:5 NET
” You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.”
Carla, Coweta, Oklahoma, “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Ephesians 4:29 NLT
Dawn Bryant, Kinta, OK “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Jill T. Bristol, TN
Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NKJV)