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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Corinne Miller, Pittsburgh, PA “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 ESV
Jessica, San Diego
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:12 NIV
1. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 NKJV
“Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.”
(Psalm 131:1, ABS)
Orofino, Idaho “For by grace we are saved through faith; and that not of ourselves: It is a gift of God.” Eph. 2:7 KJV
James 1:19 wherefore my beloved brethren let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak,slow to wrath
y Clackum, White, Georgia, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (â€Matthew‬ â€11‬:â€29‬ ESV)
“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Humble, TX
Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Lisa, Norco, CA
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 NIV
Maggie Chadwick, Paris, Texas. 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 NIV
Pam Smith, Douglas, GA 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
Misti Robinson, from Houston, TX
“The Lord bless you and and keep you; the Lord make his face shine up on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
NIV Numbers 6:24-26
Mary Ann Holton, Woodbury, MN
My lips will glorify you because Your faithful love is better than life. ~ Psalm 63:3 HCSB
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has gone. Great one for the first of the year.
Caroline, Broken Arrow, OK, “I sought The Lord, and He answered me, He delivered me from all my fears.” Psalms 34:4 NIV
Kristen Young, Rochester, NY – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of you 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
Amy Clackum, White, Georgia, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (â€Matthew‬ â€11‬:â€29‬ ESV)
Sharon H., Radford, VA – I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
Sherry Stewart, Winston-Salem, NC
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
HCSB
Teresa Bellinghausen, Ankeny, IA. 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills– where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
Cathy Pernsteiner, Clarkston, WA Acts 17:28 “For in Him we live and move and have our being.” NIV
Psalm 63
3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
Belinda Simmons West Lafayette, Indiana
Do Not remember these earlier events; Don’t recall these former events. “Look, I am about to do somthing new. Now it begins to happen! Do you not recongnize it? Yes, I will make a road in the desert and paths in the wilderness. (Isaiah 43:18-19 NET)
Natalie Jeffcoat, Camden, SC
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Psalms 143:8 (NIV)
Carole Bloch, Crestwood, Kentucky. “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
Cheryl says
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son and whoever believes in him shall not perils but gave eternal life. John 3:16
Jolie Schafer, Houston, TX
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NIV
Makenzie Taylor, Cullman, AL
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” -Romans 1:16 NASB
Lake Charles, LA
Isaiah 58:11 ESV
And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail
Kathy Zorrilla, High Level, Alberta.
18 “Forget the former things; Do not dwell on the past.
19 See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I ammaking a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18-19, NIV
Phyllis Freeman, Santee CA “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe” Ephesians 1:18-19a (NAS)
Lindsay Jones, Houston, TX
“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other just as God in Christ has also forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 NASB
Cindy Stuart
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalms 27:1 ESV
He will cover you with his wings; you will be safe in his care; his faithfulness will protect and defend you.
~Psalm 91:14 (GNT)
Jo Ann, Raleigh, NC. “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9 ESV
Nikki Gack, Park Rapids, MN “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Wanda Young
Osborn, Missouri
“When doubts filled my mind,
your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.”
Psalm 94:18 (NLT)
Peoria, IL
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” EPHESIANS 2:10 ESV
Neill Anne Smith from Greensboro,NC
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans‬ â€12‬:â€2‬ NLT
Barb Demmel, Milton, WA And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
Stephanie F, New Braunfels, TX
“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
Ashlee, Shreveport, Louisiana
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 HCSB
Lori Large, Arlington, Texas And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Eph 4:8
Psalms 100
Sheri, Morrisville, MO
“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven–as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little, loves little.” Luke 7:47 NIV
Katie Kump, Smyrna, GA
“May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy…” colossians 1:11 (ESV)
Hilliard, FL
Proverbs 31:8-9 NIV
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Cassie Sanders, Tellico Plains, Tennessee
i will lift up my eyes to the hills–from whence comes my help? Psalm 121:1 NKJV
“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).”