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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Melissa Klitzke Powers Lake, ND
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”.
liz gladstone or
Ephesians 4:29New King James Version (NKJV)
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Jenny, Grand Ledge, MI. “I have set the Lord continually before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory (my inner-self) rejoices: my body too shall rest and confidently dwell in safety.” Psalm 16:8-9 AMP
Jackie Moore, Brookville, Ohio
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.
(NLT)
Dora Polk Matthews, Mo I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. ESV
Bethany Mowat, Evart, Michigan Let us therefore draw near with boldness into the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 ASV
But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies,do good to those who hate you, Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you
Luke 6:27-28 NASB
Jessica Mackey, Mission Viejo, CA
“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 â€8‬:â€28‬ NIV)
Denise Korsmo, Dumas, Tx “Remember ye not the former things, nor the things of old”. Isaiah 43:18 KJV
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Wendy Williams, Shreveport, LA:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
the old has gone, the new has come!
Sharon Etheridge (Sherry_Crochets)
Virginia Beach, VA
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 KJV
Becky – Baton Rouge, LA. Ephesians 3:16-19. NIV
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Linda from Holtville, CA
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 (ESV)
Lisa, Columbia, SC
‘He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.” Proverbs 21:23 NASB
Tina Hatchett, Warrior, Al
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Jill Miller, Akron, Indiana “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:7-9 NIV
Proverbs 3:Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. KJV
Lauren, Danville, KY, “God’s message came to me” Ezekiel 16:1 The Message
Ginger Ebarb, Coushatta, Louisiana. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Mobile, AL
NAS Col. 3:12-13 And so, as those who have been chosen by God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Jolee, Meadville, MO. “O Lord, you have searched me and known me!” (â€Psalm‬ â€139‬:â€1‬ ESV)
Anne Sansom from Glen Allen, VA
Give thanks to The Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 136:1 ESV
I will extol the Lord at all times, His praise will always be on my lips. Psalm 34:1 NIV
Alexandria, Virginia (I forgot to put my location)
Proverbs 3:5
Lean on, trust in and be confident in the Lord with all your heartnand mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. AMP
Rita from Pike Road, AL “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
Joyce, Wahpeton, ND
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.
Psalm 91:1-2 ESV
Belinda Smith, Smithfield, NC
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 NASB
Lynda A, Kansas City
You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:13 ERV
Brooke Downing. Jacksonville, Florida. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
She is clothed with strength and dignity, she can laugh at the days to come.
Proverbs 31:25
Jane S., Cedartown, GA
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 NIV
Jeremiah 17: 7
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose trust is in the Lord.
Behold I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? ISAIAH 43:19
Psalm 95:7 For he is out God and we are the people of his pasture; the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today. NLT
I pray that out of His glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Ephesians 3:16-17a
Courtney Clark, Nebraska
Emily C, Tampa, FL: “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NASB)
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.”
“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 43:19 NIV
Geneseo, IL
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12. NIV
Laura Ellis Upton, KY. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman because she was taken out of Man. Genesis 2:23 KJV
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 ESV
Lisa Perry, from Leesville, La
Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed, Save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.
NIV
Jill and Sydney from Mount Vernon, Ohio:
Since we are receiving a kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and thank God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire.
Hebrews 12:28-29 NLT
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose trust is in the Lord.
Jeremiah 17: 7
Jenny, Haven, Kansas: “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30 NIV
“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,” Col. 1: 9, NASB
Kelsey, San Diego
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phil 4:6
Rebecca, Julian, NC, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16 KJV
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. Psalm 143:10 NLT