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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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 (Kennedy: And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not men. Colossians 3:23 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. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€19‬ ESV)
“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not; they are new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Beth, London, Ontario. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NIV
Stephanie Cozart, Cisco, Texas. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things, out of thy law. Psalm 119:18.KJV
The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. Psalms 145:8
Diana Goodwin, Antlers, OK “When I am afraid I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me.” Psalm 56:3-5 (HCSB)
Philippians 4:6-7 ESV “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.”
Jessica, Epping, NH
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29 NIV
Liz Schoenleber, Hampstead NC “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
Wendy Waugh Simi Valley Calif. Eph. 4:1-3
“I therefore, a prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.”
Nedrea Haley, Hoover, Alabama.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8 NIV
Kelli, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
“…I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 NIV
“O Lord, my God,I called to you and you healed me.”
Psalm 30:2 NIV
Jill Lynch, Mission Viejo, CA “Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name, I will lift up my hands.” Psalm 63:3-4 NIV
Isaiah 40:31 New International Version (NIV)
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.
Kristi Longino, Moira, New York. Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord , O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; Psalm 103:1-3 NASB
Emily McCargar from Elk Grove, CA
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 ESV
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1 NIV
Ashley, Grand Rapids, MI
Many are the plans in a man”s heart, but it is The Lord”s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Cyd Brown, Lilburn, GA: “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)
Cassie Hynes, Mechanicsburg, PA
“If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”
Prov. 3:24 ESV
Leslie, Laurinburg, NC “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 KJV
Susan Kuruvilla, Katy,TX
“I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the Godly.”
Psalm 52:9 ESV
Leslie Pence-Samardzija, Metairie, Louisiana.
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21
Chanda, Molena Ga, ” Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of The Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.” Romans 13:14 NLT
Kristy, birchwood, TN
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (â€Hebrews‬ â€4‬:â€16‬ NLT)
Katie, O’Fallon IL ‘Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.’ Psalm 19:14
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Phil. 4:6 KJV
Jen Stove- Shawnee, KS
“It is the gift of God, not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ESV
Courtney Fredieu, from Leesville, La.
James 5:14, Is any of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint hi with oil in the name of the Lord. NIV
Grace Donley, Lakeland, Fl
For our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
2 Corinthians 4:17 KJV
Keli, Seguin, TX
Galatians 6: 9 (NAS)
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
Lauren – Buda, TX. — For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14 (NIV)
Selena Ballou, Villa Hills, Kentucky “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3
Be still and know that I am God Psalm 46:10
Greer, SC
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 6:4 NLT
‘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.’ Isaiah 43:19 NLT
Jayne – Fort Smith, AR. Eph. 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. NIV
Janelle – Atlanta, GA: “I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 NLT
Penny McWilliams – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. Ephesians 3:20 NLT
Sandy Peacock, St.Peters, Missouri. “trust in The Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and feed on His Faithfulness”. Psalm 37:3
Diane Hudson-Lebanon, Tn. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NKJV
Kerry Overby Saint Joseph, MO
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the word of life. 1 John 1:1 NIV84
Caron — Duncanville, TX Romans 8:6 NASB
For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace…
Linda V. Belton, MO “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.” John 16:33 (NIV)
Sandy Woffard, Rio Rancho, NM “Then he said, “If now I have found grace in Your sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray, go among us, even though we are a stiff-necked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your inheritance.” Exodus 34:9 NKJV
“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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” -Jeremiah 29:11-13, NIV