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) 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:
Your name, city, verse (written all the way out), reference, and translation.
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Barb from Burkesville ,KY ” He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humblywith your God.” Micah 6:8. NIV
Greenville, SC
Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
Psalm 56:8 KJV
Kathy Walden, Knightstown,IN
“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the ressurection from the dead.” Phil 3:10-11 NIV
Terrie, Fort Wayne, IN
But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house, At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You. Psalm 5:7. NAS
Catherine Hedin, Grantsburg, WI Romans 8:1-2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. NIV
Danielle Dryburgh, Sanatoga PA “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
Dawn Mellick Aubrey, TX
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
NLT
Anna Lawler, Chandler, OK
“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2 NKJV
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Colossians 3:16a
Melissa Washburn, Little Rock, AR “Though I walk in the mist of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of my enemies, and thy right hand shalt save me.” Psalms 138:7 KJV
“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”
-Proverbs 23:18 (NIV)
Jennifer Harris, Duncanville, TX, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,” Hebrews 12:1 (NIV).
Exodus 14:13… Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will show you today… Gail@Ft Smith,AR
Robin, Bon Aqua, TN, Therefore we do not give up; even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16, HCSB
Lori, Bessemer, AL
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
Hebrews 12:1
Haysi,VA – “For the foolishness of God is wiser then men, and the weakness of God is stronger then men” 1 Corinthians 1:25 MEV
Debi Nunley, Shawnee, Kansas. “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, (2 Timothy 1:1) To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (2 Timothy 1:2 ESV)
“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not
Bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s
Religion is worthless .” James 1:26. ESV
Linda Hall – Salem, VA Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1 NIV
Vicki,TALALA, OK
Proverbs 3:3 NLT Never let loyalty and kindness leave you. Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.
Nora Johnson Peoria, IL
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm143:10 NIV
Kim. Monroe, NC. Hebrews 12:1. HCSB. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us.
Michelle Nash Bentonia MS. My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. Psalm 62:1 NIV
Esther Porter, Shelby NC: “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives” Col. 1:9 NIV
Liz Flaker, Akron, Ohio
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
Matthew 22:37 New International Version (NIV)
Linda, Bartelso, IL. 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 NKJV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6&7 NIV
His delight is in the law of The Lord and on His law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2 NIV
She is clothed with strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future. Proverbs 31:25
Augusta, Maine Philippians 4:13 I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. HCSB
Andrea, Havelock, NC. “The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy.” Psalm 145:8, NKJV
Mechelle Wilson, Shaw, Mississippi “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NIV
Terry Hall, Damascus, AR “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God”.
This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
1 John 5:3-5
Jordan Rios– Morristown, TN
Dawn Wells, Fort Worth, TX
“And from His fullness have we ALL received grace upon grace.” John 1:16 RSV
Anne Fleetwood, PA
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles;
They shall run and not be weary;
They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Josephine Gliottoni,Chicago, IL
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,present your requests to God.And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:6 KJV)
Carla McGaughey, Tyler, Tx
“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. ” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
Kelly M, Yorktown, VA:
Psalms 19:14, NLT
May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Stacie, Nashville
Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 1:21 NIV
Medina, OH
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (ESV)
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Shelley Jones from Visalia, Calif. :”to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:23-24 (NIV)
Phillippians 4:7 (ESV)
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Baton Rouge, LA Philippians 4:13 NKJV I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Paige Addock, Holly Bluff, MS. “The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry.” Proverbs 25:11 from The Message
Cindy Kincaid, Lewisville, TX
Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. NIV
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true”. Revelation 21:5 NIV
Jenny Proctor – Lugoff, SC
“Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” Philippians 4:13 MSG
Jeana Edmonson, oak grove,LA. Psalms 46:10. Be still, and know that I am God. NKJV