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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elizabeth Peck, Fairfax Station, VA
Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the desert. By day the pillar of cloud did not cease to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take.
Nehemiah 9:19 NIV 1984
Debbie Martin- Waxhaw NC
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)
Tammy, Lakeland, FL
The tongue has the power of life and death,and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 NIV
” But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.” Hebrews 3:6 NIV
Jami Thurkettle Rutherfordton, nc
2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT
So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
Alison Campobello SC
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1Peter 4:8 NIV
Amy Jernigan, Aiken, SC “Rejoice in The Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:4-5 NIV
Christina F
Modesto,CA
Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Phil 3:13b-14 NKJV
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
Kim S. Circleville, Ohio:
Psalm 7:17, NIV
I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.
Faithful is He who calls you and He also will bring it to pass. 1 Thessalonians 5:24
Payson, AZ. Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10. NIV
Terri Brooks, Stonewall, LA.
Psalm 51:10 NIV
Create in me a pure heart, OGod, and renewa steadfast spirit within me
Hamburg, Arkansas
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
Charlotte Jacobs, Spartanburg, South Carolina.
You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your word to renew me.
Psalm 119:114 MSG
The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you-wonderful, joyous news for all people.” Luke 2:10 CEB
Danielle pepper Madison, Ms:
Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. Proverbs 13:20 NLT
Robyn W, Washington, IN
Exodus 1:21 (ESV)
“And because the midwives feared God, He gave them families.”
Psalm 119:15-16 NIV
I meditate on your precepts and I consider your ways. 16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
Rene, Sunnyvale, TX
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Mary Anne Duerrstein, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Deuteronomy 30:19
“Every day I lay before you life and death; choose life so that you and your decendants may live. (ESV)
Natasha Moore, Jackson Mo.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1:3 NIV 84
Suzanne H. Houston, TX
“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
Joyce Grimes – Pace, FL
“Show me Yoir ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation, On You. I wait all the day.” Psalms 25:4-5 (NKJV)
Hannah Kriewaldt, Virginia Beach, VA, “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
Harlene Coshocton, Ohio Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalms119:105[nasb}
Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19.21
Tara Bowman, Santiago, Honduras (10 years old) “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud.” 1 Corinthians 13:4 (ICB)
“Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1
HCSB
Amanda O’Brien, Houston, TX
“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.”
John 14:27, HCSB
Kari White, Fulton, SD “Therefore,if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
Amy Haden, Longview, TX – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
Jennifer – Huntington, Indiana. “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4 NIV
Cheryl, Houston
Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Proverbs 19:21 ESV
I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, “You are my servant”; I have chosen you and not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be nothing at all. For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:9-13 NIV
“Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 NIV
Leanne, Atlanta, Proverbs 25:28 “A person without self control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.”
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (â€1 Corinthians‬ â€13‬:â€4-7‬ NIV). This verse saved our marriage.
Kim Bainbridge, GA “The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whomshall I dread?” NAS
Stephanie Redmond Cordova, Tennessee Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” NIV
Melissa Belderrain – Great Falls, MT
1 We must, therefore, pay even more attention to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?
Hebrews 2:1-3a (HCSB)
Romans 12:14 NIV
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Sarah Sykes, Arkadelphia, Arkansas
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (â€Colossians‬ â€3‬:â€17‬ ESV)
Ruth Sumrall Shelbyville TN Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:12-13
Eron, Athens, GA
Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever! Deuteronomy 5:29 ASV
Christy George: High Island, Texas
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea,I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Isaiah 41:10
McKinley, Spring City, Tennessee
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (â€Philippians‬ â€4‬:â€13‬ KJV)
Brenda Dupuis,Southaven, MS. “I will exalt you, my God and King,
and praise your name forever and ever. Psalm 145:1 NLT
Michelle from Holland, MI. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfected of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:2-3
1 Thes. 5:17-18
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Sheila Davis, Phenix City, AL, No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29 (HCSB)