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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Terri Adamec, Houston, TX. “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:11. NIV
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1. ESV
Roanoke, TX
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirite within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Hold Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphgold me by Your generous Spirit. Psalm 51:10-12, NIV
Proverbs 24:5 A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
Karen
Hendersonville, TN
“Be still and know that I am God.” Ps. 46:10 NIV
Purvis, MS
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Romans 10:9 KJV
Kibby Smith, Kingwood, TX. “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.” Psalm 63:3 NIV
Fran Scott, Stafford, Texas. “Who passing through the valley of Ba’-ca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. Psalm 84:6 KJV
Marilyn Brooks Dahinda, Il
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 know what God wants you to do and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will is.
Romans 12:2 NLT
Kati Wharton, Ocracoke Island, NC
But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands. – Psalm 31:14-15a, NLT
Tracy
Lake Saint Louis, Missouri
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 ESV
Lori
Bangor, Maine
To those who are called, wrapped in the love of God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ. May mercy, peace, and love be lavished on you!
Jude 1:1B-2 (NET)
Nikki
Marianna, FL
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Joanna – Greenville, SC
Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid, stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.”
Exodus 14:13-14 NIV
=D
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
Robbie, Nashville, TN
In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.
Psalm 25:1 NIV
Sarah Smith in Lincoln, NE. “…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.” Isaiah 40:31, NIV.
Phoenix, AZ
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously , and he will give you everything that you need.” Matthew 6:33
Ronda, Mansfield, Ohio. “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:10 NLT
Lottie Long, Pinson, TN
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)
Valarie Davis,NJ
May these words of my mouth
and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalms 19:14
Jen, Hanover, PA “Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.”John 3:6 (NLT)
Stacy, Fairfield, OH, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV
Corey Zipperer, Campobello, SC ” And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phillippians 4:7 (NIV)
Zena – Madison, ME
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
Lynette S., Littleton, CO. In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9 NIV
Kelly, Howey in the Hills, FL
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
Pauline Machard, Kearney, Nebraska
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed
By the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that
Good and acceptable and perfect will of God”
Romans12:2
“…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)
Ali Carraway, Indiana
John 14:23 NLT
Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.”
Kay Smith, Dickson, Tennessee “Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for You are the One I praise.” Jeremiah 17:14 NIV
Romans 8:38 NLT “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow- not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”
Vicki, Cobden, IL. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1. ESV
Melody in Whitmore Lake, MI
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform 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: 1-2
Judy, Fort Gibson, OK
“Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Suzanne McKenzie, Sugar Land, TX
We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor 10:6
Christy Cary
Crandall, TX
“For I know the plans 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
Russell Springs, KY
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
NKJV
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess for He who promised is faithful” Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Justina, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV
Laura, Salem, Oregon
“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious that gold that perishes though it is tested by fire–may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:6-7 ESV
Kim Dugas, Corpus Christi TX
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.
Colossians 3:16 ESV
Teresa Suddreth, Florence, South Carolina -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)
Joyce from Kalamazoo, MI
“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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and protector of 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. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” Hebrews 12:1-4 NIV
Kris, Markle, IN “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12;1-2, NASB
Tiffany. Findlay, Ohio. 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 NLT
Katie Langenhoven, Severn, Maryland,
“…I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13 ESV
Michele Steele,Towson, MD “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 6:9
NIV
Mary, Shreveport, Louisiana
Mark 12:30
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all you soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. ESV
Honor the Lord with your wealth and the first of all your crops.
Proverbs 3:9 CEB