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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Christina Harris in Fayetteville, NC
“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.” 1 Peter 1:6
Rebecca Lawton~ New Bern,N.C.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Phillipines 4:6-7 NLT
Virginia Beach, VA
Ezekiel 36:26 (New Living Translation)
And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Romans 12:12 ESV)
Lynette Thornborough Fayetteville, GA
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:7,8 NIV
Jeanette, York PA: seek his will in all you do and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:6 LA
Laina Humphrey, Astoria, Oregon
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Romans 12:2 NIV
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
NKJV
Sharon Mills
Henderson, NV.
PH 4:12-13 NIV
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 NIV
Danette Schartz “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” Isaiah 43:25 NIV
Big Rapids, Michigan. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
So I say, live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of a sinful nature. Galatians 5:16 NIV
Ruth Schipper, Plymouth, MI
But Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.” Exodus 14:13-14 (NRSV)
Lauren Cranford- Chapel Hill, NC
“For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.” 2 Corinthians 1:20 ESV
Hebrews 5:7-8 While Jesus was here on earth, He offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could deliver Him out of death. And God heard His prayers because of His reverence for God. So even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. Hebrews 5: 7-8
Betsy Riner, Statesboro, GA, Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path., Psalms 119:105, NIV
Deanna Jones, Lonsdale, MN~ Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.” NKJV
“the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:26 NIV
For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Philippians 2:13 NIV)
Lindley Hudson, Newnan, Georgia
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16 ESV)
Virginia Grounds, McKinney, Texas
“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 NAS
Casi Ivey, Lebanon, TN “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 NIV
Erin George – Columbus, OH
“During those days, I, Daniel, went into mourning over Jerusalem for three weeks. I ate only plain and simple food, no seasoning or meat or wine. I neither bathed nor shaved until the three weeks were up.” Daniel 10:2-3
I am embarking on a 21 day fast to begin 2015. In an in a quiet season with the Lord – yet I need desperately to hear from him about a few things, as well as receive physically healing. I want to create space in my mind (and stomach) for this. I’m beginning with this verse to remind myself what I am doing and why.
I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. Lev 26:12 NIV
Goodlettsville, TN “Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it’s own.” Matthew 6:34
Haley Soles, Wilmington, NC “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” -Luke 16:10
Teena Lubojacky, Cypress, Texas. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God.” Philippians 4:6 NKJV
Kathryn, Opelika, AL
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 NKJV
Olivia and daughter Bentleigh, Madison, MS,
‘Not that I have now attained this ideal, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of grasp and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus the Messiah has laid hold of me and made me His own.’ Philippians 3:12 amp version
Psalms 51:10 NIV
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
I want to walk with the Lord today, tomorrow and always
JLynn Cooper – Winters, TX. Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; Do not be
Discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with
You wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV
Amy-Jo Girardier, Nashville, TN. But I trust in you, Lord;
I say, “You are my God.” Psalm 31:14 HCSB
Christi Messinger, Hurst Texas “Since he did not spare even his own son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” Romans 8:32 NLT
Sarah Anderson, Middleville, MI
James 3:17 ESV
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)
Kathryn from Pawnee, Texas: “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” NASB
Nicole Corey, Missoula, MT
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. (Proverbs 16:3 ESV)
Nicole//Dallas// “Nothing should be done because of pride or thinking about yourself. Think of other people as more important than yourself.” Philippians 2:3
Ella Fullerton, St. Augustine, FL
“Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.” Ephesians 5:10 NLT
Andrea, Louisville, KY
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
Shirla Blackwell, McAllen, TX. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 ESV
Orlando, Fl. Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceieved, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. Isaiah 64:4 NIV
Montgomery, AL
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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. Phillipians 4:6-7. NIV
Kristen from Erie, PA: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV.
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; $ shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 KJV
Kristi Gibb, Missouri City, TX
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3: 22-23 ESV)
Katy, Texas
…and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31, NASB
Prince Albert, Sk., Canada ‘Oh, sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord, all the earth!’ Psalm 96:1 ESV
Heidi, Atlanta, 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. (Isaiah 43:19 ESV)