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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Carla Enid, OK
I thank God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3 NCV
Narci, McKinney, TX “The moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength” Psalm 138:3 MSG
Decatur,AR
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
For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield. Psalm 5:12 NKJ
Leighanne – Bishop, GA
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18, ESV
Mary Joy, Dayton, OH. “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).
Taryn Schairer, Lititz, PA
” Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
Psalm 27:14 NIV
Alice Hobbs Willow Spring N.C. ROMANS13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God. KJ
Philippians 3:8 “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.”
Samantha, Bentonville, AR, “Blessed is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her.” Luke 1:45, NIV
Kyla, Tomball, Texas. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go. He is the one who will keep you on track. Proverbs 3:6 MSG.
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 NKJV
Ashley Morton, Spring City, TN, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 NIV
Wanda Parks, Baltimore, MD “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 perfecter 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.” Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
Suzy O’Rourke from Auburn, CA – “But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”(â€Isaiah‬ â€40‬:â€31‬ NLT)
Lindsey Herron, Atlanta, GA
Did I not command you? Be strong and courageous! Do not fear or be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 LEB
Stacey M,
Clayton, NC
PSALM 13:5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. Matthew 11 28-29
Emilee Hudson,Lebanon,Tn “For God so loved the world that he gave He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”. John 3:16 NKJV
Dana from Grenada, Mississippi
Romans 12:2 And be not 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. KJV
Kim Wren, Arlington, TX
For we live by faith, not by sight 2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV
Deena Kicera, Longmont, CO. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” Deuteronomy 6:4 ESV
Jennifer Miller – Victorville, CA :: “I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you. Don’t panic, I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I am your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady; keep a firm grip on you.” – Isaiah 41:10, Message
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men (Colossians 3:23 NIV)
Brooke, Kenton, Ohio “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Phillipians 1:6 ESV
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” (â€Psalm‬ â€92‬:â€12-15‬ NIV)
James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. (Esv)
DeAnne, Talmage, KS “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 ESV
Nicole, Bradenton,Fl. “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV
Delores, St. John’s, NL – “But he knows the way that I take, when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 NIV
Jeannette Bonanno, Brewster, New York. “The Lord your God is in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” NKJV
~ Perri Lee, Shallowater, TX:
“For I know the plans I have for you, ” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. ~ Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:16 NIV
SusanGlynn Lawrenceburg, IN
“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
Forgot to add
Mandy Helm
College Station, TX
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NIV
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Peg Rankin,Trimont,Mn “Take my yoke and learn from me. I am gentle and humble in heart. And you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 NIV
Ashlynne Reynolds, New Waverly, TX. “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)
Maya, Dallas, Tx, Psalm 77:11 CEB, “But I will remember the Lord’s deeds, yes I will remember your wondrous acts from times long past.”
“Be alert and of a sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
Bethany. Kennewick, WA. “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” Hebrews 10:24
Rebecca, Chattanooga, TN
Some will say, ‘I belong to the Lord’; others will call themselves by the name of Jacob; still others will write on their hand, ‘The LORD’s’ and will take the name Israel.
Isaiah 44:5 NIV
Psalm 107:1 NIV
Give thanks to the Lord,
for He is good.
His love endures forever.
Sue Rylko, Wheaton, IL “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us — yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 91:17 NIV
Laura Utica Michigan
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their need, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)
“God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT
Melissa T, N. Ridgeville, OH
Isaiah 40:31 NLT “But those who trust in the lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
~Cindy Whitsett, Georgetown, Ohio
“My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart. He is mine forever.” Psalm 73:26 (MSG)
Suzi, Pa.
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:32 NIV
Shallowater, Texas
“The Lord turned to him and said, Go on the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hands. Am I not sending you?” Judges 6:14. NIV