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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dani Turner, Greer, SC “And my God will supply all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” NASB
Dani Turner, Greer, SC “And my God will supply all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NASB
Catherine, Frisco, Texas. “Don’t be afraid for I am with you! Don’t be frightened for I am your God! I strengthen you – yes, I help you – yes I uphold you with my saving right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NET.
Lori Anthony, Pine River, Minnesota
“I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and in His word do I hope.” Psalm 130:5 NASB
Chris Floyd, Kokomo, IN The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10 NKJV
Audrey, Ohio
Psalm 24:10 NIV
“Who is He, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty-
He is the King of glory.”
Eniola Harrison, Lagos Nigeria
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Joshua 1:5 ESV
Judy Bailey, Panama City, Fl. “I have carried you since you were born; I have taken care of you from your birth. Even when you are old, I will be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you, and will take care of you. I will carry you and save you.” Isaiah 46:3-4. NCV
Amy, Sebring, FL, Set your mind on things above, not on earthy things. Colossians 3:2
Mandy Cook, Erwin, TN: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Renee DeJarnette, Alexandria, Kentucky
Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love,so that we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. Psalm 90:14 NLT
Love this verse…delights my heart! We live in Alexandria too. Looking forward to sharing this journey with you, neighbor!
Stephanie Peterson, El Cajon, California. “The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.” Isaiah 50:4 NIV.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 NIV
Carrie, Atlanta, GA
“Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk and live in Your truth; Direct me and unite my heart [solely, reverently] to fear and honor Your name.” Psalm 86:11 (Amplified)
Robin Spires, Pendleton, IN. “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18 NIV
Sharon Hyde, Independence, Missouri, “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 â€29‬:â€11‬ NLT
Margaret E, Houston, “Forget the former things, do not dwell in the past.” Isaiah 43:18, NIV
Tammy Bass from Boiling Springs, NC “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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
Hey, Tammy! Excited to see your name and verse!
Cindy Cabaniss
Jen from Wyoming
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
Jane Waddel, Lincoln, NE, “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 12:2 (NIV)
Jan Morton
Hawkinsville, GA
2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.
So good to see you Mayor. 🙂
Sheryl Blake, Niles, MI “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,” I Peter 1:3
Katie Gunser, Levittown, PA — He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (â€Psalm‬ â€91‬:â€1-2‬ ESV)
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Ephesians 4:31 NIV
Sarah Miller, New Palestine, IN
God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. (â€Psalm‬ â€46‬:â€5‬ NIV)
“I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.”Job 23:12 NIV
Carrie Guion, Wentzville, Missouri
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. Ten you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing. Romans 12:2 NLT
Liz, North Carolina “This is what the Lord says: Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths where the good way lies and walk in it and you will find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16a NRSV
Kim, Warrensburg, MO.
Yet 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
Valerie, Falmouth, Michigan
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
Philippians 2:3 NASB
Charlotte Skadal, Houston, Texas “When we worship the right way, God doesn’t stir us up into confusion; He brings us into harmony.” (1 Corinthians 14:33 The Message)
Dina from Orlando, FL — Hebrews 4:16, NIV: Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Debby Conway, Clinton Mississippi
The Lord is my STRENGTH and my SONG and he has become my salvation, this is my God and I will praise him, my father’s God and I will exalt HIM Exodus 15:2 AMP
I love this verse!
Jennifer May, Deepstep, GA, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” Colossians 3:23 KJV
Jen Dakin, Kenton, OH. “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”” Luke 1:45 NIV
Krista Heres Winchester, Va “For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, (hostile) powers, height or depth, or any created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!” Romans 8:38-39 HCSB
Love this!
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.
Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble. Psalm 119:165 (NKJV)
Dee Dee Fernandina Beach, Fla
So I trust in Him absolutely, people; lay your lives on the line for Him. God is a safe place to be.
Psalm 62:8 The Message
Anita, Lawrenceville. “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” Jude 24-25 ESV
Lauren, Valrico, Florida “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 â€43‬:â€19‬ NLT
DeeDee Baker, Abilene, Tx
It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. Psalm 18:32 NIV
Donna Cann, Bishop, Texas
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. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€19‬ NLT)
Lin Wilson, Kenosha, WI
Proverbs 22:3 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. NLT
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. NIV
Pam Pickett, Signal Mountain, TN. “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 NIV
Love this verse. Adding to my list for future.
Maureen, Royal Oak, MI
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1Peter 5:7 NIV
Tanya Butts, Lexington, SC. “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:24 NIV
Tammie Wood, Whitwell, Tennessee. “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” Psalm 34:17 KJV
Laura Andres, Bryan, Ohio: Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1Peter: 5:6 NIV
Bronya, Perth, Western Australia :: Ephesians 4:29 ESV :: Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.