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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dallas, GA
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” Hebrews 6:10 NIV
Kari Altorfer, Morton, IL
“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
Kim Bulles Yorktown VA
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Laurie Bishop. Niceville, Florida. 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (â€2 Corinthians‬ â€12‬:â€9‬ ESV)
Carla Longshore, Dothan, AL-“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 NIV
Kathy Overfelt Jasper Missouri Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3 NASB What a great place for me to begin! 🙂
Elizabeth Steed, Dallas, “Let no debt remain outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8 NIV
Deborah, Glasgow, Scotland. “In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short.” Proverbs 24:14 (NLT)
Jackie Watson, Marietta, Ga. “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 NLT
Danika Ennis, Indianapolis, Indiana. “Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” Psalms‬ â€27‬:â€14‬ NLT
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the house hold of God- Eph 2:19 esv
Lois Walker Owosso, MI
“Taste and see the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him! ” Psalm 34:8 NLT
Trust in The Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5. NLT.
Gina Martinez, Victorville, California. “Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalms 37:4 NASB
Debi Carroll, Wills Point, Texas. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:17,18 NIV
Shara C. Rockville, MD. Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near. Isaiah 55:6
Judy Fischer from Victorville CA
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, Philippians‬ â€2‬:â€3‬ NIV
Tammy,Beavercreek, OH – “Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3
Martha Basler. Houston, Tx. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Phil. 2:5 (KJV)
Carolyn Marlowe, New Port Richey, FL “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 NASB
Nancy Alexander. Mobile, AL.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
the new creation has come:
The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Sherry Bolander, Burlington, Iowa. “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” Isaish 48:17 NIV Starting the New Year Right.
Annie Taylor, Fairborn, OH. Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives. Titus 3:14 NIV
Jan McClure, Lexington,KY. “Blessed. Is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.” Psalm 1:1 NKJV
Brigette Brock
Morehead, Ky
In prayer for my loved ones:
(I) “ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of The Lord and please Him, in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. ”
Colossians 1:9,10 NIV
Jeremiah 29:10-14
10 For thus says the Lord, When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you and keep My good promise to you, causing you to return to this place.
11 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
12 Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you.
13 Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
14 I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will release you from captivity and gather you from all the nations and all the places to which I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I caused you to be carried away captive.
“Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they will mount up with wings as eagles, they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
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. Isaiah 40:31 NLT
Cindy Womble, Chiang Mai, Thailand “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 43:19 NLT
Kim E., Bennett, Ia
“Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.” Ps. 74:12, ESV
Katie Keller, Chicago, IL. “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV
Lorie McFee, Weaverville, NC “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:7 NLT
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue,and those who love it will eat it’s fruit.” NKJV
Kim Chajkowski, Urbana, Ohio, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1:3, ESV
Beverly. Gloucester, VA – Those who get wisdom do themselves a favor, and those who love learning will succeed. Proverbs 19:8 (NCV)
Angela Hughes, Mershon,Georgia
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up.
James 4:10 KJV
Cheryl DeVuyst, Morrison, OK
” . . . 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
Jennifer Dishong, Amarillo, Texas. “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV
Lesley-Ann Browning, Daphne, Alabama. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. Psalm 91:2 NLT
Debbie Lopez, Hartselle,Al
Matthew 6:34 ESV- Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Valerie
Clinton, Me
“Let praise cascade off my lips; after all, you’ve taught me the truth about life!” ~Psalm 119:171
Mary Tomaselli, Humble, Tx -” Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deut 31:6 NIV
Sarah Sanderson. Indian Trail, NC “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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 1 Corinthians 12:8-9
Amber,Little Rock,AR, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”. Romans 12:1 ESV.
Lexi Meyer, Raleigh, North Carolina <3" But now you must put them away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth." Colossians 3:8 ESV
Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalms 25:4-5 NIV
Samantha, London UK. come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Mathew 11:28.
Kim from Pickerington, Ohio
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you are able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Jen Kuypers, London ON – Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Matthew 6:25(ESV)…planning on doing this whole section (vs 25-34) over the next couple of months so starting at the beginning! 🙂
Christy, Cincinnati, Ohio. “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” 1 John 5:21 (NLT)