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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cindy from Houston, TX: “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.” 1 Corinthians 2:12 NKJV
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.” Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV
Katrinna, Bossier City, LA, “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Galatians 5:16 NIV
my name is Nikkie Ellis and I am from Las Vegas, NV. This is the verse I have chosen to memorize: Isaiah 41:13 – For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Deidre King, St.Paul MN. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV.
Donna-Tampa, FL
Show me your ways O Lord, teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation, on you I wait all the day.
Psalm 25:4-5
NKJV
Carrie Lassiter, Corinth, TX.
11 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 29:11New International Version (NIV)
Sarah Morris Leander, TX
Seek his will in all you do and he will lead your path. Proverbs 3:6
(This is an amazing way to look at life.)
Be Still and know that I am God. Isaiah 46:10. NIV
Ana, Bradenton,FL. “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror”James 1:23 NIV
Ruth Basse, Bartlett, TN Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.
Debbie Rooney, Portland, TX “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God Almighty.” Jeremiah 15:16 NIV
Wanda, Houston Texas, Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give your the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NKJ
Michelle, Vienna, West Virginia – Isaiah 43:18-19, NIV
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
Darcy Caves
FE Warren AFB Cheyenne, WY
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12 ESV
Tiffini Hart, Overland Park, KS
“Do not conform any longer 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.
Melissa McCarty
Flowood, MS
Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness.
Psalm 150:1-2 (NIV)
Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer
Pam Wynne, AR
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)
Krystal Kearney, Oviedo, FL – “For you Lord, bless the righteous one; You surround him with favor like a shield.” Psalm 5:12 HCSB
“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm46:10 NIV
Amy Campbell from Greensboro, NC 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” NIV
Rebecca, Loudon tn
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in Love. Ephesians3:17 kjv
Patti R – Niles, MI
Philippians 4:4-5. NIV “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
Rachel, Springfield, TN
“For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” Psalm 84:11 NLT
Jeanne Bergeron – Nederland, TX For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgement. 2 Timothy 1:7 HCSB
Debra Henage, Auxvasse, Mo.
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust”.
Psalm 91:1-2
Rachel Penna, Stony Point, NY
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” -Matthew 6:21 NKJV
Eph 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Cherri Bailey, Smyrna, GA – “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 ESV
Erin Denny, Carrollton, TX. “Be strong and have strength of heart. Do not be afraid or shake with fear because of them. For the Lord your God is the One Who goes with you. He will be faithful to you. He will not leave you alone.” ~Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLV)
Allison Brown – Austin, TX
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead… 1 Peter 1:3 ESV
Michelle McCann , Madden, MS. “Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged ,for The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” HCSB
Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exist and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Reba, Houston TX, “Jesus wept.” John 11:35 NIV. Short, simple but, MAJOR
word to my heart
Cynthia, Brooklyn Park, MN
“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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2a NIV)
Laura, Decatur IL
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline. 1 Timothy 1:7 NLT
Rita, Perrysburg, Ohio
Forget the former things;do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it?I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18,19 NIV
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. (â€Psalms‬ â€119‬:â€105‬ NASB)
Christelle, Delafield, Wisconsin
“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life -of whom shall I be afraid?” Ps 27:1 NIV
Edmond, OK Matthew 22:37-39 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Candice, Annapolis, MD “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 NIV
Jessica Pero, Akron, OH-
The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
Proverbs 14:1 (NIV)
Ashley, Alexandria, La.
“This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” (Hebrews 6:19 NLT)
Celeste from Brookhaven, MS
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (â€Philippians‬ â€4‬:â€8‬ NIV)
Angela Sedberry, Benton, LA – “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 learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect”. (â€Romans‬ â€12‬:â€2‬ NLT)
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10 NIV
Orange City, IA
Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.
Isaiah 25:1 (NIV)
Johannah, Alexandria, LA
“Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.” â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€19‬ NKJV
Sara Parker, Houston, TX – We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV)