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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Korine Martinez, Santa Fe, TX Isaiah 41:10 ESV “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Dr. Wilma Arant, Swartz, La: “He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth: there is nothing false about him. John 7:18 NIV
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the NEW creation has come: The old has gone, the NEW is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4: 31-32 NIV
Tyra Sias, Atlanta, GA
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:6 NASB
Katrina, Oklahoma, “With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:10-11 ESV
Anne Lewis, Simpsonville, SC “But blessed is the one who trusts in Me alone; the Eternal will be his confidence. He is like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots beside the stream. It does not fear the heat or even the drought. Its leaves stay green and its fruit is dependable. no matter what it faces.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 The Voice
Lara J.
Boerne, Texas
If you, God, kept records of our wrongdoings, who would stand a chance? As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that’s why you’re worshiped! Psalm 130:2-4 MSG
Beth Brenneman, Ladera Ranch CA
“Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” Romans 8:5 NIV
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV
Tansy Hoppe. Crookston, MN
“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 HCSB
Dana Baran, Rogers AR. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain” Hebrews 6:19 NIV
Sarah, Brookhaven, MS…”The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” 1 Timothy 1:5 ESV
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV
Romans 12: 9-10
Let love be genuine hate what is evil,
Hold Fast to
what is good love one another with mutual
Affection outdo one another in showing honor.
NRSV
Gabby Lampron, Fleetwood, PA. Deuteronomy 6:5 NLT
You must love the Lord your God, with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.
Everything is permissible – but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible – but not everything is constructive. 1 Corinthians 10:23
A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.
Proverbs 21:2
Mary, Newton, KS, “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.” I Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV
Karen Douglass, Stevenson, WA
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 NKJV
Matthew 6:34 msg. Give your attention to what God is doing right now & don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Linda McCoy, Masontown, PA
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3
Kathy King Woodstock, Ga
Isaiah 55:11 ESV
So shall My word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11 ESV
Tanya P., Clovis, CA
“Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness: Come before His presence with singing.” Psalm 100:1-2
Emily Bell, Wilmington, North Carolina. “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart: I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:1-2 NIV
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. John 15:1 NIV
Kathy Q Jasper, TN “We can make our plans but The Lord determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NLT
Kristi Wile, Telford, PA
“Whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: ‘This is the way. Walk in it.'” Isaiah 30:21 HCSB
Clarissa Urbina, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Cait McCoy, Masontown, PA.
“However I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”
Acts 20:24, NIV
Darla G., Amarillo, TX Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is helpful. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not allow anything to control me. 1Corinthians 6:12 ISV
Beth Denman
Abilene, Tx
Blessed is the man who preserveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12
Colegeville,Pa Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace,that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hannah Riddering Tuscaloosa, Al. Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Isaiah 43:18 ESV
Ps 18:30 AMP
As for God, His way is perfect. The Word of Lord is tested and tried. He is a shield to all those who put their trust in Him.
Brooke McGillivray, Monroe, Oregon – 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 know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. Romans 12:2, NLT
Tracy McCoy, Locust Fork, AL, 1 Peter 5:7-8 King James Version (KJV) 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Winona, Desoto, Texas
For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD,’plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Christine Thurston, Gypsum, CO
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
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.
Louanna Werchan Miller, Monticello, Illinois. “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” Galatians 6:9 NASB
Laurie, Ocala, FL “For God did not send his Son into the world to condem the world, but that through Him the world might be saved.” John 3:17 NKJV
Christy, Hyderabad, India: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV
Madi Cole
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV
Jill, Missouri City Texas, A whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Virginia Beach, VA
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. (â€Jeremiah‬ â€29‬:â€11‬ NLT)
From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. (â€John‬ â€1‬:â€16‬ NLT)
michelle fogle, Gretna, Nebraska. Psalm 34: 1-2
Traci, Parkersburg, WV “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Ex 14:14 ESV
Cindy L.
Madison, AL
You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
1Thessalonians 5:5
NIV
Kris, Grandville, MI
“You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God. Psalm 119:114-115 NIV