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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me (I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency). Philippians 4:13 Amplified
Heather Lampron, Fleetwood, PA. Matthew 6:8 NIV
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Amanda, Dallas, TX “Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.” 1 Corinthians 10:24
Kristina, Franklin, TN
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.”
Romans 8:18 HCSB
YET I will rejoin in the Lord. NKJV Habakkuk 3:18
Nora Powell, Fort Lauderdale, FL
NIV Psalm 19:1
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Donna Allen, Longview, Texas The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:6 NIV
Dawn Cecil,Owensboro,Kentucky
Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Psalm 119:89
Sally Hilla, Mesa, Arizona. “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 ESV.
Terri White, Bartlett, TN “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peacefully with all.” Romans 12:18 (ESV)
Amanda Reynolds, New Waverly, Tx. “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)
Ali, Pittsburgh Psalm 145:8 (NET) “The Lord is merciful and compassionate. He is patient and demonstrates great LOYAL love.” (emp mine)
Sheila, Splendora, TX
Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (NIV)
Liz – Fort Worth, TX
Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thes. 5:18
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5,6
Sarah Jones
Livingston, TX
PROVERBS 8:7 CEV
I will always speak the truth & refuse to tell a lie.
Connie Jo Morgan Illinois,  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly Colossians 3:16a ESV
Elizabeth Gorden, Murfreesboro, TN
For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.
Psalm 36:9
Thalia, Kansas, 1 Corinthians 10:13 “no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” ESV
Sally Bradford, Mayfield KY For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope. Romans 15:4, ESV
Joy Michener Blasdell, NY. Jeremiah 33:3 Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. (NKJV)
Cindy Swinford, Providence Village,Texas (Dallas). “I’ve commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 CEV
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Proverbs 31:25-26
Leslie -Shreveport, LA
Numbers 6:24-26 NLT
May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.
You crown the year with your goodness and your paths drip with abundance. Ps 65:11 nas
Rachelle M, Fresno CA. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. James 4:8 NIV
Amy, Hobe Sound, FL “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 41:13 ESV
Erin from Zion, IL
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
James 1:19-20 NIV
Shelby, Washington, IN. Proverbs 31:25-27 NASB ” Strength and dignity are her clothing and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”
Lesley C.
Navarre, FL
5 Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ERV)
Hebrews 11:1 NASV
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Abbey, Atlanta, Georgia “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19 NIV
Jennifer S.
Stanley, NC
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
Jen R, Dayton, Ohio – “Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the Lord. (â€Isaiah‬ â€54‬:â€1‬ NIV)
Deborah, Titusville, FL. 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
Jenna McMurphy. New Orleans, LA.
John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” {NIV}
Tracey from Fort Worth, TX
that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and [f]the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.
Phil 3:10, NASB
Bonnie from Church Hill, TN
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
Judy, Crawfordsville, IN 1 Pet. 1:6 – 7 NIV
IN all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Julie Carwile- Owensboro Kentucky
I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency. Philippians 4:13
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. Psalm 4:8 NLT
Carla, LaFayette,Al.
If you love me, you will obey what I command. John 14:15 NIV
Bianca Ysabel Madrid, Artesia, New Mexico
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.”
Zechariah 4:10(NLT)
Lisa, Norman, OK 3 Do not let truth and mercy leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will find favor and good understanding, in the sight of God and people. Proverbs 3:3-4 NET
and the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26NIV
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Kelly Womack
Fort Smith, AR
Isaiah 55:6
“Seek the LORD while He may be found; call to Him while He is near.” HCSB
Angela Kim, Ashburn, VA:
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Colossians 2:-7 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness.
Pam, Liberty, Indiana
“Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will cary you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
Isaiah 46:4 (NIV)