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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tricia Brooks, Tallassee AL
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, NIV
Sara, Arlington Heights, IL- Philippians 4:8 (NIV) “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.”
Kim Rowles, New Port Richey, FL
“The Son reflects God’s own glory, and everything about Him represents God exactly. He sustains the universe by the mighty power of His command. After He died to cleanse us from the stain of sin, He sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God of heaven.”
Hebrews 1:3 NLT
Jan Jensen, Waterloo, IA. “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Mackenzie Messinger, Hurst, TX “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32- ESV
Patricia Horner, Roxboro, N.C.
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
Psalm 91:1-4
Melissa Hanthorn, St. Louis, MO
“Yes, I was angry for a moment, and I rejected you, but My love endures and I want you back.”
Isaiah 54:7
The Voice
Brenda Peters, Crosby, Texas. “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7 NIV
Leigh B., Miami, Oklahoma
Keep me as the apple of Your eye. Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, Psalm 17:8
Mary Van Meter, Villa Rica, Ga
I have asked one thing from the LORD; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the LORD and seeking Him in His temple.
Ps27/4 HCS
Phyllis North Vernon IN
Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
Hebrews 1:14 ESV
Jeannie, Montgomery Tx – He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NIV
Tanya Atwood
Tyler,Texas
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
2Corinthians5:17
NIV
Amber, Waco, TX
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
NIV
Cassaundra Kesterke, Leo, Indiana
“Trust in him at all times, O people. Pour out your hearts before him, for God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:8 esv
Robynn K. Rancho Cucamonga, CA
For I hold you by your right hand-I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. Isaiah 41:13 NLT
Stephanie
Baltimore, MD
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience
Colossians 3:12 ESV
Raquel
Argyle, TX
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 NKJV
“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
Mount Pleasant, TX
He choose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
James 1:18 NLT
Candy Vargas, Pearl, MS. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Chrissy Howard from Anna, Tx. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you Go. Joshua 1:9 Niv
Mindy Habelt, Williamson, Georgia
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
Marlene charles, Berthoud Co
My sons, be not now negligent: for the Lord hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him,and that ye should minister unto him and burn incense.
2 chron 29:11
Carolyn from Leawood, KS
“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
Debbie Giese, Waukesha, WI “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually.” Psalm 105:4 NRSV
1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 NLT
Donna Haak, Brownsburg, IN
The Lord protects the simplehearted, when I was in great need, he saved me.
Psalm 116:6 NIV
Dianne, Schnecksville, PA “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
“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.
Psalm 13:5-6 New International Version (NIV)
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.
We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy. Colossians 1:11 NLT
Holly Reynolds, McCordsville, IN. “I waited patiently for the Lord and he inclined unto me, and heard me cry.” Psalms 40:1
Erin Zachry. Crossroads, TX
1 peter 3:1-2 NASB
In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husband so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be own without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.
Rock Hill, SC
1 John 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. NKJV
Nikole
Maui, Hawaii
Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has promised to her will be accomplished. Luke 1:45 (NIV)
Starting the year believing God will accomplish great things for me and my family.
April, Seymour, TN -Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 NLT
Olton, Texas
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
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.
Jean Schlosser
Rubicon, WI
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. NIV
Susan from Lafayette, LA–If then you have not been faithful in handling worldly wealth, how can you be trusted with true wealth? Luke 16:11. GNT
Abby; Conroe Texas; “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV
Ceffie Haught Bridgeport, West Virginia
PSALM 62:5-7 NIV
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him, He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God, he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
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)
Melanie from West Columbia, SC “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
Amanda–Birmingham, AL
“Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion–do you think it makes that much difference? Matthew 6:27 The Message
Paula Hayes, Oklahoma City, The one who says he abides in Him (Jesus) ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. 1 John 2:6. NASB
Emily, Houston, TX
I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.
Leviticus 26:13 (NIV)
Give me understanding, that I may observe thy law, and keep it with all my heart.
Ps. 119:34 NAS