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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sue, Park Rapids, MN.
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Phil. 4:13 EVS
John 10:27-30
My Sheep listen to my voice. I know them they follow me.
I give them eternal life and they will never perish.
No one can snatch them from my hand.
My Father who gave them to me is greater than all, and no one can snatch them out of my Fathers hand
I and my Father are one
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Proverbs 31:10. NIV
Melissa Tatum- Montgomery, Al
I’m praying not only for them But also for those who will believe in me Because of them and their witness about me. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind— Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, So they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me. The same glory you gave me, I gave them, So they’ll be as unified and together as we are— I in them and you in me. Then they’ll be mature in this oneness, And give the godless world evidence That you’ve sent me and loved them In the same way you’ve loved me. (â€John‬ â€17‬:â€20-23‬ MSG)
Karen, Trenton, OH Hebrews 6:19 HCSB
We have this as an anchor for our lives, safe and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.
Warrior, AL
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. James 2:1 ESV
Sara Harmon, Bangkok, Thailand “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 NIV
Sandi H. – Holt, MO – “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 wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Amanda Hodge, Sherman, TX!
“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV
Bill Verzi Austin, TX “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 NIV
Sonya; Atwater, Ohio
1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 (ESV)
“Rejoice Always, pray without ceasing.”
Gina. Collierville, TN.
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. (â€Galatians‬ â€5‬:â€1‬ NKJV)
“Thus far the LORD had helped us. ”
1 Samuek 7:12 NIV
Carrie Seggelke Bloomington IL
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Christi, Bentonville, AR -Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 ESV
Kathy from Lanagan Mo
(2 Corinthians 4:8-9) We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade–kept in Heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:3-4
Pennsylvania
Isaiah 30:15 (NIV)
In repentance and rest is your salvation;
In quietness and trust is your strength.
gina
morro bay, ca.
though you have not seen him- you love him
and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with
an inexpressible and glorious joy
1 peter 1:8
niv
Kaitaia, New Zealand – Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what the nature desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires Romans 8:5 niv
Teresa
Cartersville, GA
Psalms 1:1 NIV
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
Cindy, Sulphur,LA
“James,a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the 12 tribes in Dispersion. Greetings.”
James 1:1 (HCSB)
Melanie Hawkins, Houston,TX
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.”
Kathy- Denton TX
The Lord will fight for you, you only need to be still.
Exodus 14:14 NIV
Mandi, Cheney, KS – “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an unexpected end.” KJV
My daughter’s verse, she is doing this with me. Madilyn (10)
“For God loved the world so much that he gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NLT
Joan (Coppell, TX): For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. Psalm 71:5 NIV
Revelation 21:5
5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Courtney, Odessa, Texas. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV
Shannon, Houston, TX
“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” Philippians 4:6
Sonya Johnson, Cartersville, Georgia.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
Melanie Monroe, La.
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2 (KJV)
Kara Hodgkiss, Frisco, TX: “Humble yourself, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.” 1 Peter 5:6 NIV
The Lord will perfect that which concerteth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. Psalm 138:8
Denise T., Norman, OK- A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:13 NLT
Amy, Louisville, Tn
All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” And Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord . Exodus 19:8
Bluffton, Indiana
We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you. I Thes 1: 2-4 NIV
Hillary Hartline, Plant City, Florida. “Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help”. â€Hebrews‬ â€4‬:â€16‬ NET
Sarah
Portales, NM
Matthew 6:27 ESV
“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for The Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from The Lord as a reward. It is The Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
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
Donna Duke – Houston, Texas – “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, NKJV
Joyce ~ Bison, SD ~ “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.”
(Hebrews 12:1) NIV
I’m Connie from Atlanta, GA
Therefore do not not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34 NKJV
Bless The Lord Oh my soul
And all that is within me bless His holy name. Psalm 103:1
Lisa
West Columbia, Texas
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 NIV
Barb, Pittsburgh, Pa
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.” Psalm 84:5, 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
Tammy, Germantown, TN- may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. Ephesians 3:18 NIV
Tracy, Nashville, Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 NIV
Romans 12:2
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 Gods will is-his good,pleasing,perfect will.