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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rita Lancaster, Harrison, Arkansas – 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
Emily, Oxford, MS
“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.” Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
Sarah C, lino lakes MN
“If anyone considers himself religious and does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless” James 1:26 NIV
“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
Lynn Greene, Shelby, NC – “Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours”. Mark 11:24 NIV
Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (â€Luke‬ â€1‬:â€38‬ NKJV)
Fran, Stedman NC
“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
Xenia, Oh
Philippians 4:6,7 (NIV)
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 19:26, “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Robin, Suffolk, VA – ” We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Cor. 4:8 NIV
Jenny, Chardon, OH “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seem is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” NIV
Toni, Madisonville, KY- “A final word: be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10,11 NLT
Suzette NeSmith,from Franklinton, Louisiana, Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints,and of the household of God; Eph2:19 KJV
Sara Taylor, Rockwall Texas
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. Proverbs 31:11
Romans 8:15-18 KJV
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Mary,Pine Bluff,AR
“I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.”
Psalm 91:2 KJV
Ashley Schenck, Fishers, IN Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. NIV
Alaina
Tyler, TX
John 15:19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As is it, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
NIV
Be humble, and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Always keep yourselves United in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace. Ephesians 4:2-3 NLT
Catherine, Detroit, MI.
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2 NIV
Claire Donovan, Atlanta, GA
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12, NIV)
Mays Landing, NJ
So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. Colossians 2:10 NLT
Julie Jones, Knoxville, TN: Psalm 91:1-2 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of The Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ ” NIV
Edna
Columbus ,Ohio
Romans 8:1-2: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
NAS
So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NKJV
Washington,NC
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
Hebrews 4:12-3 NIV
Julie R, Knoxville, TN — But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 ESV
Brenda, Bakersfield, Ca- The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34: 18 NASB
Lisa Butler, Kansas City, Missouri
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV
Tami, Kodiak, Alaska-
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 KJV
Patty A – OK
Give careful thought to the
paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your Proverbs 4:26
Rachel in Dallas, Texas
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Julie Bruinius, Chicago, IL – “My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek.” Psalm 27:8 NIV
Laura in Piney Flats, TN.
“Be silent before the LORD and wait expectantly for Him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the man who carries out evil plans.
Refrain from anger and give up YOUR rage; do not be agitated, it can only bring harm.
But the humble WILL inherit the land and will enjoy abundant prosperity.”
-Ps 37: 8,9, & 11. HCSB
(Long. But surrendering a long-term situation to Him who IS able.)
Melissa Reeves
Canal Fulton, OH
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!” -Luke 1:45 NIV
Debbie, Orlando
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Romans 1:20 NIV
Cindy Paul, Shreveport, Louisiana “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
Cheryl, Farmington, Arkansas – For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. NAS
Psalm 73:26 (ESV)
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength[a] of my heart and my portion forever.
Kathleen
St. Louis, MO
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us”
Romans 8:18 NIV
Thank you for being a Godly woman and an encourager to your Sista’s.
Missy Lewis, Haskell, TX
“Direct my footsteps according to Your Word; Let no sin rule over me.”
Psalm 119:133 NIV
Jennifer, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 NLT
“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV
LaDonna Rogers, Brandon, MS: My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him is my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken. Psalm 62:1-2 NASB
Ashley Ehrlick, Billings, MT – “Above all else, guard your affections. For they influence everything else in your life.” Proverbs 4:23 The Living Bible
Jessica, London, KY: Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 1 Peter 3:1-2 NIV
Amy Wilbanks, Baton Rouge, Louisiana “I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1-2 NIV
Robin Korody, Las Cruces, NM. “Don’t be concerned about outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” 1 Peter 3:3-4, NLT
Susan – Murfreesboro, TN – Cause me to hear Your loving kindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You. Psalm 143:8 NKJV