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) Ā 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 ofĀ 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 areĀ 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:Ā
Your name, city, verse (written all the way out), reference, and translation.Ā
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 citizensĀ with the saints and members of the household of God.”Ā 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 householdĀ all we’ve got. Christ is so altogether worthy.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! One last thing before I say Go!Ā 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 upĀ on the SSMT informational comments. Ā 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. Ā I know it’s a bit complicated at first! Hang with it!Ā So sorry for your extra trouble!
Hey, I am so glad you’re doing this with us. So much love to you.
OK, GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jenell Bender, Springfield, MO ~ “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16 ESV
Shelley Candy, Bainbridge PA- Hebrews 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.- NASB
Shiffra Nimz Kalamazoo MI 1 Corinthians 2:9 “But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” (ESV)
Christy Irwin, Granger, IN – 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)
Rochelle Hoffman Smiths Grove, KY “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV
Amanda Lebow… Brevard, North Carolina. “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.” Philippians 2:13 NLT
Brooke, Mobile, AL – “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
Cherilyn, Oberlin OH. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (āPsalmsā¬ ā1ā¬:ā1-2ā¬ KJV)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 ESV
Amy, Little Rock, AR. “I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works.” Psalm 139:14, NARV
Carol from Conyers, GA. “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 NIV
Kristina Sedberry Garland, TX – “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:7 NIV”
Joy French-Georgetown, Tx. I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. Psalm 30:1 NIV
Blessings to you sweet Beth!!!
Patti P, Berkeley Heights, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9, NIV.
Lori Miller, Moorefield WV
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. 1 Peter 5:6
Whitney Holder, Wilmington, NC. “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7, NASB
Sheryl M, Schroeder, MN
He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:32 NIV
Wende Preaskorn, Bridgeport, WV, “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV. (The Hebrew Shema āŗļø)
Datil,nm
Galatians 1:3
KJV
Grace be with you and peace to you From God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ !
Carey C, Katy, tx. “Blessed is the man whose sin The Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.” Psalm 32:2 (NIV)
Jenna French Reidsville, North Carolina- “Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:30-31 (NLT)
Susan from Emmaus, PA
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Cor. 15:58 ESV
Christy Hamrick, Shelby, North Carolina-“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14, NIV
Annette Correll. Gilbert, Arizona.
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, āAbba, Father.ā Romans 8:15 NIV
Shelley S. Lebanon, Tennessee- Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
Marie Markward. Van Wert, OH. Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13. NET
Marie, I just posted and your post was right above mine, one of my favorite verses. But your last name jumped out at me as I am a Markward too! Just never see our name too many places! God Bless you in this journey!!
Julie, Pine Bluff, Though the fig tree doesn’t bud & there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails, & the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen, & no cattle in the stalls, yet I will triumph n Yahweh. I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! Habakkuk 3:17-18 HCSB
JULIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was scrolling through to see if my January 1 post actually posted to get me registered AND I see your beautiful face!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay, now we are PW sisters and siesta’s!!! š Oh and if you happen to see my post could ya let me know!
We got it, Heather! 11:09pm on the 1st. š
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1
The beginning of a new year…
Melody, Castle Rock, CO – “Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other’ I am God, and no one is like me.” – Isaiah 46:9 (HCSB)
Gretchen, Gahanna, Ohio
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
Matthew 7:24-25 NIV
Tracy T., Columbus, GA. “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
Mary from Novi, MI. “Give your burdens to The Lord and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Psalm 55:22 NLT
Elizabeth from Blue Ridge, Georgia Let Your face shine upon Your servant, save me in Your unfailing love. Psalm 31:16 NIV
Kim West; Corryton, TN. Proverbs 19: 21 “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” ~ NIV
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
Ramona, West Chazy, NY “Be completely humble and gentle; patient, bearing with one another in love. Eph. 4:2(NIV)
Melanie Bates, Houston, TX. “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
Sue, Derby,Ks. Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory, honor and power. You created all things and by your decision they are and were created. Rev 4:11. CEV
My favorite verse-About time I memorize it! For I know the plans I have for you,ā declares the Lord, āplans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Michelle Megehee, Chelsea, Alabama.
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
Romans 8:26 ESV
Mia Claire Lebow… Brevard, North Carolina. “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.” Philippians 2:13 NLT
Brentwood, TN – His divine power has given to us all things that pertains to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which has been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may become par takers of the divine nature. 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NKJV)
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with graditude in your hearts to God
Jeannine Hric, Newfoundland, NJ
And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised.
ā2 Corinthiansā¬ ā5ā¬:ā15ā¬ HCSB
Birmingham, AL
Philippians 2:14-15 (NET)
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world
Lisa Howser, Louisville, KY “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Stephanie Benedict, Cape Canaveral, FL
The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
Deuteronomy 32:8 NASB
Erica Hughes, Loganville, GA “May the Lord show you his favor and give you His peace.” Number 6:26, NIV
Francie Foster, New Castle, VA. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. James 3:17 NLT