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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lisa Bracy, Los Alamos,NM Ephesians 4:29- Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs , that it may benefit those who listen.
Nancy Ratliff, Concord, NC. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Julie, Monument, CO
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Jennifer H – Sun City, AZ
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. –
I Peter 2:9
Megan R, Houghton, NY- Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV.
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever, Amen
Donna, Grand Prairie, TX For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11 KJV
Proverbs 16:9
In his heart a man plans his course, but The Lord determines his steps.
Houston TX
Nancy Ratliff, Concord, NC. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. NLT
Jennifer – Norfolk, VA
Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)
Shinae Wyckoff, Owasso, Oklahoma. “…filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.” Col 1:9-12 NASB
Aurie, S. China, ME. “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Phil. 4:6 ESV
Candace L. – Henderson, Nevada
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3 NIV
Kori, Cabot, Arkansaas
“so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 NIV
Amanda, Chesapeake, VA – “If I speak the tongues of men or angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” 1 Corinthians 13:1
Nicole Gelvin- Blue Ridge Texas
“But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard but doing it- he will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:25 NIV
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
Catherine Price, Mandeville LA,
And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. -Colossians 3:14-15, NAB
Donna – Yorktown, VA
For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. (â€Psalm‬ â€63‬:â€7-8‬ ESV)
Amanda, Chesapeake, VA – “If I speak the tongues of men or angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” 1 Corinthians 13:1 NIV
Pamela Smith, Lafayette, Louisiana. “My brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.” Ephesians 6:10 NKJV
Joanna Armstrong, Bushland, Texas. See, the Lord your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the Lord, the God of your ancestors told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 1:21 NIV
Karin, Marble Falls, TX
I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand saying, to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13, modern English version
Donna, Athens, Georgia
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV (1984)
Jillian Marsh, El Dorado Kansas, “yes, Lord, walking in hype way of your laws, we wait on you. Your name and renown are the desires of my heart.” Isaiah 26:8 NIV
Ann S, Plano, TX – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Denise Quinn, Franklinton, NC “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
Courtney from Centreville, VA, “…The Lord is indeed going before you – he will be with you; he will not fail you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” Deut. 31:8 NET
My verse: Rev 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Lara
Irmo, SCBC
They they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom
and broke away their chains.
Psalm 107:13,14 NIV
“We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy.” Colossians 1:11 The Message
Claudia, Valrico Florida-Rejoice I hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 ESV
Amber Payne, Longview, TX: “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. ” Isaiah 43:19 KJV
Shannon Hodge, Springdale, AR “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Carolyn Brednich
Louisville, KY
“make it your goal to lead a peaceful life, mind your own business, and keep your hands busy in your work, as we have instructed. 1 Thessalonians. 4:11 (the voice version).
Nga Maurer, Houston, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” ESV
Casey – Shreveport, La
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
Ione -Lakeville, Mn.
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me”. (Philippians 4:13)
Katherine, Hoover, AL “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12, NIV
Trisha, Delleker, Ca. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1. HCSB.
Isaiah 43:18-19 “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” NIV
Donna S from Huntington, IN. “He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:11 NIV
Julie Fredenburg, Cape Girardeau, MO
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Chrissy D., Sacramento, CA
for we walk by faith, not sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV
Amy W., Ellijay, GA – Hebrews 13:20-21 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. II Corinthians 12:9
Tracy C, Hesperia, Ca
Then he continued, “Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.
Daniel 10:12 NIV
Cortez; Ephesians 2:19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household. NIV
Bev in Kansas “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Tammy, Delray Beach, Florida
“The LORD your GOD is with You,
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will comfort you with his love.
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17(NIV)