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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Humble,Texas
James1:22 MSG
Do not fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. ACT on what you hear!
Jennifer- Peoria, IL Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Julie Richardson from Grand Rapids, MI:
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”
—Ephesians 3:20 NIV
Jessica Medley, Colorado Springs, CO. “As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everythingwe need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness” 2 Peter 1:3 NLT
Stephanie, Salem, OR – Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. I Peter 1:13 (NIV)
Mary McGrath, Independence, Mo
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,” 1 Corinthians 6:19 ESV
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” Psalms 32:8. NASB
Tiffany Anderson
Sneads, FL
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 NLT
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 4:12-13 NIV
Sherri Holston, Edwardsburg, MI- “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV
Hope for this new year!
“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”.
Isaiah 40:31
Crandall, TX
Grand Prairie, TX
Proverbs 14:29
“Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick tempered displays folly”
Barbara Carson
Pearland, Texas
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34. NIV
Peggy
Lanett, AL
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author & perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2 NIV
Ruth Glen Ellyn,IL – John 16:33 HCSB
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”
Teach me, O Lord, to follow every one of your principles. Psalm 119:33 NIV
Abilene TX “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. NAS
Leslie, Portland, Tennessee “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
Patty from Fairfax, VA….Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. Psalm 119:18 NIV
Liesl Haupert, Huntington, Indiana
“Let the message of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, with gratitude in your hearts.” Colossians 3:16 NIV
Kristi – West Monroe, LA
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13 NLT)
Lisa Barber, Taylosville, NC
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26 KJV
Norman, OK
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14, 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 dessert
Isaiah 43:19
but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (â€Hebrews‬ â€3‬:â€13‬ NKJV)
Kim Bignon – Orlando, Florida
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”
Philippians 2:13 NIV
Esther Evans, Skaneateles,New York.
” Fear not for I Am with you, be not dismayed for I Am your God, I will strengthen you,and help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10. NIV
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (â€Jeremiah‬ â€29‬:â€11‬ NKJV)
God thinks about each one of us personally EVERY DAY. His wants the best for His children. With this verse He is assuring us of that. He wants us to know He wants good for us, He wants us to have peace. We have HOPE in Him & He IS our future. This my favorite verse God always manages to send this verse to me when I need it most!!
Heather- Brenham, TX-
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17 NKJV
Katie, Muncie, Indiana: “For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV
Jill May, Houston, Texas. “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” NIV
Heidi Bennett, Round Rock, TX
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. (â€Colossians‬ â€3‬:â€16‬ ESV)
Megan – Tyler, TX
“Wait for the Lord; be strong & take heart & wait for the Lord.”
Psalm 27:14 NIV
Rhonda, Fargo, ND
In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:6 NIV
Andrea, Orlando
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Revelation 21:1 NIV
Mandy, Edmond OK, “I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1 ESV
“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
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keep the the law, happy is he. PRO VERBS 29:18 KJV
Kacey, Bend, OR
2 Corinthians 12:9,10 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”(ESV)
Melissa, Xenia, OH
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near
(James 5:7-8 NIV)
For you were called to be FREE, Siesta;
only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh,
but serve one another through love.
Galatians 5:13 HCSB
Sue Sheridan, Arkansas. “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
Blanca Smith – San Antonio, TX
Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 NLT
Beth Donchai, London, Ontario, Canada. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 ESV
Lisa Espinoza, Parker, CO
“Along unfamiliar paths I will guide you; I will turn the darkness into light before you and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake you.”Isaiah 42:16
Molly Olson- Logan, Utah. “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:16-18 (NIV)
Mary, Kearney, Missouri
“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10 The MEssage
Julie, Clymer, NY.
That each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable.
1 Thessalonians 4:4
Linda Pierson, Las Vegas, Nevada – I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 NIV