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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Luci Maxwell, Iowa “I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize.” Philippians 3:12, CEV
Laurie, Stevenson Ranch, CA
“But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly” Hebrews 12:22 NIV
Verse: Psalm 138:2 NLT
I bow before your holy Temple as I worship.
I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness;
for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.
Kristine Pulver, Leo, Indiana
And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of The Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17 NIV
Becky Roode, Norfolk, Virginia: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a crowd of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 ESV
Julie Covington,La. “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)
Tamara
Bonnyville, Alberta
He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.
Psalm 18:9
Jamie Cormier, Lufkin Texas
“May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14, NLT
Psalm 19:14 KJV…”Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer “
Jackie Newell, Tupelo, MS. “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” John 15:16. NIV
Dawndra from Minneapolis, MN
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet[a] no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)
Sherri – Alvin, TX
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 NIV
Sonja Trei, Caracas Venezuela: “Most assuredly I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” John 14:12 NKJV
Melody Merchant. Bradshaw, NE. “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man”
“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.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Amy, Southaven, MS, Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians‬ â€1‬:â€6‬ NIV
Flo Jackson, TN.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10. (NIV)
Misty Sherman, Lingview, TX
“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.” (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€18-19‬ NIV)
Ginny Rassier Osceola, WI
“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.” (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€18-19‬ NIV)
Melissa E, Anna TX
“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
1Peter 1:13 NKJ
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. (â€Philippians‬ â€1‬:â€9‬ NLT)
Erin, Easley, SC,
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14 NIV
Chris Ussery, Spring Hill, TN
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,NIV
Ecclesiastes 3:11 KJV
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
Dover, AR ” Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.” Galatians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Sharon Loomis, Sweetwater, TN. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern if this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
Emma Reaney, Greenville, SC.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV
Shannon Callahan; Lexington, KY
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Megan Loscher
Quincy, Illinois
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans‬ â€15‬:â€13‬ ESV
Monica Kuebler, Centreville, VA. Humble yourselves therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you. 1 Peter 5:6 ESV
Dayton, Oh
In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6 kjv
Corley in Conway, AR:
“For you have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.
My soul clings to you; Your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63.7-8, NASB
Marilyn Blandford, Brockport, NY. “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8 NKJV
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will go with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Mande Brightwell, Longview, TX My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. Psalm 62 NIV
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 ESV
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sister, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable,–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy,—think about such things.
Nikki L.
Shady Spring, WV
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. (â€Psalms‬ â€51‬:â€12‬ NLT)
Heather Varon, North Richland Hills, Texas. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Angie Jennings, Alma, AR.
Isaiah 43:18-19
18 “Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
19 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.
Morgan, from Carencro, LA. “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 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 â€43‬:â€18-19‬ (ESV)
Keri Reaney, Greenville, SC: “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.” (â€Hebrews‬ â€4‬:â€16‬ NIV)
Jackson, TN
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. (â€1 Corinthians‬ â€9‬:â€24‬ NIV)
Rosemary Been, Centennial, Colorado
“I hear the tumult of the raging seas
as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.
But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life.”
Psalm 42: 7-8 NLT
Cindy Nevin, Northport, AL. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Proverbs‬ â€16‬:â€3‬ NIV)
Sandi Mitchell, Chantilly, VA. “Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.” Philippians 1:28 NLT
Renee Bloom, Maywood, New Jersey, “Brothers, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do; forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 NASB
Lori Brans
Richmond TX
Isaiah 45:22
Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth.
For I am God, and there is no other. (HCSB)
I chose this verse in honor of my son and his family who are missionaries in Central Asia.
A prayer of salvation for those they are in contact with.
And for lost loved ones.
Sarah, Maryville, TN
Isaiah 43:16-20
“Forget about what’s happened;
don’t keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?
There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,
rivers in the badlands.
Desiree, Dallas, Tx, 1 John 1:7, NKJV, “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIV So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Erin, Lubbock, TX
All scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 HCSB