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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gail
McDonough,Ga
Many are the plans in a persons heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Jilian Brown, Lewisville, TX
1 Peter 3:10-11 Whoever desires to love life
and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
Margaret Starkey, Sammamish, Washington.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
Meredith
Trabuco Canyon, CA
John 10:10 ESV: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Stacey – Houston,TX – It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. – Deuteronomy 31:8. ESV
Jill Capote, Trabuco Canyon, CA
Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord. – Luke 1:45 NKJV
Deanna. Corona, Ca. Lamentations 3:22. Because of the Lords great love, we are not consumed for his compassions never fail. NIV
Diana, St. Louis, MO, “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
Catrina Marshall, Ft Worth, Texas. “Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.” Ephesians 4:1
Persida from Lancaster, PA: Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked, or stand in the way sinners take, or sit in the company of mockery, but his delight is in the law of The Lord, and who meditates on this law day and night. Psalm 1:1-2
Tami M. Meadville, PA
“Finally, brothers, 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.” Phil 4:8 NIV
Glenda, Albuquerque, NM See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness & streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19 NIV
Patsy Black, Dasher, GA
I will praise you as long as I live,
lifting up my hands to you in prayer. Ps. 63:4 NLT
Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. – Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
Dawn York – Benton, KY
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17. NIV
Elizabeth Dingus.. Lebanon Mo… Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; Patient in tribulation; continuing instant in Prayer.. Romans 12:12 KJV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Jamie Tait, Suwanee, GA “So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.” 1 Peter‬ â€5‬:â€6-7‬ the Message
Jessica Dean, Alexander City, AL. “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8; NIV
Cherea Banik, Mobridge, SD, Exodus 13:17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” NIV
Ali R in Chandler, AZ. “Commit to the LORD whatever you do and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
Adrian, Hendersonville, NC- “You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.” Psalms 65:11 NLT
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength” Isaiah 30:15 NOV
2Cor 12:9 And He said to me “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” NKJV
Acts 2:21
And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name of The Lord shall be saved.
Lauren Warner, Houston tx, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians‬ â€2‬:â€20‬ NLT
Jeanna Lichtenberg
La Vista, NE
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 NIV
Lawton, MI Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. Philippians 4:8 NIV
Monica, Grand Forks, ND
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Ephesians 5:1-2 NASB
Dee Flores Albuquerque, NM.
I am going to do something new. It is already happening. Don’t you recognize it? I will clear a way in the dessert. I will make rivers on dry land.
Isaiah 43:19 GW
Heidi Leatherland. Broken Arrow, OK. 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 ESV
Connie, lebanon, ohio,
The lord is faithful; he will strengthen and guard you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NKJV
Luke 45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”
Katherine Kinley,Des Moines, Iowa
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight”
Proverbs3:5-6 NASB
Tammy Churchill, Monroe, Michigan. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 NIV
Tracey Murray, Brisbane (Australia). “And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” 2 Peter 1:4 NLT
Karen Denner, Irvington, KY,
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 niv
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence, and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, (â€Philippians‬ â€1‬:â€9-10‬ ESV)
Karol Cunningham, Springfield – Mo
“For the eyes of The Lord range throughout the earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His.
2 Chronicles 16.9 (Holman)
Sondra Harrington, Denton, Texas. “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Colossians 3:23 NLT
Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. Philippians 4:8
Vicki, Greeley, CO. “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
Amber, San Angelo, TX. “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
Emily Brown, Painesville, OH.
“Joshua told the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.'” -Joshua 3:5 NIV
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8
Pat S Burlington, VT May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. I Thess. 5:23 NIV
Randi Kirkpatrick, Artesia, NM
To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 PETER 5:11
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13, 14 NIV