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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Whitney Laramore, Ames, OK
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 ESV
Katy, Excelsior Minnesota,
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Psalm 32:8 (RSV)
Tyler, Gainesville, Florida. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Melinda Utica New York,
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 NKJV
Carrie Nixon. Clayton, NC
“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. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€18-19‬ ESV)
Blenda Gann, Hattiesburg, MS
Galatians 3:14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
NIV
January 1,2015 at 10:10pm
Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. KJV
Brenda Ammons, Byhalia, MS Psalm 91:1 KJV “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”
Felicia Jackson, Fishers, Indiana
Preparing for His service and missions this year!
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (â€Ephesians‬ â€2‬:â€10‬ NKJV)
Lesli Downs, Tulsa, OK
Psalm 55:22
Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you;
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
Hannah, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:2 KJV
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.See, I am doing a new thing! Not 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
Petal, MS
Nita McAdoo, Murfreesboro, TN “I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:1-3 NIV
Jennifer Fairhope, AL
For we walk by faith, not by sight
2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV
Annette, San Antonio, TX. “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Silvia Morales, Tampa, Fl.
” For you are God, O Sovereign Lord. Your words are truth and you have promised these good things to your servant. ” 2 Samuel 7:28 NLT
J.J. E., Longmont, CO
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
9 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Rebekah Patin, Groves, Texas
Little Children, Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18 ESV
Patti from Ontonagon, MI
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of 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. NIV
Tammy Freed, Manteca, CA “Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 NASB
Ephesians 3:20
NIV
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
Barbie Burns, Milan, TN
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12 KJV
Shannon, Martinez, Georgia
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)
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Heb. 11:6 NAS
Linda Vartenisian, Prattville, AL There is hope in your future. Jeremiah 31:17
Jennifer, Senoia, 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:10-20 ESV
Kim Alford, Zebulon, NC
“Therefore a man shall leave his Father and Mother and hold fast to his wife,and the two shall become one flesh.” Ephesians 5:31 (ESV)
Robbi Schleicher, Glen Allen, VA
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Cor 5:17
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind
Ephesians 4:23
Patty shore. Bend Oregon
Romans 12:12 niv
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer
Natalie Marquis, Ocala, FL
“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.” Isiah 43:19 NIV
Stephanie Z, Broken Arrow, OK “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19, NLT
Mollie Spurlock, Waycross, Georgia
Hebrews 11:11Â Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Dawn, Leland, NC
I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. -Isaiah 46:4 NIV
Brenda, Epsom, NH
“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 41:13 ESV
Julie Luten, Spokane, WA “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 ESV
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” Isaiah 40:8 NIV
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: love your neighbour as yourself. All the law and all the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
Mathew 22:37-40 NIV
Jannine Garner-Cabrera, Dominican Republic
“Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” 1 Timothy 6:11b (NIV)
Robbi Schleicher, Glen Allen, VA
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Cor 5:17 ESV
“Be completely humbe and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Eph 4:2 NIV
Susan Patten
Ames, Iowa
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NKJV
Hiawatha, Kansas
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23 NIV
Julie, Lakewood, CO “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s plans that prevail.” Proverbs 19:21
Gina Wallace in Winterville, NC
“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”
Luke 9:24 (NIV)
Kathi Larson, Tempe, Arizona
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Elizabeth Fikes, Cookeville, Tennessee
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12 (ESV)
Amy Lyn Hicks: Billings, Mt
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 40:31 NLT)
Annie Atkinson, Turlock, CA “Boast no more so very proudly, Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, And with Him actions are weighed.” I Samuel 2:3 NASB
Lynn Egigian, Texas
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see”.
Hebrews11:1, NIV