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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lydia Salib Matta, Los Angeles, CA “Indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:3-5 NIV
Colleen, Phoenix AZ – The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet. Exodus 14:14 HCSB
Jessica Lowe, Nancy, Kentucky “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim 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.” Isaiah 61:1 NIV Praying for some wounds to be bound up in my life.
Wilmington, NC. For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7
Jeanine, Augusta, GA
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7, NIV
LeAnn Moser, Vermillion, SD
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (â€2 Corinthians‬ â€4‬:â€18‬ NIV)
Jennifer, Fountain, CO
Vivian McDowell, Louisville, KY
When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up—the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, your Savior, the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 43:2-3, TLB
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. (Matthew 6:33-34 NLT)
Erin Keel, Chesnee, SC “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us– yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17 NIV
Susan Hansen, Springfield, MO
“Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”
Psalm 86:11 NIV
Jill Monticello, FL
Trust in The Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding. Seek his will in all that you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3: 5-6
Kristy Sutton, Hanahan, SC “So , my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” I Corinthians 15:58, NLT.
Carolyn Miller, Lakeland, FL. “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 NIV
Diane Rogers, Golinda, Texas
“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 MSG)
Theresa Mayo, Sardis, Al , “The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with” James 5:16b (The Message).
Long ago God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at different times and in different ways. In these last days He has spoken to us by His Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him. Hebrews 1:1-2
Gatlinburg TN
Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. NIV
Ruth Dale, Greenwood, MO: “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
Lesa Johnson, Laurel, MS
I can do all things through Chist who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Kelly; Amity,Or
Commit your path to the Eternal; let Him direct you.Put your confidence in Him, and He will follow through with you.
– Psalms 37:5. (The Voice)
Carrie Gill, Tyler, TX, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 (NIV)
Ashley Brown, Jackson, Tennessee
“Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.” Isaiah 58:10-11 (NLT)
Sherrie Lynn, Collierville, TN. “How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.” (â€Psalms‬ â€1‬:â€1-2‬ HCSB)
Cindy Venable, Amarillo Texas, For all have sinned, and come short of the Glory of God. Romans 3:23 KJV
Debbie Castro, Tucson, AZ, “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.
Sue Di Bacco, Orillia, Ontario, Canada
“I will praise the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.
I will boast in the Lord; the humble will hear and be glad.” Ps.34:1,2. HCSB
Melissa Hostetler, Schertz, TX
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
for the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed.” Isaiah 61:1
Yolanda Guatemala City, Guatemala
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 43:19 (NIV)
Tricia Hopkins, Converse, IN: “‘He has human power, but we have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.’ The people were encouraged by these words of their king.” 2 Chronicles 32:8, GNT
Michele, Edmond,OK
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!” Psalm 100:1 ESV
Rosalyn Smith, St. Louis MO
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy.” Jude 1:24 NASB
Sue Moore, Deville, LA
In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes;
fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel and marrow to thy bones.
Proverbs 3:6-8, KJV
Teresa, Spokane WA
I will lie down and sleep in peace. Lord, you alone keep me safe ~ Psalm 4:8 (NIRV)
Rebecca Cox, Mansfield TX
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 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 12:1-2 NIV
Kerri
Maple Grove, MN
“Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT
Michelle Koepp Fort Wayne, IN
“But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: (â€1 John‬ â€2‬:â€5‬ NIV)”
Prov. 21:21 NASB
He who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life, righteousness and honor.
Denise, Concordia, Ks
“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
Mark 11:24 (ESV)
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have receivedc it, and it will be yours.
Lisa Groff, Jasper, NY.
“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
Karin Peters from College Station, Tx. See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1 esv
Deborah Starkey, Proctorville,Ohio Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, Ephesians 1:3 ESV
Kristiina Gagner
Keizer, OR
“Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Tina Poppelreiter, Southaven, MS. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Psalms 91:4 NIV
Dayton, OH
Only conduct yourselves in a manner worth of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. Philippians 1:27 NASB
Margaret, Bellaire, Texas
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10 NIV
Shae Garza
San Antonio, TX
“Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.” Micah 7:8 (NIV)
Melissa Mulvaney Canton, MI
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (â€Philippians‬ â€4‬:â€8‬ ESV)
Jennifer, Chicago, IL “I publicly proclaim bold promises. I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner. I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me if I could not be found. I, the LORD, speak only what is true and declare only what is right.” Isaiah 45:19 NLT