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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stacie–Washougal, WA
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. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€19‬ NLT)
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD.
“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18 NIV
Gail-Tyler,TX
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV
“Let me see myself through Your eyes and love the person You created me to be.” Ps. 139:13-15 NIV
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish on
another with all wisdom, and as you sing songs with gratitude in your
hearts to God. Colossians 3:16
Cara Roberts, Byron, Illinois. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ” Philippians 2:3 NIV
Andrea, San Angelo, TX
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
I John 4:18 ESV
Kristin Kellett, West Monroe, LA. All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (NIV)
Crystal G Clowdus, Oneonta, AL
“For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Amanda Tyler
Kannapolis, NC
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us…
Ephesians 3:20 KJV
Kelly Hansen, Houston, TX
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)
Kari, Sikeston, Missouri. “he sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. Job 5:11 ESV
Bonnie Wallace, Charleston, SC
“My heart says, ‘Seek His face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek.” (Psalm 27:8 NIV)
Ellyn-KY
I look up to the mountains-does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaen and earth! Psalm 121:1-2 (NLT)
Amy Wilkinson,Corpus Christi, TX “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” Colossians 4:6 NASB
Nancy Cahill, Waterloo, IA Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139:7-10 NIV
Meredith F, Virginia Beach, VA. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Marcie Cowling, Metamora, IL. “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.” James 3:17 NLT Study Bible
Nicole Schuenke, St. Petersburg, Florida “On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.” (â€1 Thessalonians‬ â€2‬:â€4‬ NIV)
Holly Cox
Greenwood, SC
“but my brothers who went with me frightened the people from entering the Promised Land. For my part, I wholeheartedly followed the Lord my God.” Joshua 14:8 NLT
Christiana Guerrero, Columbus, MS “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
Cathy Moorman, Fort Wayne, Indiana ” He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” Job 8:21 NLT
Allyson Flack, Wichita Falls, Texas
“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”
(Isaiah 43:1 ESV)
Katelynn Martin, Visalia, CA
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (â€Lamentations‬ â€3‬:â€22-23‬ ESV)
Kelli T, Southeastern Colorado
The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.
Proverbs 22:7 ESV
Jennifer Henry – Ohatchee,Alabama “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
Tilda, Pittsburgh, Pa.
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 entrust my life.
Psalm 143:8
Dionne, Hillsboro, Kansas.
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in the knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and ay be pure and blameless until the day of Christ”. Philippians 1:9-10, NIV.
Isaiah 43:19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. NIV
Paula Cable, Natchez, MS, I will teach all your children, and they will enjoy great peace. (â€Isaiah‬ â€54‬:â€13‬ NLT)
Lisa Vira, Washington, NJ “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
Jen Weir, Frisco, Tx
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
Kristeen Oliveira, Port St Lucie, FL. “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me, and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NKJV)
2 Timothy 3:16-17 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.
Lisa Bray
Winthrop, MA
Shanna Haley-Madison,MS
“She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
Proverbs 31:26 ESV
Loren Howell, Montgomey, AL
Haggai 1:5-7 (NIV)
Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much but have harvested little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but are not warm. You earn wages only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.”
Christina in Grand Rapids, MI
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26, ESV
Deena Hall, Colleyville, TX
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 NIV
Nan Smith, Leawood, Ks “For God has not given me a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgement.” 2 Timothy 1:7 HCSB Study Bible
Psalm 4:8 AMP
In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust.
Kim from Medina, OH
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (Proverbs 3:5 NIV)
Kat, Elizabeth, CO – His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 2 Peter 1:3 ESV
Donna Taylor-Brown Brandon, Fl
“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.” Jer 29:11(NIV)
Stephanie Rose, Keller, TX…
Isaiah 30:15…This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:
“Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.
Cobi- Andrews, TX- Psalm 130:5 ESV “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope.”
John 4:10 NIV
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
Ann Jones, Aiken, SC
Rachelle Wright
Munfordville, Ky
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Birgitta Meylor, Waunakee, WI. “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 and pleasing will.” Romans 12:2 NIV
Kelly, schertz, tx
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.”
“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.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV