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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Laura Primus, Pleasant Hill, CA
James 1:5 (CEB)
But anyone who needs wisdom should ask God, whose very nature is to give to everyone without a second thought, without keeping score. Wisdom will certainly be given to those who ask.
Judy, Virginia
“For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
Valerie Scott, Springfield, Oregon
I call on you, my God, for you will answer me, turn your ear to me and hear my prayer Psalm 17:6 NIV
Brittany Ketter, Pittsburgh, PA “I will stand by my watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected.” Habakkuk 2:1 NKJV
Susan Canham, Bismarck, North Dakota
“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)
Janelle Fitzler, Sioux Falls, SD. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks received; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” – Mathew 7:7-8
Madison
Tustin, California
“For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him.”
Luke 14: 29 NIV
Kassie Dulin, Southlake, Texas
“Search from the book of the LORD, and read: Not one of these shall fail; Not one shall lack her mate. For My mouth has commanded it, and His Spirit has gathered them. (â€Isaiah‬ â€34‬:â€16‬ NKJV)
I’m 28 and single. This verse has encouraged me that God will not fail, and I shall not lack, because His Holy Spirit is working for me. Praying with joy and hope that God will bring my guy in His perfect timing – preferably 2015. 🙂
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10. (NIV)
Ana Santana . Mount Vernon, NY. 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. (â€Isaiah‬ â€41‬:â€10‬ NIV)
Betsy, Wooster, OH.
“For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Romans 8:13 ESV
Brigitte Thomson, Newark Ohio
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”Rom 10:17 ESV
Katie, Warrensburg,MO.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Psalms 139:11-12 NIV
Rayelene Hernandez, Port Arthur, TX
“Show me your paths and teach me to follow;
Guide me by your truth and instruct me. You keep me safe, and I always trust you”
Psalms 25:4,5 Contemporary English Version
Be completely humble and gentle; patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (NIV) Ephesians 4:2-3
Hebrews 12:14. Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy;without holiness no one will see The Lord
Philippians 4:4-9
Amy from Omaha, NE.
Rejoice in The Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus. 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Phillipians 4:4-9
Jessica: Rockvale, TN
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” Philippians 2:14 (NIV)
Denise L. Cherry Valley, CA. ” She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled.” Luke 1:45 HCSB
“But as for you, continue in the things which you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it.” II Tim. 3:14 (NIV)
“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
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. 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 praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:6-9
“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a path through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 NLT
Terry Stever, Odessa, Missouri.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
Anna Smith, Louisville, KY
“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.”
1 Peter 1:24 NIV
Lisa: Lewis Center, OH
Hebrews12:1 “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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
Donna,Rome Georgia “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace in time of need.”Hebrews 4:16. New King James revised
Jill Gaspard, Zachary, Louisiana
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him,…
Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus. {1 timothy 1:12,14)
Vivian, Peoria, AZ
Jan 1 @ 8:41 pm
“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.” – Psalm 62:5
Kensley Husband, Charlotte, NC
“For we are God’s workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
Which God prepared in advance for us to do. ”
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Celina Vasquez, Waco, TX
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Jennifer Gorman, Seymour, TN
He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.
Isaiah 40:29 NASB
Michelle Kelly, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV
Mary Beth Wilson Fredericton, NB (Canada):
“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)
Lindsay, Albuquerque, NM
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. – Psalm 91:1 Amp
Kailee Husband, Charlotte, NC
{They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast trusting in the Lord}
•Psalm 112:7• NIV
Rachel, Nashville TN
Psalm 86:15
“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”
Hannah Hancock from Winter Haven, FL
“God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:27 (NASB)
Sheri Kaetzel, Portland, Oregon.
“The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth.”
2 John 1 ESV
Philippians 4:6
“Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” (NLT)
Kristy McIntyre, Eugene, Oregon. “Do everything without complaining or arguing.” Philippians 2:14
Melissa Westerman, Peoria, IL
But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:14 ESV
Amber Ives, Tomball, TX,
For my new journey parenting an autistic daughter I chose…
2 Cor. 12:9 “But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. (HCSB)
Kathy Howe, Lexington, KY “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 NKJV
Bambi from Gurley, Alabama
“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
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not. – Jeremiah 33.3
Jasmine Baktiar. Lemoore, CA.
Ecclesiastes 3:
A Time for Everything
3 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace. (NIV)
Jennifer Magreevy
Colorado Springs, CO
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“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.”
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (â€1 John‬ â€4‬:â€1‬ NIV)