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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shelle, Charlotte NC. – now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. Each one of us must please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even the Messiah did not please himself. On the contrary, as it is written,”the insults of those who insults you have fallen on me.” For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have helped through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures. Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement allow you to live in harmony with one another, according to the commands of Christ Jesus, so that you may glorify the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a United mind and voice. Romans 15:1-6 HCSB
Melissa Rausch. Blue Springs, MO
Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. Though one goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves. Psalm 126:5-6 HCSB
Anne Chen, Cerritos, CA “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
Meghan, Austin, TX
Isaiah 43:18-19 NLT
“But forget all that–It is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?”
Caitlin, Demopolis, AL
“Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called! I am He; I am the first, and I am the last.” Isaiah 48:12 ESV
Dana Strake-Houston, Texas
“I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise will continually be in my mouth.”
Psalm 34:1, ESV
Mikelan Coleman, Overland Park, Kansas
“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with Thanksgiving in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16 ESV
Ann Wright, Hereford, TX “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119: 10-11 NIV
Heidi, Phoenix, AZ – Behold I do a new thing; now shall it spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 ASV
Lesley, Oceanside, CA
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20, NIV
“Behold, I will do a NEW thing; now it shall SPRING FORTH;
shall you not KNOW it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19, NKJ
Candi Taylor, Eastland, TX
Amber Varney; Valrico, FL “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.” Proverbs 31:10
Kathy Bousson, Collierville, TN Ecclesiastes 1:9-10
What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages.
Janica Williamson – Swan Lake, Montana
His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3 Holman Christian Standard (HCS)
Karina Husband, Charlotte, NC.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
Lori Eagen. Windsor. Ontario. Canada. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13. NKJV
Angie Werley, Houston, TX
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. (â€2 Thessalonians‬ â€2‬:â€16-17‬ ESV)
Kimberley, Greensboro, NC. “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (â€John‬ â€7‬:â€38‬ NIV)
Betty Fey, Springfield, Missouri. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,” James 1:2 NKJV
“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.” Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)
Debbie
Jacksonville, FL
Proverbs 1:33 (ESV)
but whoever listens to me will dwell secure
and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”
Lakisha Culpepper, Garland, TX
“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
Tammie, Pasadena, Tx, Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, (â€Philippians‬ â€2‬:â€1-3‬ NIV)
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28,29 NIV
Gail Irwin, Thousand Oaks, CA
“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
Charla Kidwell, Irving, Texas. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. Isiah 43:18 NIV
Alysa, Albuquerque, NM
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, – Hebrews 6:19 NKJV
Carrie Regnier, Pierceland, SK Canada
“Put on God’s whole armor, that you may be able successfully to stand up against (all) the stratiegies and the deceits of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11
Julie Chaliff, Mount Vernon, KY
So Let us come boldly to the throne of out gracious God. There we will receive His mercy and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16
Claudia Farmer, Myrtle Beach, SC
Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my shepherd, I sall not want.
ESV
Catherine Lichtenberger, Selma, Texas. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 nkjv
Misty Weare, Alliance,NE
“Behold, I am coming quickly and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”
Revelation 22:12
NAS
Diane Martinez, Albuquerque NM. My heart is still in Houston
Emily Milliner, Hesperia, CA
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
Kim from Wichita Kansas. Psalm 40:2. NIV. New International Version
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand
Forgot to post my name and city… Jennifer Vickers, Danville, Virginia. II Tim. 3:14 (NIV)
Leann Walker, Gardendale, AL , “All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13. ESV
Kaylene Portell, De Soto, MO, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (â€Matthew‬ â€11‬:â€28-30‬ HCSB)
Rose Richardson, Fullerton, CA
Psalm 119:10-11 (NKJV)
10 With my whole heart I have sought You;
Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
11 Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.
Mandy, Porter, TX
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (â€Philippians‬ â€4‬:â€6‬ NKJV)
Patricia, Corinth, TX
“I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food” Job 23:12b ESV
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:3-4
Molly Brant, Plano TX
“The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NASB
Connie, Columbus, OH 2Co 12:9 NIV
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.
Nancy Pipes, Houston, TX “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
Sarah, Simms, TX, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
Psalm 18:103 I love THEE, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.
Meagan Jones, Port St. Lucie, Florida: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
Jeanne Kent, Forest Virginia
“They replied,’Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved–you and your household'”Acts 16:31(NIV)
Alyssa, Sealy, TX— Isaiah 43:18-19a MSG “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.”