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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Danette Morton, Atlanta, Georgia “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
Amanda Harris, Hampton, VA.
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (â€1 Peter‬ â€1‬:â€13‬ ESV)
Debbie Pell, Rogersville, MO. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Phil 4:8 KJV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (â€Romans‬ â€8‬:â€28‬ NIV)
Sue Waldner, Camp Hill, PA — Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 NIV
Cathy Carter, Richmond, VA 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
Maddie Dumas, Geismar, LA, Revelation 21:5 (NIV) He who was seated on the throne said “I am making everything new!” Then He said, “Write these this down for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Judy Carlson, Highlands Ranch, CO
“For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9 NIV
Jackie White, Modesto, CA.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
“Guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.” 2 Timothy 1:14 NAS
Suzanne Carlson Ridgefield, WA
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.” Proverbs 31:26 NKJV
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 KJV
Ashley Lewis, Marshalltown, Iowa “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths.” NKJV
Psalm 103:1 NIV84
Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Jena Delk, Merritt Island FL
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.
John 1:1 ESV
Maribeth, Cynthiana, KY
I’m going to use Beth’s recommendation for this 1st one: Ephesians 2:19, NIV
Debbie, Utah
The second is like it and is this,You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.
Mark 12:31 Amplified
Nancy, Gonzales, TX. ” For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart.” Ecc 5:20. NKJV
Shannon Irvine, San Diego CA
“”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 NIV
Kim Lott, Hinesville, Georgia. “For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11 ESV
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you. (â€Psalms‬ â€9‬:â€10‬ NLT)
Jenny Moy, Johns Creek, GA for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance- (â€Proverbs‬ â€1‬:â€2-5 NIV)
Do not conform 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
Summer Morton, Fort Worth, Texas. “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed everyday.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 NLT
Lisa Lewis, Santa Clara, CA, Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalm 27:14 ESV
Kristi,Bartlesville
“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23 NIV
Colossians 1:13-14
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Vonda Schwarz, Bertrand, NE. ” 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.” Isaiah 43:19 NIV
Pam from Castaic, CA. Trust in the Lord with all yor heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Angela Johnston
Carlsbad Nm
Ephasians 2: 8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves it is a gift of god
Bible gateway
Jill Burkett, Claremore, OK
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 1:4 (KJV)
Jennifer B., Gaithersburg, MD
“To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord , that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3 NKJV
Peggy Waldemer Springfield, MO Psalm 18:1-3 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. NAS
Rachel T in California, MO: He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Revelation 21:6 NIV
MollyB – Auburn, Alabama
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumes, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV
Karen Creveling, Lake Jackson, TX “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, it will be opened.” Matthew 7:8 MEV
Rachel Brey, Northfield, MN
Proverbs 16:24
“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” ESV
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but, mighty to God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itselfagainst the knowledge of God,and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience od CHRIST. II Corinthians 10:4-5 KJV
Sherree, Lilburn, GA ,
Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge?” Job 38:1-2 NKJV
Maria E., Burton, Ohio
Deuteronomy 29:29 KJV
“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance of about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Amy, Tyler, Texas
The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. (â€Proverbs‬ â€14‬:â€1‬ NIV)
Anna Claire S., Madison, MS
Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
Pamela Jeffcoat
Leesville, LA
James 1:18 NLT
He chose to give birth to us by giving us His true word. And we, out of all creation, became His prized possession.
Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3 NLT
Brittanie, Atlanta,TX. May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. (â€Romans‬ â€15‬:â€5‬ NLT)
Sally Reed, Houston, Texas
John 1:14 NIV. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory,the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Beverly, Shelby, NC “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.” Luke 2:1 KJV
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. ” (â€Mark‬ â€11‬:â€25‬ NIV)
Seagoville,TX. “Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 ESV