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) 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:
Your name, city, verse (written all the way out), reference, and translation.
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Donna Mina, Norman, OK
“My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.”
Psalm 27:8 NLT
Dana Edmisten, Monroe NC
Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”
Kendra Chevalier, Lamar, Arkansas.
“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
Janelle, Red Wing, MN “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Tim 1:7 ESV
Sarah Goldstein, Riverside, California
“Therefore whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone- especially to those in the family of faith,” Galatians 6:10 NLT
Pam Heath, Flint, TX
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)
Brenda Barker, Greensboro, NC
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Ephesians 4:1 NIV
Stephanie Tausch Helotes,TX
“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:16 ESV
Ephesians 1:13 (KJV) In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Kim Holston – Magnolia, DE
Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)
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.
Kim Cagle, Norman, OK
‘You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.” Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
Meredith Holt, Marion, Indiana. “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)
Mindy Aumiller Colorado Springs Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT
Get rid of all bitterness,rage,anger, harsh words, and slander,as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted,forgiving one another just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Restore to me the JOY of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me
Psalm 51:12
Lisa, Tennessee
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Colossians 3:16 (NKJV)
Heather
Las Lajas, Chiriqui, Panama
John 10:27-28
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
Adina , Pittsburgh , PA
Lord, You search me and know me.
Psalm 139:1 HCSB
Phil 4:8
Finally brothers, whatever it’s true, whatever is noble, Whatever is right, whatever is pure, Whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable ~ if Anything is excellent or praiseworthy ~ think on these things.
Pam, topeka, Kansas – Yet the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen [you] and set you on a firm foundation and guard you from the evil [one]. (2 Thessalonians 3:3 AMP)
Karen S, Murrysville PA
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Psalm 90:12 NIV
Alexis O’Neal, Columbia, SC
“For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.” 2 Corinthians 1:20 ESV
Brandy Allred, Crossville, TN
“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:4. NIV
Sandy, Brandon, MB, Canada.
“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love and Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:18-19 NIV
Mickey, Blue Springs, MO
He was the one who prayed to the God of Isreal, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.
1 Chronicles 4:10 NLT
Brittney Dean from Bellflower CA
I’m claiming 2015 to be my year of transformation of mind body and soul praying for God’s will for my life to be revealed to me!
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT
Jennifer smith from Sydney, Australia. “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
Stefani Scheppmann, Mukono, Uganda “And you saw how The Lord your God cared for you all along the way as you traveled through the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child. Now he has brought you to this place.” Deuteronomy 1:31 NLT
Charlotte Brown, Seymour, Texas “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of you mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of GOD, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 ESV
Renee VW, Rockford, Michigan
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 NLT
Erica Adkins, Grayslake, IL. “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)
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT)
Lindsey Roberts, Houston, Texas. “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Lorrena Duran Albuquerque, NM
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)
Finally, brothers and sisters, fill your minds with beauty and truth. Meditate on whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is good, whatever is virtuous and praiseworthy. Phil 4:8 VOICE
Joshua 1:9
Be strong and courageous
Do not be afraid or discouraged for
The LORD tour God is with you wherever
You go.
Sandy Kline, Mansfield, TX. “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” Phil. 2:14-16, ESV.
Amy Rose, Aberdeen, MD, “For God gave us a spirit, not of fear, but of power and love and self-control.” II Timothy 1:7 ESV
Michelle from Dayton, TN
Ephesians 4:1 NKJV “As a prisoner for the Lord then I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”
Adrienne McCann from High Point, NC.
“We are forgiven for our sinful ways by the richness of His grace, which He has poured all over us. ” Ephesians 1:7-8 (The Voice)
Matthew 11:28-29 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.
Amy Nafe, Vero Beach, FL “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and self discipline.” 2 Tim. 1:7. TLV
Charne Scholtz, Secunda South Africa. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Psm 119:1NKJ
Tana Paramore Mesquite, TX
Jeremiah 32:17 ESV
‘Ah, Lord God ! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.
Krista Beach- Byron Center, MI
“The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” Genesis 1:2 ESV
Brittany Valentin – Bryan,Tx/San Antonio,Tx
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace,That we may obtain mercy,And find grace to help in time of need”
Hebrews 4:16 KJV
Micki Augustus, Troy, Missouri
” Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sins. ” Psalm 51:1-2
Jennifer, Dallas, TX May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. Colossians 1:11 ESV
Kelli Glover, Whitt, Texas
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21
Trina, Denton, TX: Deut. 30:20 ESV Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
Sadee * Bloomington, IN
“She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” Proverbs 31:12