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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LeeAnn Princeton,Texas
Instead, let the spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes
Ephesians 4:23 (NLT)
Jeannie Keller, Hanahan, SC. “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)
Kelly Kirby, Roanoke, Virginia. “You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest regions, and said to you, ‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: 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 41:9-10 NKJV
Audrea B. Cedartown, Georgia. 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 5:20 NIV
Megan, Elkhart, Indiana. “Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. ‘Make level paths for your feet,’ so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed”. Hebrews 12:12-13. NIV
Jill Fowler, Madison, AL, I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8, NIV
Patti, Blue Ridge, TX
“If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
John 15:7 (NASB)
Kimberly Baldwin
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in GOD, believe also in Me.”
John 14:1 NKJV
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Karen, Fairfax, Virginia: Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (â€Proverbs‬ â€16‬:â€3‬ NIV)
Amanda,Dothan AL
I sought the Lord and he answered me;He delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 n.i.v
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”
Amen! Last Jan 1, we moved to a new city and state after 25 years because of my husband’s job. We had no friends or church. We’ve finally found a church, but still no real community. Instead of pouting, I am going to memorize this verse to remind myself that I am a fellow citizen in God’s household! No need to be lonely. Happy New Year, Beth!
Liza Melson from Trimont, Minnesota: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 ESV
Bonnie DelBalzo, Winchester, Virginia
“When your Words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my hearts delight.” Jeremiah 15:16 NIV
Jenny Friedmann, Eureka, Missouri
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (â€Ephesians‬ â€3‬:â€20-21‬ ESV)
Kelly, Hendersonville, TN
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Gal 1:10
Emily Jackson Daegu,South Korea
The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation. PSALM 118:14 NKJV
Catherine Lesley, Waterdown, Ontario
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loves me and gave Himself for me. Galations 2:20 NIV
Rhonda Douglas – Houston
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Claire Byrd from Gillette, WY: “This is how the love of God is revealed to us: God has sent his only Son into the world so that we can live through him. (â€1 John‬ â€4‬:â€9‬ CEB)”
Heather Zayachkowski
Sault Ste. Marie ON Canada
1 Corinthians 6:11(NIV) And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Amanda, Largo FLorida, “but from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul” Dueteronomy 4:29 NKJ
Bradenton Florida …James 4:11 Humble yourself before the Lord and he will lift you up.(NIV)
Debi, Gallatin, TN. “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking around life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him.” Romans 12:1. The Message. When someone read this in Sunday School, I KNEW I had to memorize it from this paraphrase.
Deb K. Somerset, PA.
… Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. Luke 12:48, ESV
Sheri Vreugdenhil, South Bend, IN.
Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV) “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
LouAnne, Evans, CO– “Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share” 1Timothy 6:18 HCSB
Joyce Morton, Wadsworth, OH, “For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:16
New Lenox, IL
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:23-24
NIV
John 14:27 (NASB)
27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Lisa, Schererville, Indiana
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
Donna, Mesquite – I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Phil. 4:13 NIV
Deneen Williams, Spencer, VA ~ Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promise to her! (Luke 1:45 NIV)
Dawn, Atwood, Colleyville, TX
Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the word of Christ-the message-have run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Colossians 3:15-17 (MSG)
Mary Jo Thomas, Richmond, Indiana
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns. Colossians 3:16 ASV
Kimberly Baldwin Montezuma, Indiana
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.”
John 14:1 NKJV
Tammy Kron,
Lusby, MD
Psalm 27:14 (ESV)
Wait for The Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for The Lord!
Lauren Cartersville, GA
“Now to Him who’s is able to do IMMEASURABLY MORE than all we ask or imagine, according to His power at work within us, to Him be Glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all the generations forever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Barbara Hill, Statesville, North Carolina
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 ESV
Carole McConnell, Altoona, IA
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3 NIV
Tracey from Shawnee, Kansas
1 Chronicles 16:11 (NASB) Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.
Trish. Montgomery, AL. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.
Isaiah 61:1 ESV
Sarah, Yates Center, KS
“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
Debbie Mullen, Sugar Land, Tx “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Cor 4:17 NIV
Psalm 119:18 ESV
Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
Happy New Year!
Verse #1 2015
Brittany, Junction, TX Philippians 4:8 “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.” Niv
Jackie Siple Rockledge FL
Psalm 63:3 NIV Because you love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
A great verse to put on our hearts
Leslie Kotecki Chantilly, Virginia
Give ear to me and come to me; hear me that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.
Isaiah 55:3 NIV
Sarah G., Birmingham, AL, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may recurve mercy and find grace, to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Carol Bruntlett
Albuquerque NM
Hebrew 6:19 NIV
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul , firm and secure . It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain .