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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
krystal ward
teague, tx
create in me a pure heart, o God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
psalm 51:10 NIV
Here is my 1st scripture. I post this because I need advice on dealing with the teenage years.
Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the disciplines and instruction that comes from The Lord. (NLT)
Penny; Loganville, GA;
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:23 NASB
Katy, Texas
Romans 10:17(ESV)
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ”.
Emma Dunsmoor, Little River – KS
“Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy 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
Abby, Corinth, MS “Make a clean break with all the cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 MSG
Ashley King, Cypress, TX “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
and do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 NKJV
Hemingford, NE
Dana Plett from Gold River, BC
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (â€Hebrews‬ â€4‬:â€16‬ ESV)
Jennifer Olson, Wichita, Kansas. “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
Paige Pollard, Midlothian, TX
Search me, Oh God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me into the way everlasting. Ps 139:23-24
Rebecca Coon, Newport News, VA. “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” (â€2 Timothy‬ â€2‬:â€13‬ NASB)
JoAnne, Redmond, OR. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7. NIV
Toni Gray, Mansfield, Texas.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19 KJV
Darcy Brown, Spokane, WA “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” Psalm 37:3-6 NIV
Tracy, Tangent, OR, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” James 1:2 ESV
Alycia. Granada, MN. Psalm 107:9 For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. NKJV.
Melody Faith – Knoxville, TN –
Psalms 40:3 NLT
“He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.”
Natalie Khantharoth San Antonio, TX So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. Galatians 5:16 New Living Translation
Carol from Nashville, Tenn. “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
Paula Hale, Brownwood, Tx, Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind.Proverbs 21:5 MSG
I always pray with joy, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus Philippians 1:4-6
Julie Martin – Prague, Oklahoma:
“But the wisdom from above is first of pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:17-18 NLT
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (â€Philippians‬ â€1‬:â€6‬ NIV)
Beth from Jamestown, NC Romans 12: 2 HCSB Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Dorie Nilles, Oswego Illinois
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.Ephesians 2:10
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7 KJV
Kay from Plano, Tx
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in The Lord with all you heat. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.
Lois Wheeler, Des Plaines, IL
“The faithful love of the Lord never ends. His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him.'”
Lamentations 3:22-24 (NLT)
Lisa Walker, Hull, GA …since the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 HCSB
Diana Rodriguez
Riverside, CA
Psalm 42:8
But each day the Lord pours His unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing His songs, praying to God who gives me life.
NLT
Amanda Fowler, Houston, TX. “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV
Jen Klinger, Lyn, ON, Canada
“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.” Romans 8:28
How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers love together in harmony! Psalm 133:1 (NLT)
Angela, Mansfield TX
Joshua 1:9 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Carolyn Sires, Summerville,SC. “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken”. Ecclesiastes 4:12, NIV
Sandy Omaha Ne – The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 AMP
He is before all things and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:17 NASB
DallasAshley Tausch, Helotes, Tx
“1God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.” PSALM 46: 1-3 NIV
Kathy Dunning, Kingwood, Texas
The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 NIV
Sandra Thompson, Martinez, Georgia, “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10 NLT
Valerie Clark, Kalispell, MT, “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, NKJV
Anne F. Tacoma, Wa.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of Grace, that we may recieve mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 ESV
Savannah: “Be still, and know that I am God” PS:46:10 NKJV
Shari Schock, Steilacoom, WA “Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.” Psalm 37:5 NLT
The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
(â€Zephaniah‬ â€3‬:â€17‬ NIV)
Cary Bell, Missoula, Montana
“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” Hebrews 4:16 NASB
Gail Reynolds, Houston, Texas
“Death and Life are in the control of the tongue: Those who indulge in it will eat it’s fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 TLV
Charmaine McLeod, Calgary, Alberta
“I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust’.” Psalm 91:2 ESV
Danielle Tung
Portland, Oregon
“But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”
1 Thessalonians 5:8 NIV