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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jennifer, Bahama, N.C.Psalm 56:3
3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you.
Judy Harms, Simi Valley, CA, “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. ” NIV
Holly Dainton, Hamilton, OH – Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, in thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guide your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philipians 4:6-7 NIV
Kristi
Butler, OK
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20 ESV
Chaz – Canada
Memory verse – Jan 1
Galatians 6:1-3 (The Voice)
My spiritual brothers and sisters, if one of our faithful has fallen into a trap and is snared by sin, don’t stand idle and watch his demise. Gently restore him, being careful not to step into your own snare. 2 Shoulder each other’s burdens, and then you will live as the law of the Anointed teaches us. 3 Don’t take this opportunity to think you are better than those who slip because you aren’t; then you become the fool and deceive even yourself.
Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God! Philippians 4:6 NASB
Alana Whitener, Surprise, Arizona “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” NIV
Brooke, Siloam Springs, AR “The world and it’s desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:17 NIV
Heather Noel, Searcy AR
“He who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to The Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'” Psalm 91:1-2 (HCSB)
Cindy – Pittsburgh PA
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105 (AMP)
Frances Simeon, Florida
Phillipians 3:10
that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.
Burnsville, MN
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6 NIV
Heather, Brandon, MS
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (â€Psalm‬ â€19‬:â€14‬ ESV)
Angie O’Bleness, Aurora, CO.
“You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.” Psalm 119:114 NIV
Shyla M., Patterson, CA
“Fear not, I am with you;
be not dismayed; I am your God.
I will strengthen you, and help you,
and uphold you with my right hand of justice. ”
Isaiah 41:10
Gayla Mustang, OK
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (â€Hebrews‬ â€4‬:â€16‬ NIV)
Lou Ann, Owensboro, KY
31 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. (â€Isaiah‬ â€40‬:â€31‬ NIV)
Psalm 100:1-2 (KJV)
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness,come before his presence with singing.
Michelle Pettit, Missoula, MT “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.” 1 Corinthians 16: 13-14 (NLT)
Megan Gehman, Lititz, PA
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
-Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)
Nikki from San Antonio, Texas
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
– Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
Cori, Springfield, Ohio. Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:5 NKJV.
“For the Lord taketh pleasure in His people; He will beautify the meek with salvation.” Psalm 149:4 KJV
Natalie, Athens, GA.
Ephesians 4:29
Let everything you say be good and helpful so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. NLT
Count me in!
Julia Isaacs from Lynchburg, VA. “I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Tara Johansen, manchester, mo, Sharing a friend’s verse: “Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.” Psalm 37:5 NLT
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me…
Psalm 139:9-10a ESV
Amanda Tyler Kannapolis, NC
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us….
Ephesians 3:20 KJV
Kristen, Hospers, IA
“Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God. So God heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God saw the sons of Israel, and God took notice of them.” Exodus 2:23-25 NASB
Michelle Pritchard
Okeechobee , Florida
Ephesians 4.2
With all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love!!!
** this is my 4 th time doing this— but this year is going to be the first time come celebrate at the end….. It will be my 50 th birthday present to myself !!!
Rosalie from Knoxville, TN
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. (â€Romans‬ â€12‬:â€2‬ NIV)
Jeremiah 29:11New International Version (NIV)
11 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.
Casee, Houston, Revelation 21:5 NIV
He who sat on the throne said, “I am making everything new.” Then he said,
“Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Silvia, Claremont, CA
James 4:1. What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?
Adecia Rentoul, Ruakaka, New Zealand
Matthew 5:14. “Here’s another way to put it: you’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept”. The Message
Tammy Bowman, Lemoore, CA
To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. ( 2 Thessalonians 1: 11-12 ESV)
Jennifer Coleman, Derby, KS, Luke 9:23 NKJV Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me”.
Andrea – Salem, VA
Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You,
let those who love your salvation continually say,
“The Lord is great”.
Psalm 40:16 HCSB
Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. Psalms‬ â€27‬:â€14‬ NLT
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8 NIV
Janice Bells, Orillia, Ontario, Canada
Philippians 3:14 NIV
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Margaret Jordan, Corpus Christi, Texas
Jesus said, “‘Love The Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is is the first and greatest commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38 NIV
Paula Russell, Monroe, LA – “Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 HCSB
Diane S., Macungie, PA
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. (â€John‬ â€15‬:â€12‬ NIV)
the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and thatall the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion
Phyllis Twilley, Salisbury, MD – “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” NIV
Tensie in Los Angeles, CA
I Peter 3:8 NKJV
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;
Roxie Johnson, Spring, Texas
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. (â€Philippians‬ â€4‬:â€11‬ KJV)
Tania Raindl, Lubbock TX
“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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NIV