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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Linda Christopher ~ Thornton, CO ~ Matthew 17:20 ~ NIV
Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain,”Move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Marsha Middleton, Lee’s Summit, MO
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV
Trudy Cansler, Hot Springs, AR “lLet no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Jennifer H.
Beaumont, Texas
Ephesians 4:29 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. (â€Ephesians‬ â€4‬:â€29‬ NIV)
Crystal Davis, Euless, Texas. “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.” Psalm 119:114, NKJV
Patti Walker, Shalimar, FL, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John‬ â€3‬:â€18‬ (NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
so do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Kendall Tulsa, OK
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)
Jennifer a Duchscherer, Rosemount,MN
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
Holcomb,KS
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. Psalm 20:4
Megan, Sydney, Australia.
Finally be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. Put on the full armour of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11 HSCB
Catherine Munson, San Marcos, CA
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 2-3, NIV
Kelly
San Clemente, Ca
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. Phillippians 4:11. NASB
Jeanette Plummer – Mesquite, TX
“…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
Renee, Calgary, Canada
“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. “. Isa 43:19 NLT
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. Luke 9:33-24 ESV
Carrie Quinn, Tomball, TX — “But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior, so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten.” Jeremiah 20:11 NIV
Danville,AL
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, lean not on your own understanding and in all ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path” Proverbs 3:5&6 KJV
Shirley Williams, Greenville, MS. “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
Mallory Lamm, Huntsville, AL
“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” -Romans 8:15
Pam – Wassenaar, The Netherlands
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more. –Psalm 71:20-21NIV
Carol S., Pasadena, CA “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
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (â€Hebrews‬ â€4‬:â€12‬ NIV)
Theresa Coleman, Lexington, NC: But those who wait upon the Lord a shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31, NKJV
Niecy, Highlands Ranch, CO; “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” Exodus 33:13
Nichole, Sioux Falls, SD
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 New English Translation
Psalm 25:4 (NKJV)
Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7
Heather Maise- Glencoe, AL. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15 NIV
For I know the plans I have for you, “declares The Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jer 29:11 NIV
Lori, McDonough, GA – “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
Alison Peyton, Edson, AB, Canada
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life
NIV
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Sarah Shintaku, Overland Park, KS
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 (NASB)
Jessica Walter, Farmington Hills, MI: My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side! (â€Psalms‬ â€56‬:â€9‬ NLT)
Molly Legg, Gainesville,GA
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments ”
Proverbs 3:1 NASB
Sara- Magee, MS For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians‬ â€2‬:â€10‬ NLT
Misty Choat Claremore, OK – James 3:17-18 “But the wisdom that comes from Heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” NIV
Wendy May, Simms, TX “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And in the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Cara Koski, Fridley, MN
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:12, ESV
Erin Hogan, Pocahontas, AR
“]Nevertheless, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Romans 8:37 (1599 Geneva Bible)
Julie Polk, Lubbock, TX
James 1:12 (ESV)
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
Leigh Ray Slone Mount Pleasant Texas
NIV Observe the Sabbath because it is holy to you. It will be a sign between and the Israel forever for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed. Exodus 31: 14 and 17
Claiming rest and refreshment from God, my true source of fulfillment
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)
Sandy- Boise,Idaho Joshua 1:8 (NASB)
8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
Debbie H., North Richland Hills, TX
Create pure thoughts in me and make me faithful again. Psalm 51:10 CEV
Amarillo, Texas
If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. John 12:26 ESV
Lisa Hedrick, Bucyrus, Ohio “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV