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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kathy Davis, Russiaville, IN, “I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?” Psalm 121:1 NIV
Laurie S; Kelowna, BC,Canada
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall have eternal life.
🙂 starting easy but profound truth
Kansas City, MO. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Mary Barnowske, San Antonio, TX: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6, NIV
from Western North Carolina:
“He has told you, O man what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? ” Micah 6:8 NASB
Kerri York, Spokane, Washington “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians‬ â€1‬:â€17‬ NIV)
Suwanee, GA
For The Lord is good and His love endures forever, his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100: 5
Gwen Parish, Earth TX
Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3.23 NIRV
Kylie
Wichita,KS
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:3 NIV
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
Darlene Webb, Huntington, WV.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
KJV
Sarah M., Alexandria, Virginia “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'” Isaiah 43:1 ESV
Pattie Frick Glen Allen
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
Sallie Belle, Tupelo, MS
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. (â€1 Peter‬ â€1‬:â€6‬ NIV)
“If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”. Romans 10:9. NRSV
Amanda Highfil, Clayton, NC, “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.” Jeremiah 24:7
Ellen James from Valrico, FL.: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:10 NIV
Brenda, Bismarck, ND: “I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with Thanksgiving.” Ps 69:30 NKJ
Janeen Wilson, Nampa, Idaho “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 HCSB
Rachelle, Cedar Park TX:Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:1 – 2 NIV.
Melissa Breese, Westminster, Co. I am using the verse from my sister Amanda Fletcher, it touched my soul tonight. “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.” Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Charity Johnson
Clovis, California
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of The Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Col 3:17
Lauren Pierce, College Station, TX
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of JOY; at your right hand are pleaures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 ESV
Shelley, Brigham City, UT
Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
” For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Brittany Kay, Daytona Beach, Florida. “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” Luke 2:20
Vicksburg, MS
11 Be very careful, therefore, to love the
LORD your God.
Joshua 23:11 ESV
Lori Northumberland, PA
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide your with My eye.” Psalm 33:8 NKJ
Laura ~ Plainfield,IN
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
Psalm 116:1 NIV
Jennifer Waites, Buna, Texas. “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Heidi ~ Grayslake, IL
Isaiah 58:11
The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
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
Kelsey Wilkening, DuPont, WA: “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 ESV
Christy VanHorn, Clinton, MS
Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. – Psalm 119:133
Katie Burke, Tampa, FL
“Do everything without complaining and arguing” (â€Philippians‬ â€2‬:â€14‬ NLT)
Charla Hollowell, Denver, CO: I am going to first focus on the attributes of God. No place better than Gensis 1:1 to start, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” ESV
Heal me,O Lord,and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved,For Thou art my praise.
Jer. 17:14. NAB
Woodbridge, VA
Eph 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.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one fir an I ther, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16
“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. 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 43:18-19
Kathy Edgren, Lakewood WA
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
Col 1:9-10 (ESV)
Amy Polley, Birmingham, AL
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD and on his law he meditates day and night.”
Psalm 1:1-2 ESV
Hannah
Olney, Texas
Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests he known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Jennifer Donihoo Moore, OK “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 NIV
Jan Miller, Orange, Texas
“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.” (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€18-19‬ NIV)
Marcie Bridges, Hickory, NC
Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established. Proverbs 16:3 NKJV
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Amy, Rapid City, South Dakota
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Psalm 105:3 NIV
Alexia Gossett
Champaign, IL
“Whatever comes to your mind, speak it, because the Holy Spirit will inspire it.”
Mark13:11b (Voice)
Maiar, Saint Paul Park, MN
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean in your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Kari, Paducah, KY
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
“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.