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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8B NIV
Janette Pettey, Sunnyside, Washington, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19, ESV
Amy Villa, Auburn, WA. “And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.” Psalm 27:6
Jami from Olathe, KS: “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
Romans 12:9 (NIV)
Mary Ann Roach
Wichita Falls, Texas
Galatians 4:6
Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”
NIV
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,
For He who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Tennessee
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Psalms 103:1 KJV
Holly, Tuscumbia, AL
I am about to do something new. It is beginning to happen even now. Don’t you see it coming? I am going to make a way for you to go through the desert. I will make streams of water in the dry and empty land. â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€19‬ NIRV
Jennifer, St Joseph, Mo -Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 63:7 NIV
Rom. 8:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Jesus Christ the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
Leigh, Apple Valley
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
Psalm 46:10 NLT
Proverbs 31:10 (NIV)
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11: Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
Terri Simmons, Cypress, TX, “Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Romans 12:16 NKJV
Lindsay Huether, Boise, ID. “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 ES
JerryR, Ridgeland, MS Jeremiah 29:11 “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.” NIV
Autumn Crary, Deer Park, WA
“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 NIV
Tessa from Alliance, Nebraska. Matthew 6:19-21: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Teach us to number our days so that we will gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
Susie Jenkins,Dubuque,Iowa- Job 23:12 ” I have not departed from His commands,but have treasured His words more than daily food.”
Janel Hendrixson, Frisco Tx
“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
Summerville, Oregon.
Hebrews 4:12. – For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. NKJV
Judy Loper, Houston, Tx. Isaiah 26:3
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you,
Because he trusts in you. ESV
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 KJV
Oops! I forgot the translation. Psalm 27:6 ESV
My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
Store my commands in your heart. Proverbs 3:1 NLT
Los Lunas, NM
Proverbs 3:5-6New King James Version (NKJV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct[a] your paths.
Katie Tine – Hanover, Pa
For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. Romans 10:10 NLT
Arcelia Miller, Upland CA
8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; 9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8-9 NASB
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper youabs not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled,upright,and godly lives in the present age
Titus 2:12 ESV
Jennifer from Riviera – Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he makes everything work out according to His plan Eph 1:11 NLT
Dana, Carmichael, CA “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 ESV
Tami from Minnesota, Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him…And he will make your paths straight. NASB
Angela, Stettler AB Canada
“The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” 2Chron16:9 NLT
Caryn, Cleburne, TX – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Cathy Rutledge, Jacksonville,Alabama
Ask and God will give it to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will open for you.
Matthew 7:7 NCV
Robbin, Pendleton, Oregon
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)
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14, NIV)
Jill, Claremore, OK.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, (â€Ephesians‬ â€3‬:â€20‬ NIV)
By Wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. Proverbs 24:3-4 NIV
Amanda, West Des Moines, IA
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7 ESV
Salt Lake City, Ut
Those who hope in me will not be disappointed. Isaiah 49:23
Julie Norman, Oklahoma.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
Romans 8:26 NIV
Shannon Salazar, Jackson, WY
4 since the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 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
Chrissie Thatcher, Las Vegas, 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. Isaih 40:31 (NIV)
Keaton Lovell
McCurtain, Oklahoma
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. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€19‬ NLT)
Rejoice in the Lord always, I say rejoice. Philippians 4:4
Lisa Stone – Sachse, TX – “God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.” – Psalm 52:2 – MSG
Lezli. OKC, OK. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Susan Wolf Kings,Il 1-1-2015 11:30 pm
Philippians 4:6-7New International Version (NIV)
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus