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) 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:
Your name, city, verse (written all the way out), reference, and translation.
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shana Hodge, DeQuincy, LA
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV)
Rose Toews, Winkler, MB,Canada: “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.” (Isaiah 43:19 NIV)
Melissa Falls
JEREMIAH 29:11 NKJV
I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Plano, TX
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” ~1 John 4:9-11 (NIV)
Julie Huffman, Bothell, WA 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. James 1:12 esv
Liz Strathman, Las Vegas, NV
“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.” John 1:18-20, NIV
Debbie Evans, Ojai, 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
Gretchen Kinchen, Lexington, KY “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.” Isaiah 43:19 NLT
Lori Wright, Waxahachie, TX “But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7 NLT
Stephanie Kirk, Granbury TX
“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 Gods will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 NIV
Kim Pemberton, Louisville, Ky. “Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. ” (Psalm 62:2 NIV)
Lesli Kohout, Oceanside, CA
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 ESV
Carrie, Eure, NC
This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24 NLT
Debbie Principe, San Diego, CA
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39, KJV
Kelly McCargar, Walnut Creek, CA.
“Enter His gates with THANKSGIVING and His courts with praise. Give THANKS to Him, bless His name.”
Summer Hoyle, Elk Grove, 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
Alicia Estrada-Home, San Antonio, TX, “So encourage each other to build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:13 NIV
Jessica Hawney, San Jose, CA, Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. (Psalms 51:12 NLT)
DJ Levels
We speak under the solemn sense of being trusted by God with the Gospel. We do not aim to please men, but to please God who knows us through and through. 1 Thessalonians 2:4,5 J.B. Phillips
Angel Reil, Orillia, Ontario, Canada
Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song;
He also has become my salvation.’
Isaiah 12:2 New King James Version (NKJV)
Hannah Pruitt, Russellville, Arkansas
You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. (1 Peter 3:4 NLT)
Savannah Jewel, Nashville, Tennessee.
“58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”
Matthew 13:58 (King James Version)
Patty Oji, Plainfield, IL. “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
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 ESV
Yesenia, Bakersfield CA “this is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” NVI John 15:8
Dawn Doty, Tijeras, NM
Isaiah 58: 11
The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. NKJ
“Enter His gates with THANKSGIVING and His courts with praise. Give THANKS to Him, bless His name.” Psalm 100:4 NASB
Mine isn’t showing up?
Wendy Falanga, Rio Rancho, NM
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,
Colossians 1:9(ESV)
Amy from Shorewood IL
Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. (Isaiah 25:1 NIV)
Philippians 4:13 i can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me
Kelly Mercer – Neenah, WI
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
Nicole B., Gallup, NM, “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” I John 1:5, NIV
Rachel ~ Nashville, TN
“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.” -Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 ESV
Faith Brady from Wichita Falls TX: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that Gods Spirit swells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy and you are that temple.” ESV
Dana Kelley- The Woodlands, Tx
“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.”
Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Adelina, Fort Wayne, Indiana. “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
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
Jacquie Bachman, Ayr,Nebraska, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NLT
Denise Turner, Colton, CA. “May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you.” Psalm 25:21 NIV
Stephanie Englehart, Seattle, WA
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
Deuteronomy 7:9 Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Cheryl, Redlands, CA: Psalms 90:14
“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”
Becca, Monterey CA.
“For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” ~ Romans 6:14 NIV
Leslie, Tracy, CA- “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV)
Leisl Stoufer, Torrance, CA
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes upon Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time. (Hebrews 4:16 HCSB)
2 Corinthians 12:9….”My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”