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 the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh:yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. Genesis 6:3
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)
Deb Nelson – Aledo, IL
Psalm 86:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. KJV
Bubby Jennings, Sydney, Australia
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:10-12 AMP
Penny Bray, Sacramento, CA
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
Seriously need to restart my memory banks, memorization is vital when sharing God’s word. Must admit for quite sometime now I have allied myself to become lazy and sticking to my own agenda. Thank you for sharing and lighting that spark again inside me. God bless sweet sister
Amberley – Pasco, WA
~~ “Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.” ~~
Psalm 25:5(NLT)
Eagle Point, OR “Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desires of our heart.” Isaiah 26:8 NIV
Janneth Fangmeyer, Tacoma, WA
Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly holds it back. Prov. 29:11
Stacy ~ Imperial, Nebraska ~ 20 Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name. Psalm 33:20,21 NKJ
Chery Adams, Madisonville, TX “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
Laura, Greenbrier, AR. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33, NIV
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (â€Ephesians‬ â€4‬:â€1-3‬ ESV)
Dana Gaither, New Orleans, LA “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (â€Matthew‬ â€6‬:â€33‬ NLT)
Ephesians 1:3 New International Version (NIV)
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Sharon, San Antonio. “So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.” Psalm 90:12 NRSV
Laura in Lawrence, KS: “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30 NIV)
Tiajuana Moss, Buna, Texas. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Ephesians 3:20 NKJV
Proverbs 16:3: commit to the Lord whatever you do and He will establish your plans….
Beverley, Campbell River, BC, Canada
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
Psalm 28:7
(New International Version)
Sarah, Wichita Falls, TX
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
Proverbs 25:28 ESV
Mt. Holly, AR
John 9:31King James Version (KJV)
31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
Hannah, Jackson,TN “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the Faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 KJV
Me too! Lea Sheppard. Monroe, LA
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (â€Ephesians‬ â€4‬:â€1-3‬ ESV)
Kathy Longe – Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.
May Your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.
Psalm 143:10 NLT
Kateigh B, Snohomish, WA.
The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 NIV
Loke Beauregard, Chatsworth CA,Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (â€Psalm‬ â€51‬:â€12‬ NIV)
Laura Suffield. Houston, Texas “For I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live in Christ Jesus, who loved me and gave himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20
NASB
Dawn Nelson, Wayzata, MN
O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced. Save me, for you do what is right. Turn your ear to listen to me; rescue me quickly. Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe. You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger. Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me, for I find protection in you alone. I entrust my spirit into your hand. Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God. Psalm 31:1 – 5, New Living Translation
Caroline Young, Houston, TX
“as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.” Philippians 1:20 ESV
Shannon Scarborough, Shelby, MT, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV
Sloan Rohrer; Edmond, OK
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” -Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
But your hearts must be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time. 1Kings 8:61 NIV
Lincoln City, OR. Romans 12:2 Don not conform any longer 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. (NIV)
Christine, Kandern, Germany
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Yolanda, Monterrey, Mexico
“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” Eph. 3:20
“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
Amy Jo Ford, Tacoma, Wa
Psalms 51:12 NIV “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.”
1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Danielle Norfleet – Morrisville, NC
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)
I posted earlier but couldn’t find my comment. I searched through the time and comment number but never saw it. I apologize if this is a double entry.
Courtney Burnside, Chicora, PA. “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
Shelley Meyer, Katy, TX “But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me”. Micah 7:7 ESV
Cortney Dlapa, New Berlin WI
“I do not set aside the grave of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing.” Galatians 2:21 NIV
Patty Howard, Long Beach, Ca
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you
The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace” Numbers 7-24-26 NIV
Tammy from White House, TN
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
Brooke Pacini, Southern California: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (â€Colossians‬ â€3‬:â€23-24‬ NIV)
Kelly Smith, De Leon, TX
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. (â€Isaiah‬ â€60‬:â€1‬ NIV)
Tami Emmerson, Ventura, CA
Phil 4:6-8 NLT
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (â€Philippians‬ â€4‬:â€6-8‬ NLT)
Kelly Koenig, Springfield, KY
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.
Col. 3:16
Lori, Wiesbaden Germany
1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love