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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. 1 Peter 2:9-10(MSG)
“For from of old they have not heard nor perceived by ear, neither has the eye seen a God besides Thee, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him. Thou dost meet him. Who rejoices in doing righteousness, who remembers Thee in Thy ways. Isaiah 64:4-5
Kathy Webb, Kansas City, KS
“For Thou hast been a shelter for me and a strong tower from the enemy.”
Psalm 61:3, KJV
kanchana , Yorba Linda says I will lift up my un to the hills where does my help come from, my help comes from the lord, the maker of Heaven and earth. Psalms121:1
Kimyetta Hayden, Jonesboro, GA
I will exalt you, Lord for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. Psalm 30, NIV
Mary Dawn – Roswell, New Mexico.
Joshua 1:9. This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. NLT
Lori Ledoux
Beaumont, Texas
Blessed are those who fear the Lord , and who walk in his ways.
Psalm 128:1 NAB
Sandi Keller
Clackamas, OR
” 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.”
2 Cor 12:9 NIV
20But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Jude 1:25 kjV
Cheri Alexander, Conway, AR, “Love The Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30 NiV
“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
LaRae, Kenai, AK. – You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13 NLT
Tie Street Houston, TX. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (â€Philippians‬ â€1‬:â€6‬ ESV)
“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.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Romans 8:1-2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Angie, Whittier, CA
“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.”
Ps 119:15 ESV
“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
Amanda Dales, Rockhampton, Queensland
For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Lisa-Careywood Id. Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourelves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.”
Melva Melendez from San Diego, CA….”Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.” Psalm 119:133 NIV
Linda Lamont, Oshkosh,Wi
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 ESV
Vanessa, Calgary, Alberta
Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. (â€Proverbs‬ â€16‬:â€24‬ NLT)
Christina Ballard
Everett, Washington
James 1:5
“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously a d without criticizing, and it will be given to him” (hscb)
Kelly Kansas
14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. Col 2:14-15 NKJV
Tanya Ballard
Everett Washington
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. (â€James‬ â€1‬:â€5‬ HCSB)
Anita Holden, Palm Desert,CA
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14 NIV
1 Peter 5:10 nlt
In His kindness God called you (me) to His eternal glory by means of Jesus Christ. After you(I) have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you(me), and He will place you(me) on a firm foundation.
Wendi Smith, Modesto, CA
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
Isiah 41:10 NIV.
Connie Trostrud, Potlatch Idaho, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer” Psalm 19:14 NKJV
Hannah, Fuquay Varina, NC. “Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:11 (NIV)
Emily Jay, Shalimar, Florida. “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.” Hebrews 12:1
Penny Ledbetter, Graham,Texas:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Phillipians 2:3
Mary Anne Jester, Gilbert, La
“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 HCSB
Jennifer Strange, San Jose, CA
“My eager desire and hope being that I may never feel ashamed, but that now as ever I may do honor to Christ in my own person by fearless courage.” Philippians 1:20 (Moffat)
Janice, Lebanon,Mo
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 to you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:25-26 NIV
Angela Scott Lexington, Tennessee
“Every good and perfect (free,large,full) gift comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation or shadow cast by His turning.” James 1:17 AMP
Mary Fanara, Independence, MO
“Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord;
His going out is sure as the dawn;
He will come to us as the showers,
as the spring rains that water the earth.”
Hosea 6:3 ESV
Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.NIV
Long Beach CA
Morgan Murphy, Muscle Shoals, AL
“I repeat, be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic, for I, the LORD your God, am with you in all you do.” Joshua‬ â€1‬:â€9‬ (NET)
Debi, Liberty Lake, WA
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.
Psalms 138:8
Yahweh will perfect that which concerneth me;…
Love that! Based on KJV.
Holly Shealy, Fulshear, TX “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 ESV
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you oh Lord my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 HCSB
Barbara, New Orleans, Louisiana
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed.For His compassion fail not. They are new every morning, Great is thy faithfulness. Lam.3:22-23 Nkjv
Terri, Victoria, & Jessica-Michelle Monette from Houston, TX
“She is clothed in strength and dignity. She can laugh without fear of the future”
-Proverbs 31:25
Lori, Pueblo West, CO. “God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us.” ~ Ephesians 3:20 MSG
Kelly Berrong Scottsboro, AL
“Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid;
For the Lord God is my strength and my song,
And He has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 12:2 ESV
Renee, Jamul, CA
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)
Jess Cannon, Ojai, CA “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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (â€2 Corinthians‬ â€12‬:â€9‬ ESV)
Angela Linzay, La Verne, Ca. “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able top keep his whole body in check.” James 3:1-2 NIV