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 we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (â€2 Corinthians‬ â€4‬:â€7‬, KJV)”
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26 NIV
Xi’an, China
“Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9
Amy Wickel,Turlock,Ca
I am the vine, you are the branches.If a man remains in me and I in him he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.John 15:5 NIV
And being confident in this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 6:1 NIV
Amy; Pleasanton, CA: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
Angela W. Poulsbo: These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (â€Deuteronomy‬ â€6‬:â€6-7‬ NIV)
Yvonne Martinez, Elk Grove, CA. “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him. Jeremiah 17:7(NIV)
NIV He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
As I try to be Christ’s hands and feet, if I ‘do what the Lord requires of me’ I will come much closer to loving like Christ loves us.
Karen Anderson, Visalia, CA.
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (â€Psalm‬ â€27‬:â€14‬ ESV)
“Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed — and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.
Acts of the Apostles 3:16 NLT
Allegany, NY
“What can happen without the Lord’s permission”. Lamentations 3:37
Joanna, Enumclaw Wa. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 ESV
Elizabeth Howard-Yigo,Guam (yes the island 🙂 “First, I tell you to pray for all people, asking God for what they need and being thankful to him.” 1 Timothy 2:1 NCV
Robin Silver ,Corona California, For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 7 NIV
Kathy Cox Attwood, IN “And the Peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus”. Phil 4:7 NIV
Sarah, Christina and Esther May Marion Wenatchee, WA
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7 NIV
Leslie, Virginia
“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy” Colossians 1:11 ESV
I forgot: Ella from San Angelo TX
NIV He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
As I try to be Christ’s hands and feet, if I ‘do what the Lord requires of me’ I will come much closer to loving like Christ loves us.
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:7-8 NKJV
Lindsey, Puyallup, WA
For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” (â€Zephaniah‬ â€3‬:â€17‬ NLT)
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth…1John 3:18
Cindy Behmer, Wilton, CA “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” Eph 1:7 NKJV
Acts 2:17-“in the last days, God says, I will pour out my spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”
Carrie M, Honolulu, HI
Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path.
Proverbs 3:5,6. NIV
Matthew 6:33-34 NLT
“Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously and He will give you everything you need.
So don;t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring it’s own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Michaella, Whangarei, New Zealand “Your word is a lamp to my feet and light for my path” NIV psalm 119-105
Jody Yamaguchi, Kaneohe, HI, “but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah‬ â€40‬:â€31‬ ESV
JoAnne, Sterling, Virginia …. “Look, The Lord your God has set the land before you; go up and posses it, as The Lord God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.”
Deut.1:21 NKJ
Gabrielle K, Charlotte Mi, Micah 6:8 MSG
Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.
Dammam, Saudi Arabia – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
Jeannine Bookout, Mobile
Behold I will do a new thing, now it will spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 NKJV
Karen, Rialto,CA. “Oh the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night”. Psalm 1:1-2 NLT.
Bridget, Moorpark, CA.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:12
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. Isa 43:19 NIV
Long Beach, CA
Kaaren Provence
Bend, Oregon
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory. 1 Peter 1:8, ESV
For nothing will be impossible with God. Luke 1:37 I hold this close to my heart
Nancy, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. “Now then,” said Joshua, “throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.” 1984NIV
DebbieWeese, Gallatin, TN
“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray.
Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.
James 5:13. NIV
Mililani, Hawaii
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8 NIV
Stephanie G., from Encinitas, CA
“Do 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.”
Romans 12:2 NIV
Nixa, Mo
Though you have not seen him, you love him, and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV
Kimberly Mason, Tuscaloosa, AL
Colossians 4:3 NKJV
“meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ.”
Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 NLT
Carolyn Duncan, Kingspot , TN
Matthew 1: 20-21
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Stacy Frith – Hinckley, England
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is evil. Hold tightly to what is good. Romans 12:1 NLT
Angie Patrick, Sheldon, MO ~ He must become greater; I must become less.” (â€John‬ â€3‬:â€30‬ NIV)
Diane Schwartz, Peoria AZ
I am the vine; you are the branches, If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Lynn Polk, Rock Hill
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me.” John 15:4 NLT
Megan Raines, san clemente, california.
“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