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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anita Livingston – Odem, Texas
2 Corinthians 4:18
“For we fix our attention not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever.”
Edite Supe Tartu Estonia
I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I never will be shaken. Psalms 62:1-2 NLT
Diane – Portland, Oregon – Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:2-3 NIV
Jordan Weller, St. Louis, MO.
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Mathew 16:24 NIV.
Kristi, Anchorage, Alaska. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.” Psalm 111:10, NIV.
Muchele, Lakeland, FL, And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you 1Thessalonians 4:11 KJV
LaDonna Jackson, Bodfish, California “And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed” Deuteronomy 31:8 NKJV
“For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Rebekah Lozano, Sanger, California: “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1 (NLT)
13 It is written, “I believed, and so I have spoken.” (Psalm 116:10) We have that same spirit of faith. So we also believe and speak. 14 We know that God raised the Lord Jesus from the dead. And he will also raise us up with Jesus. And he will present both you and us to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit. God’s grace is reaching more and more people. So they will become more and more thankful. They will give glory to God. 2 Corinthian 4:13-15
Mindy Johnson, Oakdale, CA
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 3:8:38-39 NIV
Shelly, Whittier, CA
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord…”
Acts 3:19
Stephanie, Cypress, TX
“33 Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. 34 Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.” Psalm 33-34 NIV
Angela Yost
W Lafayette, IN
Eph 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Mark 10:45- For even the son of God did not come to be served but to serve. The Father has asked much of me in the way of crisis and has blessed me to be His light, how loved I feel to have walked thru so very many fires and find myself still so safe in His arms! Thank you Lord
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
Sheryl Ponsness, OR “You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3
Amanda W. Western Canada
God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. (â€Psalm‬ â€46‬:â€5‬ NIV)
Giordanna Queiroz, Seattle, WA
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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (â€Jeremiah‬ â€29‬:â€11-13‬ NIV)
Anita Livingston – Odem, Texas
“For we fix our attention not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever.”
2 Corinthians 4:18 TEV
Emily Jenkins Morristown, Tn-
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (â€Hebrews‬ â€4‬:â€16‬ ESV)
Carolyn Smith, Lindenhurst, IL
“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 NIV
Tori-Dickinson,ND
So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
Colossians 1:10 ESV
Dianne Jones, Fairfield, CA – We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV)
Delaine Dimsdale, Greenwood,South Carolina
Isaiah 43:18-19
18 “Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
19 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.
Amie Stacy, Fate, Texas “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV
Nancy from Riverside, CA
Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” NIV
Branette, Sequim, WA “But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place” (2 Cor 2:14, NASB).
Shannon, Elk Grove, CA Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Psalm 115:8. Those who make idols are like them , so are all who trust in idols and lean on them. Mossel Bay , South Africa
Renee Enumclaw, WA
Ephesians 1:
22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. NKJV
Cricket Witt Absarokee MT. I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet upon a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:1-3 NIV
Riverside, CA. Ephesians 4:29 (esv) Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
But rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:13 (NIV)
Michelle Pendleton, Rancho Cucamonga, CA. “But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (â€Matthew‬ â€19‬:â€26‬ NKJV)
Sara z
La crosse WI
“and this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight” Philippians 1:9 NIV
Co loss ians 3:1-2 since then you have been raised with Christ,set your hearts on things above,where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above,not on earthly things. NIV
Lindsey Mattox, Selah, WA “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
Kimberly, Ramstien, Germany
” Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what the nature desire; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.” Romans 8:5-8 NIV
Pam C, Greenwich, CT
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
hey shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 ESV
Christine Usher,Bremerton,WA
“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 God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Tracie; Honolulu, HI. “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 NIV
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
[6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Jennifer Browning, Grand Prairie, TX
Elizabeth Thompson, Florence, Alabama “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews‬ â€4‬:â€16‬ NASB
Robyn Gilbert, Singapore Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me! (NASB)
Rebecca Manzi ~ Daegu, South KoreaDo 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
Julie Love, Tallahassee, FL
“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.” Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3
Lori, Modesto, CA
So let’s not get tired of doing what us good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9 NLT
Lorilee, Chambersburg, PA
But the one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual does, this man will be blessed in what he does.
James 1:25 NASB