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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 NIV
Sandy whittle cincinnati ohio
Be not forgetful to entertain
Strangers:for thereby some have entertained
Angels unaware. Hebrews 13:2 KJV
Megan Gibbons, Oxfordshire, England “We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
Lorre, Salem, IL. 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 a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Cheryl from Monroe, OH “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” NASB
This is my New Years resolution!!!
Stephanie Obatake, Waipahu, Hawaii, Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good. Romans 12:9, NIV
I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGHTHENS ME
Aunt Moo, Cochranton, PA
Jeremiah 29:11 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.
Chelsea, JBER, Alaska
40 1-3 I waited and waited and waited for God.
At last he looked; finally he listened.
He lifted me out of the ditch,
pulled me from deep mud.
He stood me up on a solid rock
to make sure I wouldn’t slip.
He taught me how to sing the latest God-song,
a praise-song to our God.
More and more people are seeing this:
they enter the mystery,
abandoning themselves to God.
Katie Leversuch, Brighton, UK
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 ESV
Lisa Wight, St. George, Maine: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26 KJV
Heidi Daum, Canton GA
“Behold, I will do a new thing; now shall it spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Isiaiah 43:19 ASV
Debbie Butler, Morristown , TN
“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.”
Colossians 4:2 NLT
I am a new creation in Christ, the old is gone, the new is in Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit.II Corinthians 5:17
Krysten Smart, Zanesville, Ohio “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.
Isaiah 43:16 NIV
Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand. Holman Christian Standard
Bethany, Magnolia, TX
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 (ESV)
Donna Springgay, Wellington, New Zealand
Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV) “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 on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and opposition from such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Anne, Rosemount, MN
When you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else. I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.
Jeremiah 29:13 MSG
Kind words heal and help;
Cutting words wound and
maim. Proverbs 15:4 MSG
Alana Beverly, Chillicothe, OH “Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself”. (â€2 Timothy‬ â€2‬:â€11-13‬ NIV)
Nancy Manion, Wadsworth Ohio
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to seperate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NIV
Ali England, Rockwall,TX
Then the cloud (HS) covered the tent of meeting, and the Glory of The Lord filled the tabernacle.
Exodus 40:34
I did not receive my verse for Jan. 1. How do I retrieve it? Thank you
Tonya Hardy, Istanbul, Turkey “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
Vicky, Ft. Myers, Fl – So now, faith, hope and love abide, these three. But the greatest of these us love. 1 Cor 13:13 ESV
Jacquelyn, Wadsworth, Ohio
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 NIV
Isaiah 45:24. Only in The Lord, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed all who are incensed against him. ESV
Carla Brice, Saginaw, TX
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5,6 (ESV)
“For no weapon formed against you shall prosper and every tongue raised up in judgment against you, you shall show to be in the wrong. This peace, this righteousness, this triumph over opposition – this is the inheritance that they obtain from Me sayeth the Lord. Isaiah 54:17 Amplified
1/2/2015@0438am.
1Kings 2:3 KJV
3 And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:
Charlene Sarver, Cookeville, TN
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17 (NIV)
Emma Thompson, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand Romans 12v2 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. (NIV)
Kaye, King, NC. The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9 ESV
Tammy Skogen, Greeley, CO, —“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,” Ephesians 1:18, NIV
Esther van Dijk, Lelystad, The Netherlands (Europe).
“Bidt tot de HEER voor jouw stad. Zet je in voor haar bloei. Want de bloei van de stad is ook jullie bloei”. Jer. 29:7
Natalie Olympia, WA
For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (â€Matthew‬ â€7‬:â€8‬ NIV)
Isaiah 43:19 NIV. “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.”
Angelia Koskela, Knoxville, TN
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 king james
Kim Vander Helm, Allendale, MI
O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours?
Deuteronomy 3:24
Christa from Peoria AZ
Luke 1:45 (NIV)
45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
Angela from lake Stevens, wa
Hebrews 13:5
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”
Leah Adams ~ Blairsville, Georgia
1 Thessalonians 1:1 (NIV)
Paul, Silas, and Timothy: To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you.
Jaci Josephs, Cape Town, South Africa,
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. King James Version (KJV)
Pat, Archdale, NC – 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)
I Thessalonians 4: 16-17
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a fnshout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive fnand remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
Sheila McFarlane, Eagle, ID. “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:6,7 ESV.
Colleen, Lyndonville, NY
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 NIV
Eva Ayer, Calhoun, KY, 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., 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV