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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ryanne Boes, Amersfoort, The Netherlands
Moge Hij u geven wat uw hart verlangt en al uw plannen doen slagen. Psalm 20:5
Galatians 5:22-23New International Version (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
Christina Auman, Kannapolis, NC
Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 HCSB
Ashley Gray, Charleston, SC. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV
Yeniset Abad, Mansfield TX
1 Corinthians 13:2 NLT
If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.
Jeanette Gaylord. Science Hill Kentucky. Jeremiah 2:25 “Slow down. Take a deep breath. What’s the hurry? Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway?”
Erica Green- Sykesville, MD -Ezekiel 11:19 “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.”
“I shall delight in Your statues; I shall not forget Your word.” Psalm 119:16 NASB
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Sarajo LaGrange, GA 30241 Psalm 3:3-4 NIV. But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my Glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the Lord, and He answers me from His Holy mountain.
Christy Bauman, Deer Creek, IL
Consider (Jesus) that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Hebrews 12:3
Sara Bergey Telford, PA
“As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord. (â€Isaiah‬ â€59‬:â€21‬ NIV)
Lynne, Mozambique island, Mozambique, Africa Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,humility, gentleness and patience. Col 3:12 NIV.
Netherlands, Bunschoten-Spakenburg
Proef, en geniet de goedheid van de HEER, gelukkig de mens die bij hem schuilt (psalm 34:9)
Carol Branning, Carrollton, Texas. Lamentation 3:22 (ESV) The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end;
Vanessa Arrington, Inwood,WV
Psalms 21:23 NLT
Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.
Roswell, Georgia
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.” Phillipians 4:6 (NLT)
Cambridge, England
to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Eph 3:19 NKJV
Denise from Texas
“Look to The Lord and his strength; seek his face always..”
Psalm 105:4 NIV
Tiffany, Nicholasville, KY
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in my house. Test Me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “& see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven & pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
Malachi 3:10, NIV
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. NIV Psalm 105:4.
Sandy Sutter Millstaft, IL: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and His mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10 (NIV)
therefore there is no temptation taking you but such as is common to man but God is faithful that with temptation he will make a way for you to escape it that you may be able to bear it.
“I shall not die but live and declare the works and recount the illustrious acts of The Lord”. Psalm 118:17 (AMP)
Diana
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. (â€Jeremiah‬ â€29‬:â€11‬ NIV)
Kimberly Gholson, Waurika, Oklahoma. “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. Ephesians 5:20 NIV.
Thank you for all you do.
From Coldwater,Michigan..Isaiah 41:10 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 right hand.
Michelle Crawford, Kansas, OK
“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” Psalm 18:32
Lara Lee Bugeja, Royal Palm Beach, FL
Psalm 34:13, ESV
Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
Kelley, Shelby Twp, MI– “To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction. Pro 12:1 NLT
Kathy, Milan, TN
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:8 KJV
“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)
“I shall not die but live and declare the works and recount the illustrious acts of The Lord.” Psalm 118:17 (AMP)
Kelly, Whiteland Indiana: Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (â€Galatians‬ â€6‬:â€1‬ KJV)
Cheryl Boise,ID
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord , my strength, and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14 KJV
Toni, Greer, SC, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6. NIVn
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (â€Psalm‬ â€119‬:â€11‬ NIV)
Michelle Smith, Ottawa, KS. ” For the Lord is the Spirit. And wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17, NLT
Nikki Rach, Lake Nona, FL, “‘Everything is permissible for me’- but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible for me’- but I will not be mastered by anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV.
Meredith Pross, Jacksonville, NC
Psalm 16:5-6 NASB
“The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.”
Melisa Rousseau, Huntington, NY, ““But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV
Becky, Morganton, NC
Colossians 1:11,12
10 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. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy
Anissa, Uniontown, Ohio. “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15, NIV
Ruth Panuccio, Pittsburgh, PA.
“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 uphold you with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NRSV
Corinthians 10:13 (KJV)
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Donna,texas
Psalm 62:5, KJV
My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
Dar – Redford, Mi
Eph 5:1 – ESV
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
Becky Cauldwell, Danville, IN
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
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. 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 e with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)