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) Ā 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 ofĀ 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 areĀ 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:Ā
Your name, city, verse (written all the way out), reference, and translation.Ā
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 citizensĀ with the saints and members of the household of God.”Ā 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 householdĀ all we’ve got. Christ is so altogether worthy.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! One last thing before I say Go!Ā 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 upĀ on the SSMT informational comments. Ā 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. Ā I know it’s a bit complicated at first! Hang with it!Ā So sorry for your extra trouble!
Hey, I am so glad you’re doing this with us. So much love to you.
OK, GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
Canyon, TX. “Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble if it’s own”. Matthew 6:34 NIV
Barbara, Saint Louis, Missouri
Ephesians 1:2- Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Christi Copes, Grafenwoehr, Germany
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” – Isaiah 43:19 ESV
Jill Yochim, Nashville,Tn., Is 43:18: Forget the former things;do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! HCS
Teri K., Fort Wayne, in
John 3:16 NIV (my favorite)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved, but h that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once. Proverbs 28:18 KJV
dean jones, barbourville, Ky.- “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
Lynn Shelfer, Arcadia, FL
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10 KJV
Linda
Littleton NH
āThe steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace,
Because he trusts in You.
Is. 26:3 NASB
Kristina Baringer, Oviedo, FL. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27.
Beth, Pittsburgh, PA: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7, NIV
Laura Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it say it again: REJOICE. Let your gentleness be evident to all. Philippians 4:4&5. NIV
Kathy MacGraw Grandville MI
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
Sheila Lunsford, Ft. Myers Florida ” And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:14 (NKJV)
Daniel 2:20-21 New Living Translation
Praise the name of God forever and ever
for He has all wisdom and power
He controls the course of world events
He removes kings and sets up other kings
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the scholars
Ginny, Ooltewah, TN: “You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 NLT
Jenny, Des Moines, IA
On coming to the house they saw the child with his mother Mary and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and of myrrh. Mat 2:11 NIV
Stephanie. Grapevine, Texas.
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations [a]forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 (NASB)
A. Lance, Blythewood, South Carolina
“Therefore, humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in proper time” 1 Peter 5:6
Hebrews 12:1 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,
Nicole Kelley, Orange Park, Florida
“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.” Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Teresa Fendley, Live Oak, Texas – For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty, only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Galatians 5: 13-14 KJV
Posted this on the FB feed and just read it needs to be here instead! So sorry!
Philippians 1:9-11
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-to the glory and praise of Gpd.
Regina Kuykendall. Chesapeake, VA. 2Kings 23:3 (NKJV). Then the king stood by a pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, to follow the Lord and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people took a stand for the covenant.
Teresa Sprouse Bridgewater VA
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. (āPsalmsā¬ ā51ā¬:ā12ā¬ NLT)
Sue Horstmann Staples Mn As it is said: Today if you hear HIS voice do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. Hebrews3:15 NKJ
Deb, Avon, OH. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ the new creation has come, the old has gone, the new is here.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Ellen Wetzel, Park Ridge, IL “Say therefore to the people of Israel, āI am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the Lord.āā Exodus 6:6-8 ESV
Valerie , san antonio tx āForget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!ā -Isaiah 43:18-19a NIV
Leah Arlington, WA
“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
From Claypool,IN Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear,for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am you God.I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Gretchen Malcolm, Westminster, MD
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
Romans 8:38 NLT
Sue Horstmann Staples Mn Therefore He says: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.Hebrews4:6 NKJ
Pamela Shaw, Bangor, Northern Ireland. “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 43:18-19 (NIV)
Nicki from North Carolina 2Peter 1:3
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. (ā2 Peterā¬ ā1ā¬:ā3ā¬ NLT)
Lorraine Jerdon, New Tripoli, PA. “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply from the heart.” 1 Peter 1:22
Lisa Heibult, Sibley, Iowa
“All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:2-3 (NIV)
Kim Losh, Mechanicburg, PA
An old man’s grandchildren are his crowning glory.
Proverbs 17:16 TLB
Brenda Wilder
Pell City, AL
1 Thess. 5:24
He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.
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.
Rom. 8:38-39 (NIV)
“what manner of love the Father has for us that we might be called His children”
1John3:1
Amanda from Monrovia, Indiana. You were taught, with regard to your former way to 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
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ,he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Shannon Hillegeist, Houston, TX
Galatians 5: 22-23 NIV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Matthew 9:29
“Then He touched their eyes, and He said,” Because of your faith, it will happen.”
Michelle Humbert
Cleveland,tn
Ps.107:20-21 ESV He sent forth his word and healed them and delivered them from their destruction.Let them thank The Lord for his steadfast love,for his wondrous works to the children of man
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Eph 2:10 NASB
Job 11:12-15 NIV
“Yet if you devote your heart to him, and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then, free of fault, you will stand firm and without fear.
Janette Winship, St Petersburg, FL
Katie T from Baltimore, MD
We have this hope as an anchor for our soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:19