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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Linda Appleby, Newark, Delaware “Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” (â€Exodus‬ â€34‬:â€6-7‬ NASB)”
Miriam from Columbia, SC
“There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides You; there is no rock like our God.”
1 Samuel 2:2 ESV
Lori Johnson, Auburn, MA But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ. I John 2:27 NLT
Philppians 4:6-8, “Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your heart and mind as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. NLT
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9
All things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to a His purpose.
Romans 8:28
Lisa Lavy, new carlisle, oh:
Isaiah 42:1 ESV
Behold my servant whom I uphold. My chosen, in whom my soul delights;I have put my spirit upon HIM, he will bring forth justice to the nations.
Rachel Cleveland, Jackson, TN
When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD,I will seek.” Ps 27:8 NKJV
I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like a mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.” Isaiah 44:22
Be strong and of good courage, Don’t fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God he is the one who goes with you. He will not leave or forsake you. NKJV DEUTERONOMY 3:16
Carol, Fort Worth, TX
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Sarah Fox, Springfield, MO
“Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.” Psalm 143:8a NIV
Rita Nelson, Splendora, Tx
But when you pray go away by yourself and shut the door behind you and pray to your Father in private then your Father who sees everything will reward you. Matthew 6:6
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Romans 5:1 (NLT)
Laura a Fletcher , Houston, Texas
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own for you were bought at a price . So glorify God in your body.”
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV)
Crystal Moore, Saint john, NB (Canada)
Deuteronomy 6:5
Love God, your God, with your whole heart; love him with all that’s in you, love him with all you’ve got! (MSG)
Kimberley Marshall, Westland,MI ~ Psalm 8:9 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth ♡♡♡
2 Timothy 1:10 NKJV
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Adrin Fisher from Fairmont,WV: “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 desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:28-19, NIV
Niki from Kampala, Uganda
I wait for The Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope, Psalm 130:5
Sandy TenHarmsel, Holland, MI, “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him.” Psalm 91:1-2 NLT
Amy Mathison, Carmel, IN “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1 NIV
Idea me , Hendersonville , NC
Put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption. He himself will redeem me from all my sins. Psalms 103: 7-8. NIV
Rachel W. Minneapolis, MN. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (â€Romans‬ â€15‬:â€13‬, NIV)
Tracy, Medicine Lodge, Ks
Ephesians 2:10 NLT
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing new things! 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
Lori Thompson from Lake Placid, FL
Ephesians 4:29 New International Version
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.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 NIV
Laurie from Quinton, Virginia
And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, “Samuel,Samuel.” Then Samuel answered, “Speak; for thy servant heareth.” I Samuel 3:10 KJV
Beth Brovold, Andover, MN. “How kind the LORD is! How good He is! So merciful, this God of ours!” Psalm 116:5 NIV
Joli in Blackshear, GA….Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. 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.
Lisa Creamer-Austin, TX-Isaiah 43:2 NASB When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.
So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he will be there in no time. James:4. THE MSG
Amy Vining, Keithville, Louisiana. “But prove yourself doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” James 1:22 NAS
Michelle Chase, Montclair, VA
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 ESV
Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength, they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31
Karen, Norfolk, VA: If I speak in the tongue of men and of angels, and have not love, I am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1
As you unwrap my words they will impart to you true life and radiant health into the very core of your being. Proverbs4:22 (thepassiontranslation)
Donna Hazelwood
Pell City, Alabama
Jessica Nelson Union, Maine
Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when called to got to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. NIV
Kim Haines, Ashland, ME
Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Lisa, Carl Junction, MO
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Ps 91:1 NIV
Christen Colvert Birmingham, AL
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. Col 1:10 ESV
Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. Luke 1:68 NIV
Deb Charlotte, NC John 1:16
And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.
Shamere Ayen, Pea Ridge, AR. “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Cari, Huntington, WV: So all who believe as Abraham believed are blessed just as Abraham was. Galatians‬ â€3‬:â€9‬ NCV
Amy HI, Chestfield, VA
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3 NIV
Rachel Mason. London UK. The Lord watches over you- the Lord is your shade at your right hand. Psalm 121 v5 NIV
Kristen hvidsten, Stephen , MN
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 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, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. (â€Ephesians‬ â€1‬:â€17-19‬ NIV)
Gwen from Coweta, Oklahoma
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). (â€John‬ â€10‬:â€10‬ AMP)