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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Terinna Hendrix, Charleston SC. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (â€Isaiah‬ â€40‬:â€31‬ KJV)
Ephesians 2:8-9. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.
Brenda Loss, Lewistown, MT. “How happy are those who have learned how to praise You; those who journey through life by the light of Your face.” Psalm 89:15 The Voice
Jenny Dixon, Geismar, LA
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9New International Version (NIV)
Carolyn Roberson-Hardy, Kennesaw, GA. “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh, is anything to hard for Me.” Jeremiah 32:27 NKJV.
I am of God and have overcome satan. For greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4
Stephanie, Morgantown, WV. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 ESV.
1st Chronicles 4:10b
“Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be on me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I might not cause pain”So God granted him what he requested.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galations 5:25NKJV
Meegan, Winter Garden, FL
The one thing I ask of the LORD — the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. (â€Psalms‬ â€27‬:â€4‬ NLT)
1 Peter: 5-6
Therefore humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that He might exalt you in due time.
Kelly, Crawfordsville, IN, My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You because You have redeemed me. (â€Psalms‬ â€71‬:â€23‬ HCSB)
Jennifer Bywaters from Atlanta, Georgia. “The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand. ” (â€Psalms‬ â€37‬:â€23-24‬ NLT)
Kim Thrower, Houston, TX. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing. It is the gift of God, not the result of works, so that no one may boast” Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV
Pam, Wilmington, NC
Peace I leave with you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 NKJV
Lori Ann, Owasso, OK
Isaiah 43:19 (GNT)
‘Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already—you can see it now! I will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there.’
“The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3
Amy Sterling Heights, Michigan
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. 2 Corinthians 2:14 ESV
Cheryl Hoover, Peninsula, OH
Therefore, God’s chosen one, holy and beloved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Col. 3:12 HCSB
Pam Anderson, Canton, MS, “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
Liz, Woodbridge, VA: If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Mildred Chalmers, St. Peters, Montserrat.
Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. Psalms 119:73 NIV
Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41.10.nasb
Katie, Hope Hull, AL
2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV
We live by faith, not by sight.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
But you beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. Jude 1:20-21
Katie Smith, Fort Worth, Texas
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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (â€2 Corinthians‬ â€12‬:â€9‬ NIV)
Candice Davis, Greensboro, NC: Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 NLT
Jill, Knoxville, TN – 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 desert and streams in the wasteland.
Erin Hall, Magnolia, Texas. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 NIV
Riya M. Columbus, Ohio
You can pray for anything and if you have faith you will receive it! Mathew 21:22 NLT
Riya M. Columbus, Ohio
You can pray for anything and if you have faith you will receive it! Mathew 21:22 NLT
Dover, OH
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Phil. 4:8-9 ESV
Phil 3:13. . . . But I am focusing all my energies on this one thing-forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.
Cindy, Augusta, Ga
Romans 4:25 For He was delivered over to death for our sins and raised to life for our justification!
Leslie, Shamrock, TX.
Romans 8:39-39 HCSB For I am persuaded that not even death or life,
angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers,height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Judy Rowland
Louisville, KY
Matthew 6:28-34 NIV84
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life!
Kristin, Madisonville, LA. You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 GNB
Amy Adams, Middletown, Delaware:
I will extol the Lord at all times, His praise will always be on my lips. Psalms 34:1 (NIV)
Darlene Medford, Garner, NC. “When Jesus spoke again to the people he said,”I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. “John 8:12; KJV
Julie, Rockford, IL – Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (NIV)
Peggy Schooley, Boerne, Texas
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” NIV
Philippians 3:3 “For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort.”
Stacy Cummings, McLean, VA 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
Cindy Wall, Kernersville, North Carolina , Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalms 91:1, NIV.
Zephaniah 3:16-18Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
16 On that day it will be said to Jerusalem:
“Do not fear;
Zion, do not let your hands grow weak.
17 Yahweh your God is among you,
a warrior who saves.
He will rejoice over you with gladness.
He will bring you quietness[a] with His love.
He will delight in you with shouts of joy.”
18 I will gather those who have been driven
from the appointed festivals;
they will be a tribute from you[b]
and a reproach on her.[c]
Sara McPeek, Decatur, TX. 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. Romans 12:1 NIV
Diane Fowler, The Villages, Florida
So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 NSRV