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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Christine Jackman, Denham Springs, LA
I lift my eyes up to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord; the maker of heaven and earth.
Sarah Walker, Royse City, TX. ” Those who know Your Name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.” Psalm 91:10 NIV
He has shown you, oh man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8
Cathy Layne, birmingham, Al
Ephesians 3:21 unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. KJV
Lisa. Raleigh NC. “Through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:12 NLT
John 16:33 (NIV)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
“Blessed be the Lord! For He has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him.” Psalms 28: 6-7 ESV
Cheryl Lee – Katy, Texas
Ephesians 1:17-18
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.
Zirconia, NC
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 reproach on her.
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. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€19‬ NIV)
Jama Bigger, Muncie, IN. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
Charlotte, Amory, MS. Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him. Psalm 105:4. NLT
Maren Breitwieser, Indianapolis, IN. “For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach.” Deuteronomy 30: 11, NAS
Christine Bolin Harrisburg, IL
May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.
1Thessalonians 5:23-24 NIV
Susan, Pendleton, SC
‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares The Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Tempa Babington , Palm Bay, Florida,
“All your children will be taught by the Lord, & great will be their peace.” Isaiah 54:13 NIV
Andrea Pitts, Powell, Tennessee Psalm 51:1 NIV
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgression.
“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
Natalie Cyphers- Bath, PA
Lamentations 3:19-24
Vs 19. I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. (NIV)
Isaiah 45:2-3
This is what the Lord says: I will go before you, Cyrus, and level the mountains. I will smash down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness – secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord.
Sara, Alexandria, AL: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Philippians 4:8
“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
Jamie Colorado City TX So do not worry saying “What shall we eat” or “What shall we drink” or “What shall we wear” for Pagans run after these things and your Heavenly Father knows you need them. Matthew 6:31-32 NIV
Paula Rambo, Rowlett, Tx. Behold, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 Amplified
Kathy, Alcoa TN – Therefore, get rid if all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. James 1:21 NIV
Karyn, Elberfeld,IN
Do not tremble and do not be afraid; Have I not long since announced it to you and declared it? And you are My witnesses.
Is there any God besides Me, Or is there any other Rock? I know of none. Isaiah 44:8 (NASB)
Psalm 139:14 NIV ” I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;your works are wonderful,I know that full well.
Pam, Lake Mary, FL “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you: I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
I have tried to do this goal of memorizing Scripture with the Siesta’s before and didn’t make it. I quit before the end of the year. But not this time…I found a free app to help!! I want Beth and all the Siesta Sisters to know about this because it has helped me sooooo much so far!! It is called the Remember Me App. and it is everything I have ever wanted in Scripture memorization all rolled into one!! You can…
1.) read verses in print
2.) listen to google lady read your verses in her voice
3.) practice your verse in Four different ways
4.) use two different flash cards to test yourself
5.) share your verse in various social media ways
The flash cards are my very favorite!! There are two kinds… the first shows you the verse and you have to say to yourself the location. Then when you tap on the verse the flash card flips over to reveal if you were right or not. If you were right you swipe it up and off the screen. If you were wrong you swipe it down and off the screen to be reviewed some more! The second flash card is even better…it shows you the location of the verse and you have to push the record button at the bottom of the screen and record yourself saying it. Then you tap the screen to see if you are right and it plays your voice while you read the verse to see if you were right and then again you either swipe it up or down for further practice. When you swipe it up it puts onto the “known” page which is one of three pages on the app. Known, Due, and New!! I am in LOVE with God’s Word and this App and I want you to know!!!
Thank you, Judy, for recommending this great Bible memory app!
Mary McKinney, Athens, Georgia. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Isaiah 43:19 MSG
Julie Hudak, Columbus Ohio. “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you.” Genesis 28:15
Colossians 3:12 “therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Jackie Clara City, MN : If you wander off the road to the right or the left, you will hear his voice behind you saying, “Here is the road. Follow it.” Isaiah 30:21 GNT
Terylle Lavender, Kalamazoo, MI: “But now thus saith the Lord that created the, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called the by thy name; thou art mine.” Isaiah 43:1 KJV
Melanie Drake. Waterloo, ON, Canada. “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.” Proverbs 25:28 NKJV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV
Melissa, Winchester, VA – Isaiah 55:12,13 (NLT)
“You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and the hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name; they will be an everlasting sign of His power and love.”
Valerie Connor. Davenport, IA. Do not 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 hearts and minds as you live in Christ. Phillippians 4:6-7 NLT.
Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” NIV
Amanda M
Birmingham, AL
Rhonda Beck Winston Salem, N.C. You will seek me and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
Beth, Mansfield, Tx – “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. (â€Isaiah‬ â€48‬:â€17‬ NIV)
Michelle, Hilliard, FL, “You, however, be self-controlled in all thing, endure hardship, do an evangelist’s work, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5 NET
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. (â€Matthew‬ â€18‬:â€6‬ NIV)
Jenelle Drada, St. Clair Shores, MI
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (â€2 Corinthians‬ â€5‬:â€17‬ ESV)
isaiah 43:2-3
Blair Nodine, Campobello, SC – Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; Psalm 86:2 NIV
Yes! Please preach to me and remind me every day of Gods powerful word! (hHB 1:3
Jennifer Nix, Round Hill, Virginia, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29, KJV.
Kristie Terpstra, Montgomery, TX “We wait in hope for The Lord; He is our help and our shield.” Psalm 33:20 NIV
This is my second post. I could not find my original one done yesterday at about 200 pm and want to make sure I can participate!
Tammie Lambdin, Knoxville, TN, “For since creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Romans 1:20 NIV