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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tiffany J., Glenn Dale, MD
Psalms 131, NLT
Lord, my heart is not proud;
my eyes are not haughty.
I don’t concern myself with matters too great
or too awesome for me to grasp.
2 Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself,
like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk.
Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, put your hope in the Lord—
now and always.
Susan Kolb, Slidell, LA “Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore.” NKJV
Becky Thomas,
North Little Rock, AR
On the day I called, you answered me
You made me bold with strength in my soul.
Hi Becky, Love this one……….. What book and verse is this?
Ashling Willard, Metropolis, IL
“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.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Kristi Vivaldi, College Station, Texas. “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Philippians 4:11 NIV
Jennifer Mobley, Headland, Alabama:” My Grace is sufficient for you. For My power is made perfect in weakness.” 1 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Debbie Edwards “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15. ESV
(Possible 2nd posting). Philippians 4:7 ESV And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
John 14:1 , NIV
“Do not let your heart be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”
so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10
Delene, Pinetown, South Africa. ‘My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.’ Psalm 73:26
Trina Aker, Venice, FL; Philippians 4:8 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. NIV
Becky Thomas
North Little Rock, AR
On the day I called, you answered me;
You made me bold with strength in my soul
Psalms 138:3
Margie, Chesterfield, VA
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8 (NET)
Hebrews 13:6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
Stacy Avery, Kansas, OK
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NIV
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. KJV Proverbs 21:2
Dawn, Kearney, NE
“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” Gal. 5:17 NIV
Anita Pattison, Kendallville, IN “Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.” Psalm 141:3
Shelia; Columbia, Missouri. “For I will restore you to health and I will heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord, “Because they have called you outcast , saying it is Zion, no one cares for her.” Jeremiah 30:17 NASB.
San Angelo, TX
All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. Ps.38:9
Bonnie Webb Cibolo,Texas
Psalm 62:8 Amplified
Trust in,lean on rely on and have confidence in Him At all times, you people; pour out your hearts before him. God is a refuge for us( a fortress and a high tower)
Melissa Durham, Johnson City, TN
1 Corinthians 6:12 (NIV) “Everything is permissible for me”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”–but I will not be mastered by anything.
Janet, Charleston, SC, “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6, NLT
Cheryl Gayer, Neosho, MO
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in The Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Revelation 7:12 NIV
saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”
Tracy: Bluffton, Indiana
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
Charlotte Appleby, Boiling Springs, South Carolina -“Then rose up the heads of the fathers’ houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem.” (ESV) Ezra 1:5
Keri Powledge – Humble, TX
‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares The Lord , plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.’ Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
Psalm 18:2. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Kirsten Hall Peoria AZ
Revelation 7:12 NIV
saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”
Amanda, Austin, Tx
For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand, who says to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.”
Isaiah 41:13 (AMP)
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see The Lord. Hebrews 12:14 NIV
Vicksburg, MS
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.
James 4:10
NIV
Kathleen, Colorado Springs Colorado “And God created man in his own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He create them.” Genesis 1:27 NASB
Tiffany, Summerville, SC
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart. Proverbs 17:3 NIV
Chele Alexander, Irmo, SC. Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (NIV)
Catherine, Pittsburgh, PA
“Great peace have they which love thy law; and nothing shall offend them.”
Psalm 119:165
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let your request be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
N
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
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Phillipians 4:4-5
Jennifer; Aledo, Texas. Luke 12:24 NLT 24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!
Psalm 100:3 “Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us,and we are His. We are His people,the sheep of His pasture.”
Andrea Nelson Pell City, AL “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” Luke 6:40 ESV
Psalm 91:1
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the almighty.”
Ephesians 3:20-21 New King James Version (NKJV)
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Wendy from Greeley, Colorado
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 NIV
Hannah Brooks, Carmel, Indiana
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11, NIV
Vanessa Ortiz, Spring, Texas. “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue” (Proverbs 31:26, ESV).