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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joanne Fisher, Valdosta, GA.
Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)
10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
I love your Bible Studies
Margaret Robinson, The Woodlands, TX
“you are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble you; surround me with shouts of deliverance.” psalm 32:7 esv
Heather from NYC, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14 NIV
Diana Kilgore, Easley, SC. “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:17-18 KJV.
76 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
Renee Barbour Rocky Mount, North Carolina Jeremiah 31:3-4 NKJV The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Again I will build you and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel. You shall again be adorned with your tambourines, And shall go forth in the dances of those who rejoice.
Anita, Victorville, California. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds” James 1:2 NIV
Pam Wise, Camden,SC, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3, NIV
Cindy Walker; Clear Lake (Houston), Texas. “…train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:7b-8 NIV
Cathy Robertson, Lexington, NC. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, yours ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it.” Isiah 30:21 NKJV
Shandra, Greensboro, NC, So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 NIV
Paula, Russell, KY. “For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever. Amen!” Romans 11:36 NLT
Karen H. , Stephenville, TX
John 20:1 (NASB)
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb.
There is one God, the Father,
By whom all things were created
And for whom we live.
And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ,
Grouch whom all things were created,
And through whom we live.
1Corinthians 8:6 NLT
Joni, Highlands Ranch CO
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans‬ â€15‬:â€13‬ ESV
Rachel Yost, Harlan, KY. Commit to The Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Psalm 16:3
Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing. Isaiah 43:18
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight”, Proverbs3:6
Susan, Dayton, OH
“Bless the LORD,
O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless His holy name!”
Psalm 103:1 ESV
Jan Hixson, Fayetteville Arkansas.
For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. I Thessalonians 5:5 NLT
Mardi from Macon, GA Romans 12:9 – 13 NLT
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection,[e] and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.[f] 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Schelley Tucker , Conroe, Texas. “For I know the plans I have for you, ” declares The Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart..” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
1 John 4:12
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is made complete in us.
Margie from Detroit, Michigan
Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ESV
Wright, WY
“And be ye kind one to another, and tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ’s sake, hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
Janet Birdsall, Teague, Texas She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Prov 31:25
Susan Whitaker Kernersville, NC ” Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 KJV
Elsa, Charlottetown, PE
All praise to God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ.It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation,
1 Peter 1:3 NLT
“Refrain from anger and turn from wrath, do not fret-it only leads to evil.” Psalm 37:8 NIV
Melissa Herndon, Richmond, TX
For I know the plans that 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 NAS
Tosha, Gaffney SC “But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all of your works. Psalm 73:28 ESV
Brooke, Fairmont, MN
Ephesians 4:29, NIV
“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.”
April Woodard, Chicago, IL
Proverbs: 23. 7. For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
Aligning our heart to be in one accord with GOD’s Holy Spirit is necessary when we feed on GOD’s Word. Our thought process will affect our outcome in life. So our priority fellow servants is to make sure to digest our intake slowly with the right foods(spiritual) not foods(carnal) that destroy the mind, heart, and soul. When our positive thoughts are with GOD in mind we are able to have a barrier in place to keep the plague out the enemy puts there at times.
Dana, Randleman NC
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. (â€Hebrews‬ â€4‬:â€16‬ NIV)
Lisa Shaffer, Princeton, 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
Katie Schmitt. Brimfield, IL
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” Mark 6:31, NIV
Dianne, Andover MN
Psalm 143: 8-10 AMP
Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for on You do I lean and in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my inner self to you.
Deliver me, oh Lord, from mine enemies: I flee to you to hide me.
Teach me to do your will, for You are my God; let your good Spirit lead me into a level country and into the land of uprightness.
Cassandra, Crawfordsville, IN
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
Keri Laurila,RI Jeremiah 29:11For I know the plans I have for you, plans to Prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you Hope & aFuture
1 Corinthians 1:4
“I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus.
Monica, Roswell, Ga “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death”. Romans 8:2 ESV
Lynda S., Brockville, Ontario, Canada. “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. “. (â€1 Corinthians‬ â€15‬:â€57‬ NIV)
Deanna, Naples, FL. “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.” Romans 12:2 NIV
Sharon Sohn,Somerville,AL 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 43:19,NIV
Melanie from Winter Springs, Florida: “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)
Jessica Klepac \\ New York City \\ Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)
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.
Cheryl Chatfield Burton MI Love is the purpose of my command. Love comes from a pure heart. It comes from a good sense of what is right and wrong. It comes from faith that is honest and true. 1 Timothy 1:5 NIRV
Isaiah 55:11(NIV)
“so is my word that goes out from my mouth:It will not return to me empty,but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Colossians 4:5,6 NKJV “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”