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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sallie Gore – Rocky Point, NC
“So do not be afraid. I am with you. Do not be terrified. I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. My powerful right hand will take good care of you. I always do what is right.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIRV
Shelley, Marion, AR, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27, NIV
Lauren King, Brandon, FL. “But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22 ESV
Ashley, Charlotte NC
“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 4:8-9 NIV
Ambur Gossen, Fulton, MO ‘And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!’ Psalm 90:17 NLT
Calypso, Houston, TX
“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 NIV
Dianne from Pike Roa, AL
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11 NIV
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.
1 John 4:7 NLT
Jenna Hiers, Gaffney, SC- “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
Julie Seath from Toronto, Canada: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16
Proverbs 16: 3
Commit your activities to the Lord and your plans will be achieved.
Paula Whiteman, Morgantown, Pa, “Your statutes are my heritage forever; They are the joy of my heart”. Psalm 119:111 NIV
Sue, Greenville, SC
Philippians 1:6
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; (NKJV)
Jennifer King from Oxford, NC; “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21 ESV
College Station:
“I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11 Holman CSB
Catherine, Fuquay Varina, NC “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Phillipians 1:6 ESV
Noelle McCusker, Evington,VA. “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.” 1 Timothy 6:6-7
Megan- Loganville, GA
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 NIV
Psalm 139:14- I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.[a]
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
Jane, Houston, Texas
Philippians 4:5 (NIV)
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
Janet from Georgia
Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation–whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life–of whom shall I be afraid?
Accordingly then, let us not sleep, as the rest do, but let us keep wide awake (alert, watchful, cautious, and on our guard) and let us be sober (calm, collected, and circumspect). (â€1 Thessalonians‬ â€5‬:â€6‬ AMP)
Jenny Johnson
Ashland, Kentucky
Call to me and I will answer you, and tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
Jeremiah 33:3
I hope this post makes it. I tried yesterday and that one didn’t. I am new to blogs
Pam- Wassenaar, The Netherlands
“Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.” Ps. 71:20
Donna Armstrong, Callahan, Florida. ” But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness , and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 NIV. No matter what I have planned for the day; I need to be open to life interrupting my plans. I need to seek God’s direction every morning.
Sharon G, Winkler MB Canada, “Slow down. Take a deep breath. What’s the hurry? Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway?” Jeremiah 2:25a (MSG)
Sue Putlock, Mount Pleasant SC “Wait for the Lord. Be strong. Let your heart be strong. Yes, wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 (NLV)
Peggy T
Fredericksburg VA
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13 ESV
Tammy Windham, Las Vegas, NV – “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 NIV
Debbie from Florida
Matthew 18:19 Niv, For where 2 or more come together in my name, there am I with them.
Kelly Taylor, Troutman, NC. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as ou trust in Him
Romans 15:13
NIV
O Lord, help me understand my mortality and the brevity of my life. Let me realize how quickly my life will pass. Psalm 39:4 (NET)
Retta Antwine, Lubbock, TX “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the
renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will go God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 RSV
Stephanie Reynolds, North Liberty, Indiana, “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 NIV
Ashleigh, Mooresville NC 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, i am making all things new. ”
Revelation 21:4-5a ESV
Sheila Oakes
Cary, NC
“LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
our salvation in time of distress.
Isaiah 33:2 NIV
Claire, Bloomfield, In
Do not be anxious about anything,but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6 NIV
Jayne, Lavina Mt. “I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance”. (â€Ephesians‬ â€1‬:â€18‬ NLT)
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 hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Vicki Johnson, Buckeye, Arizona, “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Eph. 4:29b NLT
Keena Cameron. Suwanee, GA. “Know this my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger” James 1:19 ESV
Christine, Omaha, NE, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Stephanie, Imperial Beach, CA – But You, O LORD, are a shield around me; You are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
Psalm 3:3 NLT
Tammy Smiley, North Eastern Pa
Psalms 34:19
The righteous face many troubles, but the Lord rescues them from each and every one.
Indian Trail, NC
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NIV
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV
Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much.
Job 38: (NLT)
Karee, Alvin, TX. “For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper and not harmyou, plans to give you hope and fortune” Jeremiah 29:11. NIV