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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sarah Eastling, Lowell, Indiana
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Matthew 22:36-37 ESV
Rachelle, Ogdensburg, NY
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. John 10:27 (NIV)
Justyne Strom from Coeur d’Alene, ID…”The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” Prov 9:10 ESV
Erica, Statesboro, GA
“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” (â€1 Peter‬ â€2‬:â€9‬ NLT)
Dumfries VA,” Blessed is the man who endures trial, because when he has become approved by testing, he will receive the crown of life, which He has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:12
I am memorizing the 8th chapter of Romans:(sometimes it will be more than 2 vs. a month,as there are 39 in all)
8:1 ESV – “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Shanin Moore, Newcastle, OK – Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV)
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Stacy, Hawkinsville, GA, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24(NIV)
Deborah Stuart, Fayetteville, AR “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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (â€Jeremiah‬ â€29‬:â€11-13‬ NIV)
Philippians 4 : 6 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, give your requests to God.
Misti Janikowski, Colorado, “it is better to trust in the Lord than it is to put confidence in man.” Psalm 118:8, KJV
Susan, Cartersville, GA ” There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”
Romans 8:1-2
Judy, Satellite Beach, FL. Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jer. 33:3 (ESV)
Debrah Fisher, Birmingham,AL. You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:7 ESV
Sarah Davis Lincoln Ne- Nahum 1:7 AMP. The
Lord is good, a Strength and Stronghold in the day
Of trouble; He knows (recognizes, has knowledge of and understands) those who take refuge and trust in Him.
Sandy Allen, Young Harris, Georgia, “You can make many plans, but the Lords purpose will prevail.”, Prov. 19:21
Wendy Greene, Ochlocknee, Georgia. Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39 NIV
Gloria Cole Charlotte NC
He gives power to the faint and weary and to him who has no might he increases strength (causing it to multiply and making it to abound). Is. 40:29 Amp
2 Corinthians 4:7. NLT
We now have this shining light in our hearts , but we ourselves are like fragile jars of clay containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our power is from God not from ourselves.
Cheryl, the woodlands, tx “if I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” 1 Cor 13:1 NIV
John 14:27New International Version (NIV)
27 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.
Nicole Arbuckle, Jonesboro, AR. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (â€Genesis‬ â€1‬:â€27‬ ESV)
Robbyn, Frisco, TX
2 Timothy 4:5 “But as for you, be serious about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” HCSB
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,” [James 1:2]
Jennifer Talsma in Stratford, ON, Canada
Ephesians 3:16 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,”
Dawn, Villa Hills, KY, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV
Amy Cato, Fairview, TN
Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically as something done for the Lord and not for men.
Colossians 3:23 (HCSB)
Lauren Miller, Sugarcreek, OH
“For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7
Aubri from Kokomo, IN – “Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Zara, Seoul, South Korea – My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. (â€Proverbs‬ â€3‬:â€11-12‬ ESV)
Karin van Marken, Toronto, ON, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” PROV 4:23, NIV
Emily Hougland, Goshen, Indiana. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:34
Christy, Wynne, AR “As holy people whom God had chosen and loved, be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle and patient.” Colossians 3:12 GWT
Patty, Collinsville, OK “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 NLT
Rhonda, Rockvale, TN, For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 NIV
Joanne, Reading, MA…. “Do not be afraid, just believe….” (Luke 8:50)
Robbi, Punta Gorda, FL
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
Sue D, North Berwick, ME: “Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next.” 1 Timothy 7-8 NLT
Rowena Patterson, Grand Rapids, MI, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3 NIV
This is how we shall know that we belong to the truth and reassure our hearts before him in whatever our hearts condemn, for a god is greater than our hearts and knows everything
1John3:19-20
Kiersten, Wake Forest, NC “Therefore since we have been justified by faith we have peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 5:1 (ESV)
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” (â€Isaiah‬ â€12‬:â€2‬ NIV)M
Jamie Read. Hastings, Nebraska.
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5 ESV
Michele Fort Worth, TX “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” Romans 8:28 NIV
“Look to The Lord and His Strength. Seek His face always” Psalm 105:4
Tammy-Fort Worth, Tx
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then your I’ll learn to low Gods will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2 NLT
Phil4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
Kali, Oklahoma City, OK. “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning, I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” Psalm 5:3
Sandy, Anaheim, CA
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (atonement) for our sins. 1John 4:10 NKJV