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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Psalm 56:3 ” When I am afraid , I will trust in you.” NIV
Jessica, Shelby, NC, “Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.” Proverbs 23:12
Melissa Kocurek, Houston TX
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9(ESV)
Missy, Arkadelphia, AR. My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you – I, whom you have redeemed. Paslm 71:23, NIV
Kate West, Bowling Green, KY, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17
10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Is 41:10 ESV
Sherry,Raleigh,North Carolina – Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Psalm 25:4-5 NLT
For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 KJV
Annalee (age 6)
Morehead, Ky
Andria, northern va-
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.
Psalm 150:6, NIV
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 2 Peter 1:5
Isaiah 26:12 NLT Lord, you will grant us peace; all we have accomplished is really from you.
Kim, Summerville, SC, Daily reminder that what I do matters! “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.” Titus 3:14 NIV
Becca Foster, Danville, Virginia. “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 15:13 ESV
Maria, Greenwood, IN, “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25: 4-5 NIV
” But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.” Jude 1:20-21 (NLT)
Psalms 91:1
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Cindy Webster, Imperial Beach, CA He who deals wisely and heeds God’s word and counsel shall find good and whoever leans on, trusts in, and is confident in the Lord – happy, blessed and fortunate is he. Proverbs 16:20 Amplified
Erica, MI, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs 1:7, NIV)
Allison, Midland, TX. “I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 ESV
Leslie, Cedar Grove, NC “Let all your conversations be always full of grace and seasoned with salt so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6(NIV)
April Bercaw, Union OH,
” For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,”
(Ephesians‬ â€3‬:â€14-15‬ NASB)
Bend, Oregon Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to You for refuge. Psalm 16:1 NLT
My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great thing for me–holy is His name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. Luke 1:46-50
John 15:5 (niv) I am the vine, you are the branches If a man remains in me and I in him,he will bear much fruit. Apart from me he can do nothing. Patti Hornacek,Omaha, Ne
Judi, Baton Rouge, LA….”Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.” Psalm 56:3 (NKJV)
“But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and His grace towards me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than them all, yet not I, bit the grace of God which was in me.” NKJV
Amarillo, Tx
Rejoice in The Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 2 Peter 1:5 ESV
Cynthia- Hackett, AR
“The Sovereign Lord has given me His words for wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning He wakes me and opens my understanding to His will.” Isaiah 50:4 NLT
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalms 91:1 NKJV
Psalm 138:3 (ESV with footnote Hebrew added)
“On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased. You made me bold in my soul with strength.
Amy H Cox Hayesville NC “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Ephesians 4:1 NIV
Psalm 100:3
Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, MD we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Amy Coxhead, Fort Collins, CO
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news,who proclaim peace,who bring good tidings,who proclaim salvation,who say to Zion,“Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7 NIV
Belinda, Chesapeake, VA, “Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.” Psalm 119:35-37 NIV
Bend, Oregon Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to You for refuge. Psalm 16:1 NLT
Cathy Vaughn, Akron Ohio Proverbs 3:5-6-Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
“Blessed is he who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, stand in the path of sinners, sit in the seat of scoffers, but his delight is in the law of The Lord and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water which yields it’s fruit in season and it’s leaf does not wither and In whatever he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3 NASB
Jennifer McLemore, Shreveport LA, 2 Corinthians 2:14 KJV – Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuse the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
Cindy Scott, Athens, Ga. “For I know the plans I have for you”-this is the Lords declaration -“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11, Holman.
Lori Senter, San Antonio “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Martha Watts Louisville, KY
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” ESV Isaiah 12:2
Krista, League City, TX- And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (â€Hebrews‬ â€11‬:â€6‬ ESV)
Sheila, Gardendale,AL, Genesis 3:15 ESV
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.
Hi I’m Mary from Tiffin, OH. I’m going to do Ephesians 2:19 ESV as well. “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”
Jen, Loganville, GA. “My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the Lord;my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.” Psalm 84:2 NIV
Byhalia, MS But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to childres’s children. Psalm 103:17 NASV
Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
Psalm 19:13
Susie Johnson Bloomington, IN I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. (â€Psalms‬ â€121‬:â€1-2‬ NASB)
I sent this yesterday from Sheridan Wy, Romans 5:1,2 but it is the NKJV.
I am BLESSED
Therefore having been justified by faith,we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Through whom also we have access by faith into the grace in which we stand and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God