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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Roxanne, Hummelstown, Pa
Then I said: “O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God,who keeps His covenant of love, with those who love Him and obey His commands,
Nehemiah 1:5 NIV(1984)
Caroline Nipper, Lakeland, FL
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” Ephesians 1:3-4, NIV
John 1: 14&16
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth…And from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace.” John 1:14&16 ESV
RaeLeen Bustin – Bloomington Indiana… 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 these things. Philippians 4:8-9
Joanne, Davisburg MI
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Heb11:1 NIV
Colleen, Grand Island, NE
“Whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”
Proverbs 1:33 ESV
Selena Cumbie – Cordele, GA
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Psalm 126:3, NIV
11Corinthians 9:8 Amplified
“And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you May always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient (possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation “.
God’s favor and blessings are our personal gifts from Him. We don’t have to work for it, we just accept and enjoy it. Then, we can abound to every good work that He would have us to do. What a beautiful way to live!
Jennifer Holcomb, Weston, Missouri: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other,just as in Christ God forgave you” Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Some trust in chariots and some trust in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God! Psalm 20:7 NIV
Phyllis Mincey, Yanceyville, North Carolina
Diane, Flagstaff, AZ
“My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from him.” Psalm 62:1 NIV
Andrea McCay, Oneonta, Alabama. “But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29 NIV
Morgan, Raleigh, NC, Jeremiah 29:11 ESV “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the lord, plans for welfare and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Denise Adams, Oneonta, Al.
But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29 NIV
Bobbi O., Montgomery, Alabama, “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
Robin, Morehead City, NC “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:4 NIV
Melanie from East TN ~ John 1:4-5 NIV. “In Him was life and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
Angela, Pelham, Ga. Psalm 37:3
Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in he land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Pat,Sioux Falls,SD
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 NKJV
Megan – Canton, GA
You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.
Psalm 65:11
Tracy from TX
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gon, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)
Rikki Ober, Statesville, NC. May the name of God be praised forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him Daniel 2:20 (HCS)
Susan B., Chapin, SC
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15 ESV
Isaiah 43:18 Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! NIV
Miranda, Mount Prospect, IL
“And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ JESUS.” Philippians 4:7
Shanna Anderson, Sioux Falls,SD “I don’t regard myself as having possession of it (“the prize’ or “completion” from prior vs.)but one thing I do, no longer caring for what has happened in the past, but stretching for what is in front of me, I run toward the finish line for the reward of the higher invitation of God in Christ Jesus” Phil.3:13-14 (my breakdown of the Greek)
Kristen R- Mechanicsburg, PA
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. — Matthew 6:34 NIV
Psalm 37:3-5
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Rae Fuller, Houston, TX
Dawn, South Bend, IN
The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel.
Proverbs 1:1 NIV
Elgin, IL
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 KJV
Sally Hill, Tucson, AZ The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:`17 NIV
Denise Hawks, Fredericksburg, TX: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never com to an end.” Lamitations 3:22 NLT
Sarah Cavicchi, Round Hill. Virginia: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Auneca from Donalsonville, GA
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19 NIV
Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7
Cindy, Lake Charles Louisiana: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 NIV
Stormi Fisher, Bedford,Indiana, Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where teh Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV
Karen H., Stephenville, Texas
John 20:1 (NASB)
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb.
We don’t have a high priest who can’t sympathize with our weaknesses but instead one who was tempted in every way that we are, except without sin. Hebrews 4:15
But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it–not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it–they will be blessed in what they do.
James 1:25 NIV
Psalm 105:4 Look to the LORD AND His strength, seek His face always.
Beth North Royalton, OH
Phil. 4:6&7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Teresa Ator, Tyler TX
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. â€1 Chronicles‬ â€29‬:â€11‬ NLT
Denise Adams, Oneonta, Al.
“But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29 NIV
Tia Grogan Land O’lakes, FL
“If you keep silent at this time, liberation and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father’s house will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.” Esther 4:14 HCSB
’Now see that I, even I, am He,
And there is no God besides Me;
I kill and I make alive;
I wound and I heal;
Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand. (Deuteronomy 32:39 NKJV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!
2Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Julie, Marshfield, WI
Jill, Channahon, Illinois: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. 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 perfect will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:1-2 NIV
Jeremiah 29:11
“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.”
Lynn, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania “For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, In repentance and rest you shall be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength” Isaiah 30:15 NAS