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) 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:
Your name, city, verse (written all the way out), reference, and translation.
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lauren Webber, Lakeland,FL
“Blessed is the one who perserveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that The Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 NIV
Cathy R
Orofino, ID
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in and eat with him and he with ME. Rev 3:20 NIV
The world and it’s desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1John 2:17
TCobb, Texas
“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart. I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33, NIV
Dawn Harvie, Statham ,GA
My daughter invited me to be her accountability partner. Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Ps 127:3 KJV
Heidi, New Brunswick,Canada ~with Ellen on this one. Heb. 12:1, HCSB
Sara, Omaha, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” John 15:1, NIV
Elly Robinson, Roy Utah.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Shannon Smith, Dawsonville, GA “A gentle answer will calm a person’s anger, but an unkind answer will cause more anger.” Proverbs 15:1, NCV
Rebecca – Splendora, TX – Proverbs 2:4 NASB
If you seek her (Wisdom) as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures…
Katie Nicholls, Tucson
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. Isaiah 43:19 ESV
This was my life verse last year, and I love it. The LORD showed His majesty and the power of this verse in my family last year; I am praying the same for you!
Jenni Johnson, Murray, KY
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV
Philippians 3:13 ESV
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
But he said to me, “My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Deb Dinnen, Springfield, Ohio
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires. EPH 4:22 NIV
Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you. Proverbs 6:21-22,ESV
Cassidy Meyer, Fort Worth, Texas
“Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.” (Proverbs 29:18 NIV)
Kelly P., Concord, NC:
“And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true” (Revelation 21:5). ESV
This letter is from John, the elder. I am writing o the chosen lady and to her children, whom I love in the truth-as does everyone else who knows the truth–because the truth lives in us and will be with us forever. (2 John 1-2 NLT)
Denise, Coweta, OK
Robyn Feaser Conway, SC
If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask Him, and He will gladly tell you, for He is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask Him; He will not resent it.
James 1:5 TLB
Heather Hock, Parachute, CO
Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 HCSB
Leilani Esmond, Smyrna, GA
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it! I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:19 NIV
Helen Clark, Austin, “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household” Eph. 2:19 NIV
Encouraging and reassuring myself during uncomfortable and/or unfamiliar situations
Psalm 27:1 KJV
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. Job 19:25 NIV
Kari Hawkins, Canton GA. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 NIV
Rebecca
Owasso OK
“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.”
I Corinthians 2:4-5 NIV
Wanda Calderwood from Crofton, Maryland
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” Ephesians 3:20 NKJV
Stephanie O. Alexandria, Virginia. It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV
Myra, Johnson City, TN
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:29 NLT
Hannah Redd. Atlanta. “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 NLT
Teresa, Callahan Florida,
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Phillipians 4:13 NASB
Eden Meyer, Raleigh, North Carolina, “Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is RiGht hoNor your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3 NIV
Way to go Eden. Gramma is learning too
Thank you Gramma, and Pop Pop and Kaui
Amy Spry, Dothan, AL
“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. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.”
Jeremiah 29:12-14a NIV
Buford, Illinois
Cleanse me with hyssop and I will be clean. Wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7 niv
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” 3 John 4 KJV
Natalie Packer, LaSalle, Ontario, Canada
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing,” (Philippians 2:14 ESV)
Billie Jarvis-Freeman, Springfield IL “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NIV.
Yet will I rejoice in the Lord. I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:18 KJV
Dawn Hedrick, Vandalia, Oh
Anxiety/Worry
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong, courageous, and firm: fear not nor be in terror before them, for it is the Lord your God Who goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you.
Jennifer Prochnow, Springerville, AZ – Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3 NRSV
Sandy Beck in Tipp City, Ohio
Phil 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. NIV
Carol, Poplar Bluff, Missouri
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ. Jude 1 ESV
Kari from Grand Rapids, MI
Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
Mark 12:29-31 NLT
Tanis, Cranbrook
The Spirit of God has made me,and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Job 33:4 ESV
Angi Mitchell, Highlands Ranch, CO – “Show me your ways 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
Vickie Davis, Foxworth, MS. “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.” proverbs 12:1, NIV
Sherri Smith, Omaha NE,
“Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.”
I Thessalonians 1:1 ESV
Jen, St. Louis . “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
Christie Lambert, Princeton-NC. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1:17, NKJV