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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 iTrust in the Lord with all thine heart;
And jlean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways kacknowledge him,
And lhe shall direct thy paths.
Darlene Hay S.W. Ranches, Fl
Psalm 143:6: “I lift my hands to You in prayer. As a dry land needs rain, I thirst for You.” NCV
Chris, Soringfield, MO. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think according to the power at work within us to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV
Nicki S. Louisville, Ky.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Amy Howard, Petal, MS “Mankind, He has told you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 (Holman Christian Standard)
But those who Hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Julie Reed, Fort Collins
I lift my eyes up to the mountains- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven an earth. He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you- the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Deborah Nickerson, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia: For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:16 (ESV)
Tiffani S., Union KY
15-This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:
“In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,
but you would have none of it.”
18-“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;
therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!”
Isaiah 30:15,18 NIV
Cherie Oman, Tujunga, CA
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.
Phil 1:9, 10 NIV
Alexis Boster, Van Buren, AR:
“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 your all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phillipians 4:13 (NKJV)
Lynn Hoxmeier, Pflugerville, Texas
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5 ESV
Kim, Austin, TX
“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.”
2 Thes 1:11
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
MN, I sought the Lord and he answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 NIV
Cailyn Ford, Durant, Oklahoma
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NIV
Cindy Knight, Easley, SC
“Be diligent in these matters;give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.” 1 Timothy 4:15
Langley, BC Canada
1 Peter 5:6 NLT
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
“For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 NIV
The eyes of my heart are flooded with light in order for me to understand and know the HOPE to which He has called me. Ephesians 1:18
I pray daily that God will reveal His plan for my life by enlightening me with His light and love.
Deb Singleton, Lexington, KY: For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17
Diane Alosi. Chattanooga, TN
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (â€John‬ â€1‬:â€14‬ NASB)
Laurel, Sioux Falls, SD. He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 HCSB
Carol, Litchfirld, MN – THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. Ephesians 5:1
Sandra Kent, Gwinn MI: “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” 1 John 4:16 (ESV)
Jan Mackenzie, Eden Prairie, MN
“Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”
Romans 4:20-21 (NIV)
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
1 John 4:4 NIV
Jillian Bright, Ripley, West Virginia: “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” -Phil. 2:5 (NIV)
Lindsey Diggs, Smyrna TN
“Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.” Proverbs 16:3 (NKJV)
Kimberly Waldenmaier, Middleton WI
Psalm 27:8 “My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.'” (NLT)
“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”
Debbie Gorbandt, Crestwood, KY. Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, for the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, for the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:7-8, NIV
Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. Psalm 105:4 NIV
Jodie Hill, Lufkin, Texas
“We have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you May be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you Will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father” Col. 1:9-12 NASV
Psalm 40:4 NIV
Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods (or to lies).
Judi Royston, East Berlin, PA
“hout for joy to Adonai, all the earth!
Serve Adonai with gladness,
Enter his presence with joyful songs.” Psalm 100:1-2, CJB
Andrea Mathison, Jamestown ND
Isaiah 43:19 “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.”
Rachel – Springfield MO
Deuteronomy 13:4 (NASB)
You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him!
Philipians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. NIV
I Beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies if God, that ye Present your bodies a living Sacrifice, HOLY, Acceptable Unto God, which is your Reasonable Service.
Romans 12:1 KJV
Six Mile SC
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)
Lori Newton, Powder Springs, Georgia: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, he prunes it, that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:1-2, NASB
(Sorry for the second post. I did it wrong the first time.)
Sarah Miller from Melbourne, Florida
Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. (Luke 10:19 ESV)
Mindy Baker, Noblesville, Indiana, “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Blessed are the poor in spirit:for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Matt 5:3 .
35 What shall separate us from the love of Christ? Affliction, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Romans 8:35 (DLNT)
Jill Peters, Peculiar, MO – 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 NLT
lynn hall, wayland, mi
Romans 8:15 English Standard Version (ESV)
1 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”