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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sherry S, Louisville, KY: “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.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Batesville, Arkansas
Psalm 18:2Good News Translation (GNT)
2 The Lord is my protector;
he is my strong fortress.
My God is my protection,
and with him I am safe.
He protects me like a shield;
he defends me and keeps me safe.
Christine Caris, Newfield, NY
“Trust in Him at all times, O people, pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.”
– Psalm 62:8 NIV
Barb Pryor, Indianapolis, IN “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 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 43:18-19 ESV
Janis Lewis, North, South Carolina. “Remember my words with your whole being. Write them down and tie them to your hands as a sign; tie them to your foreheads to remind you.” Deuteronomy 11:18 NCV
Jenn Reimer- Calgary, Alberta, Cananda
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, NIV
Cheya, Houston, TX. “My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,that I may meditate on your promise.” PSALM 119:148 ESV
Psalms 139:23-24 NIV
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 of everlasting.
Caryn, Sugar Land, TX “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Eph. 2:10 NLT
Ravonne McCray, Little River, Texas. “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.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Jennifer, Wilmington DE (Sorry to post this twice, but I finally figured out how to add my picture! 🙂
“Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who ACTS on behalf of those who WAIT for Him.” – Isaiah 64:4 (NIV)
Kristin from Portage, IN – The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
Psalms 145:18 | NIV
All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Hebrews 12:11, NASB
Joe. F Miami lakes fl.
Therefore, as Gods chosen and dearly beloved clothe yourselves with compassion kindness humility gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
Kelly A, Rogers AR. “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37 NIV
Ps121:2. Is from Esv.
Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things for good to those who love him and have been called according to his purpose.
This verse is especially important to me right now.
Kym Claborn, Claremore, Oklahoma
I seek you with all my heart, do not let me stray from your commands. Psalm 119.10 NIV
All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Hebrews 11:12, NASB
Linda Kay Henzler, Slaton, Texas
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is thy faithfulness.” Lamenations 3:22-23 RSVCE
Anna Scantlan, Sullivan, MO
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 3:3 ESV
Jacqueline Castrow, Tomball,TX
“Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you” 1 Peter 5:5-6
Karen Clayton, Tishomingo, OK
Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 (HCSB)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
Donna Mobile,AL
Phil 3:13-14 NAS
Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Genesis 18:3 He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. NIV
Haley Shutley, Douglasville,Georgia ” In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps” Proverbs 16:9 NIV
 By awesome deeds of righteousness, you answer us, God of our salvation. You who are the hope of all the ends of the earth, Of those who are far away on the sea; Psalms 65:5 Word English bible
Romans 15:5–6 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ESV
I am in Hamilton, NJ.
Lauren Maas, Sugar Land, TX “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
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
“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 a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord,” plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Kristie, Birmingham ALABAMA. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. Duet 31:8, NIV
2 Chronicles 7:14King James Version (KJV)
14Â If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Jeanne Foust, Florence, Alabama.
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” Psalm 143:8 NIV
Kay Martin
Tupelo, MS
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
Sheri Heasley
Plano, Texas “Look to the Lord and His strength;seek His face always.”
Psalm 105:4 ESV
Brittany, Fort Worth, TX “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Karis Lesner: Greenville, SC
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight , O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 ESV
Lise Ode, Cumming, GA
I can do all things through HIM who strengthens me. PHI 4:13 (NASB)
Terilynn Knezek Roswell Georgia. ESV. Philippians 4:6. Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God
Karla Joy, Katy, Texas “Do not be anxious about anything… but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Phil. 4:6 NIV
Nancy Lacy, Lake Oswego, Oregon –
The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
Psalm 19:7 NIV
Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord. Trust also in Him, and He will do it. Psalm 37:3-5 NASB
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (World English Bible.
Kari, Gettysburg, SD (Trying to do this as a family affair!! Hanging our first verse in the shower!!)
Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
Savannah Conner, Northwest Arkansas
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? Romans 8:24 NIV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5, 6 ESV)
Cheri VanGorp, Stickney, SD Eph 6:19 NIV Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.