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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From Olive Branch, MS
MATTHEW 5:6 – Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled. NIV
hungering after the Word in 2015
Joy Jones, Belleville, MI, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” – 2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV
Ricole Rice, Minot ND
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love
Ephesians 4:2 NIV
I will praise the LORD at all times, I will never stop singing His praises. Humble people, listen and be happy, while I brag about the LORD. Ps. 34: 1-2
Michele Duffy, St. Paul, MN
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me will all your heart
Jer 29:13 HCSB
Hannah Rodriguez, Dallas, Texas. “We have this hope as an anchor for our lives, safe and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” -Hebrews 6:19 HCSB
Ashley Barrett from Macon GA. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4: 4
Janine, Staunton VA
Behold, I will do a new thing;now it shall spring forth;shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 KJV
TRACY MCFADDEN – CARROLLTON TX You have circled this mountain long enough, now turn North – Deuteronomy 2:3 New American Standard
Barbara V, Prospect Heights, IL
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
 You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,Psalms 65:5 Today NIV…
Meg.
Fort Collins, Colorado
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. — James 1:19, NIV
Susan Crawford, Leander, Texas
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV
Rebekah Ellis, Niceville, Florida
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” Declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55: 8-9 NASB
Rachel Nestman: Hackettstown, NJ “Finally, brothers and sisters, 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 such things.” Philippians 4:8 NIV
“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 for the day of Christ.” Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV)
Terri, Orange TX
“But one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14 ESV
Samantha Castilleja, Seymour, TX; Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV 18 Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
DeSoto,Tx – Romans 12:2
. 2 Do not conform 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 will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Natalie Gifford. Morrill,NE
Proverbs 29:11 A fool always loses his temper,But a wise man holds it back. NASB
God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 NIV
nancy-LPM
Houston
“And now, God, do it again – bring rains to our drought-stricken lives so those who planted their crops in despair will shout hurrahs at the harvest, so those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.” Psalm 126:4-6
the message
Brush Creek Tn- James1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask od God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him
Rhonda Smith: Unionville, Tennessee. “One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. Psalm 27:4 (The New Open Bible)
Teral McDowell, Murphy, TX “Be strong and take heart, all of you who hope in the Lord.” Ps 31:24 NIV
Kym Claborn, Claremore, OK
I seek you with all my heart, do not let me stray from your commands. Psalm 119:10 NIV
Christie Latta, Dundas, Ontario
Seek, inquire of and for the Lord, and crave Him and His strength. Psalm 105:4 (amplified)
Julie Greene, Asheboro, NC
For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:17 KJV
If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask whatever you you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7 (NIV)
Kathleen D.
Bernardsville, NJ
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do and he will establish your plans.”
Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Joshua1:8 Keep this book of the law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it, then you shall be prosperous and successful.
Sheri Vance, Carmel, IN
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
Shauna Knott, River Falls, WI. “Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6.
Patti Broer, Summerset, SD “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for human beings.” Colossians 3:23 GNB
Faith does not make things easy it makes them possible. Luke 1:37
Shauna Bostic, Forest City, NC
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37 (NIV)
Lake Forest, CA “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:3 NIV
Mindy B., Gloster, LA
See the former things have taken place, and
new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce them to you.
Isaiah 42:9 NIV
Kathryn Todd Katy, Texas
James 1:5-6.
5-If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6- But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
Elizabeth Hughes, Berien Springs, MI, “One thing I have asked of the LORD that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.”
Psalm 27:4 ESV.
Maino Graham Quitman, TX
Romans 15;13 ESV
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.
Or didn’t you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don’t you see that you can’t live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body.
1 Corinthians 6: 19-20
 You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,Psalms 65:5 Today NIV…..
Jody Donovan Panama City Beach, FL
Psalm 119:36,37
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. NIV
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
2 Corinthians 5:17. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he Is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Tammy, Monroe, IA
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV
Christina, Lancaster, CA
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Galatians 1:10 ESV
Heather, Aberdeen SD
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 NIV
Madeline Pettye, Katy, TX
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 (NIV)