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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brenda, Sagle, Idaho
Col. 3:16a Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly….
that verse spoke volumes to me this morning, just what I needed to hear, thanks
Chrissy, Glenville, NC,
Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Proverbs 30:5 ESV
I’m interested in signing up for the Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2015.
Thanks,
Louise
Your comment is your ‘registration’! Welcome to SSMT!
Jamilla Walker, Greensboro, NC
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am you God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you will my righteous right hand.
Isaiah41:10
NIV
Julie Brock, New Albany, Mississippi
2 “fix our eyes on JESUS, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him HE endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of GOD.” Hebrews 12:2 NIV
4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God
I Peter 3:4
Kristi B.
Houston, TX
Proverbs 31:25 NLT
“She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.”
Alice Tompkins, Kingsport, TN
PSALM 90:12
Teach us to number our days, so that we may gain a heart of wisdom. NIV
“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 NIV
Susanne Olson, Charlotte, NC; “For I know the plans I have for you, declares The Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 ESV
The Lord your GOD in the midst of thee is mighty;he will save,he will rejoice over you with joy;he will rest in his love,he will joy over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 N K J
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. Isaiah 54:17 KJ
“Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23
Kaitlyn Opperman, Toledo, Ohio
“Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.” Habakkuk 3:2, NIV
Sonia, Charlotte NC – “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations‬ â€3‬:â€22-23 ESV
Julie Woodruff, Hendersonville, TN
“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8 ESV
Heather Sutton, Boaz,Alabama
“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
Deborah Kilgore, Carlsbad, NM “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. Ephesians 2:10 NLT
Celina Hailey, Victoria BC,
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6 ESV
“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.” Col 3:16a
Rhonda, Jonesboro, AR
Finally, brothers, 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
Sherry Wood, Shallotte, N.C. Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver; in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
2 Corinthians 1:10 KJV
For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.
Lorree, Canon City, CO
Psalm 90:12 (ESV) So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom
Natalie Delk from Wade, MS. – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid;do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9- NIV
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psm 46:10
“And so we know and rely on love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1John 4:16
Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
Jennifer Nease, Sugar Land,TX
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5 NLT
Amy H. Shiloh, IL
“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 â€43‬:â€19‬ NIV â€â€â€¬
Romans 8:1-2 NKJV There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
Robin, Jasper, GA
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 (NKJV)
Anissa McGuire Claremore, Ok
“For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:” kjv
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
Brooke from Cincinnati, Ohio:
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (â€Colossians‬ â€3‬:â€1‬ NIV)
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. 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. (â€Jeremiah‬ â€29‬:â€11-13‬ NIV)
Monique Wadsworth, Ohio
This is my command: Love each other. John 15:17 NIV
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 NIV
Renee Hedgspeth Charlotte,NC
The Lord your God in yor misdst,The mighty One,will save;He will rejoice over you with gladness,He will quiet you with His love,He will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 NKJ
Natalie Macek, from Damascus, MD: Luke 10:33–“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.” NIV
Nina, Winston Salem NC: “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.” 1John 4:4 NIV
Teach us to number our days,that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NIV
Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8
Dawn, Dallas, TX Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Heather Floyd, Dragoon, AZ “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)
Polly Ackerman, Gothenburg, Ne
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (â€Isaiah‬ â€41‬:â€10‬ NIV)
Heather Stanley, Petrolia ON
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it” Psalms 24:1 NIV
Keri Schreiner, Kansas. “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 NLT
Joy, Newton TX
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim Liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
Luke 4:18-19 NKJV
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV (1984)