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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Danielle Rye, Cedar Park, TX
Wherefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear,
slow to speak, slow to wrath.
James 1:19 (KJV)
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.
Phil. 3:8 N iV
Denise, Colorado Springs, Isaiah 43:19 NKJV. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Patsy Black, Dasher GA –
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
Psalm 63:4 (NLT)
Luke 10:41 NIV
“Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, “You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.”
I look forward to being a sister with you
Tina – Waxahachie, TX
Psalms 25:4 NIV
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.
Rhonda Brown, Belleville IL “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18 NIV
Amy, Claremore,Ok
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Psalm 15:1. NIV
Dee
Greensboro, NC
Psalm 46:10 “He says, Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
NIV
Heather, Moscow Mills MO
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1-2 NIV
Shana Dorsey, La Vernia, Texas. “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 NLT
Psalm 18:32 It is God that has girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. (KJV)
Lisa, Arab, AL “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
Jessie Baldwin, Las Vegas, NV “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 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 43:18-19 NIV
from Noble, OK
Psalm 112:7 (NIV) They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
Jill Gronemeier, Boise, ID
John 21:22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” NKJV
Molly Spivey, Soperton, GA
“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” Titus 3:1-2 ESV
(Typing this out as my six year old twins are quarreling – maybe we will learn it together!)
Rhonda, Spring Hill, TN. “When Ruth went back to work again, Boaz ordered his young men, “Let her gather grain right among the sheaves without stopping her. And pull out some heads of barley from the bundles and drop them on purpose for her. Let her pick them up, and don’t give her a hard time!”” (â€Ruth‬ â€2‬:â€15-16‬ NLT)
Sheila J., Beckley, WV, Is anyone thirsty? Come! All who will come and drink, drink freely of the Water of Life. Revelation 22:17 The Message
Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh Each morning. Lamentations 3:23 NLT
Debra, Carmel, IN. For we are Gods handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NLT
Denise, Lenoir, NC. “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:5(NASB)
“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
Ann from Senatobia, MS
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 40:18 NIV
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galations 6:9 (NIV)
“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
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.
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Phoebe M., Knoxville, TN
Ephesians 6:10, ESV
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”
Tracy Blattner, Cape Girardeau, MO 1 John 4:18 NIV There is no fear in love. Perfect Love drives out all fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in Love.
Illinois: Philippians 4:8
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.
Suzanne Allan, Alix, Alberta, Canada
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
Colossians 3:2 (NASB)
Catherine, Los Lunas NM
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
– Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)
Karen Lockshaw, San Diego, CA
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Psalms 37:5 Commit everything you do to the Lord, trust him and he will help you (NLT)
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. (â€Ephesians‬ â€3‬:â€17‬ NLT)
Dawn; Bristow, Virginia
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
Layla Shingledecker, Fort Worth, Texas
Psalm 139:23-24
23″Search me, O God, and know my heart;Test me and know my thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
Kecia, Magnolia, Arkansas
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. 3 John 11 NAS
Candace, Ella, and Annalise Escobar, Flower Mound, Texas
Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
Psalm 73: 25-26 ESV.
Dawn, Ofallon IL, “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit f adoption by whom we cry ABBA! FATHER!” Romans 8:15, HCSB
Terri from Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Micah 6:8 New Living Translation (NLT)
No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Weimar, TX. Jeremiah 29:11. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not evil, to give you a future and a hope. (NIV)
Shelly, Gastonia, NC, “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3
Cheri Biebel Sheridan, Wy Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (NASB)
Cara Dyba, Nashville, TN.
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (â€Hebrews‬ â€4‬:â€16‬ NLT)
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous hand. Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Lauren, Columbia, SC. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7, ESV)
Karen Parker, Pinehurst, TX – “A [woman] without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”
Proverbs 25:28 (ESV)
Phil 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.