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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cyndy Durham
To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding
Proverbs 1:2 KJV
Lisa Tackett, Bethany OK
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Deuteronomy 32:2-4
“2 Let my teaching fall like rain and my word settle (condense, distill) like dew,
like gentle rain on new grass and showers on tender plants.
3 For I will proclaim Yahweh’s name (ADONAI, LORD). Declare the greatness of our God!
4 The Rock—His work is perfect, all His ways are entirely just.
A faithful God, without prejudice (injustice), He is righteous and true.(HCSB) with emphasis added from CJV and NKJV
Christie from Greeley, Colorado Matthew 9:36 “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like a sheep without a shepherd.” (NIV)
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NIV
Amanda White from Somerville, TN
Psalm 112:7 (NIV) They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD
Robyn Nestvogel. Rock Hill, SC. “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 grow faint.”
Isaiah 40:31. NIV
Naomi Josephson
Red Rock, Texas
Colossians 3:2-3
Set your minds on things above, not on things of this earth. For you died, and your life is hidden in Christ in God. (NKJV)
I Corinthians 10:31 Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God(ESV)
Heather of Saint Cloud, Minnesota:
Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;keep watch over the door of my lips.Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.
Psalm 141:3-4 NIV
Miranda Marsh from Claremore, OK
From the ESV: Isaiah 43:19
“Behold I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth do you no perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Sheila, Sugar Land, TX
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV
Carolyn – Anna, TX
Matthew 9:22
Jesus turned & saw her, “Take heart, daughter” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.
Nini Dungan, Kansas City, Mo. 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
Jeanne Newberry, Cordova, TN. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. (â€1 Corinthians‬ â€13‬:â€2‬ NLT)
Johanna, Johnstown CO, Romans 8:1-2 ESV:
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Tina Thunell, Olympia, WA
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. (â€Galatians‬ â€5‬:â€1‬ NASB)
Melanie Perry Independence, Ohio
Joshua 1:9
*BBE* Have I not given you your orders? Take heart and be strong; have no fear and do not be troubled; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 NIV
Matthew 25:35 – “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
Norma K.
Lima Ohio
2 TImothy 1:7
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. NIV
Jennifer Williams, Janesville WI
Psalm 27:4 The one thing I ask of the Lord–the thing I seek most–is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. (NLT)
Tammy Wingo, KY “Depend on the Lord in whatever you do and you will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 NCV
Ps 92:12-15
Kelleen Little, Spokane, WA Ps 92:12-15 ESV
12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree
and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 They are planted in the house of the Lord;
they flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They still bear fruit in old age;
they are ever full of sap and green,
15 to declare that the Lord is upright;
he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
ESV
Karen, Bellingham, WA
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
“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 desert and streams in the wasteland.”
Kimberly from Chico, CA
But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalm 1:2
Rebecca – Apex, NC
Proverbs 16:1-4
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives. Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Terri O, Fountain Valley, CA
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
Kay Handy, Pasadena, TX
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 NASV
Marcene Saxman, Watsonville, CA “Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him.” 1 John 1:5 (HCSB)
Daura Crawley, Conway, AR
Colossians 3:16
Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
ESV
Janet, Columbus, Georgia: “We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.” Proverbs 16:33, NLT
Kelly Green, Quincy, IL
Ah, Lord God! Behold you have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You! Jeremiah 32:17 NASB
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 NIV
Luke 6:40 A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.
Sharon from Van, TX
“Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.”
Psalm 119:1 NIV
Hebrews 4:16
So let us come boldly to the thrown of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
For I know the plans I have for you. They are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Diana, Lewis Center, Ohio
Romans 16:20, NIV
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
Decatur, TX 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
(16)Be joyful always; (17)pray continually; (18)give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Chris Jesus. (NIV)
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love, wherewith he loved us, Eph. 2:4 KJV
Liz, Montoursville PA
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Phillipians 4:11 NIV
“Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the Love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romane 8:39 (NLV)
Dallas, TX James 4:7-8 (ESV)
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded
Catherine, Bowling Green, KY
“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.” Joshua 1:9 RSV
Cheryl Anderson, Maumelle, AR
Isaiah 43:19 NLT
For I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for them in the desert!
I Cor. 10:13 (NKJV)
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Trish Friona, TX
“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
Betsy & Lydia Warren, Flower Mound, TX
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth I desire besides you.” Psalm 73:25 ESV
Stephanie–Frankfort, KY: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13 NIV)