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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Isaiah 43:18-19
“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.” NIV
Topeka Kansas. Couldn’t find my original post so reporting;)
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.” (â€Joshua‬ â€1‬:â€9‬ NIV)
Christine Arnold, Atlanta, GA – “In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” Psalm 5:3 NIV
One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend. Proverbs 22:11
Kelly Sumter,SC
May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
2 Thessalonians 3:5
ESV
Kimberly Kirby, Dallas, TX
“My flesh and heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26 ESV
Okanagan, BC, Canada
God demonstrates His own love for us in this, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8. NASB
Jan Taylor, in Tel Aviv, Israel
Amanda Jobe, Olathe, KS. “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7 NIV
Kelli, Anaheim, CA
When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul, (â€Jeremiah‬ â€29‬:â€13‬ NET)
Becky Hubbard, Conway, SC
“Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3
Amy, Wichita KS
1Peter4:8
“above all Love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins
1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
Dawn Silver, Corrales, NM
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
for His steadfast love endures forever!
1 Chronicles 16:34 NKJV
Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. Psalms 105:4
Emily, Winter Park, FL
Psalm 27:8 NLT
“My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ My heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming!'”
Holly, Alpharetta, GA
Isaiah 58:6 ESV
“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
Ashley from Bean Station,Tn
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 KJV
Jean Garrison, Palm Bay, Fl
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. (â€Psalm‬ â€89‬:â€15‬ NIV)
Stacy, Cape Girardeau, Missouri “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1 NIV
Tawana, Birmingham, AL
Hebrews 12:1 NLT
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Kristen, Seattle, WA
“Humility and the fear of The Lord bring wealth and honor to life.” Proverbs 22:4 NIV
Shirley Gylleck, Richardson, Texas, For unto us a child is given, Unto us a child is born, and the government will be upon His shoulder. and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 NKJV
Jessica Burnham, Dallas, Texas. “Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 NASB
From Hereford, TX
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 NIV
Tulsa, Ok
Luke 4:18-19
NIV
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor,
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor”
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13,14 NIV
Lisa Hahn, Gilroy, CA “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 ESV
Proverbs 18:21, ” Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat it’s. Fruit”. NKJV
Randi-lyn Farrell, St. Pete Beach, FL “I have pursued You with my whole heart; do not let me stray from Your commands. Deep within in me I have hidden Your word so that I will never sin against You.” Ps. 119:10-11 The Voice
Heather Nichols from Aurora, IL
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)
Jeremiah 29:11New International Version (NIV)
11 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.
Amy Heinl, Pittsburgh, PA, John 15:11 NASB These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
Lisa Peck, Las Vegas, NV. “So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 NASB
Allison, McKinney, TX
Ephesians 3:20 NLT:
“Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than he would ever dare to ask or hope.”
Of course, I would goof up my first day, forgot to put where I am from and cannot correct it, so here is the additional post. Essex, Iowa. Sorry!
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. Psalm 39:7 NLT
Kelli King, Athens, AL
“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” 1 Thessalonians 4: 11-12 NIV
Karin from Calgary, AB
Romans 10:17 “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” NIV
Pamela from Rock Island, IL, What is impossible with men is possible with God. Luke 18:27 NIV – praying for miracles in 2015…only God
Leanne Herrmann, Smithfield, NC. Exodus 33:14 “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” NIV
Stephanie Pennington, NC “The Lord loves us very much.
So we haven’t been completely destroyed.
His loving concern never fails.” Lamentations 3:22 NIV
Kari, Wheaton, IL
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 NIV
Brooke, Issaquah, WA
Proverbs 1:7 NIV
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Marcy, Bethany, OK– Isaiah 43:1b-3
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.”
Let all that you do be done in LOVE 1 Corinthians 16:14
Johnna Gaunch, Barboursville, West Virginia. “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
Tina Miller, Cynthiana, KY
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character hope”
Romans 5:3-4,NIV
Tricia Rea, Birmingham, AL “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” Luke 1:45 ESV
Saryta, Phoenix,AZ
Psalm 139:23-24
“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 everlasting.” (NIV)