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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight. I am determined to keep your decrees to the very end.” Psalm 119:111,112. NLT
LJohnson, South Carolina
“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways”
-Psalm 119:37, ESV
Jean Everett – Lebanon, Tennessee
“OÂ my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge.”
Psalms‬ â€62‬:â€8‬ NLT
Donna, Deerfield, Illinois. “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer to everyone.” Colossians 4:6 NIV
Kathy Steffy, Russellville, Arkansas
So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Heb. 12:12 NLT
Allison, from Searcy, AR:
“for God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control” ~ 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
Patty W. Talbott,Tn.
Come everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise! For the Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth. Psalm 47:1-2 NLT
Margie, Pretty Prairie, KS
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 KJV
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
I Timothy 4:12 NIV
Kristin from Loudon, TN
Melanie Shenning, Valrico Florida
” 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 43:19 NIV
Therefore brethren since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, his flesh, and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil consience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:19-22 NASB
The Lord [a] God has given Me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple. Isaiah 50:4 NASB
Sue Watson, Lebanon, Tennessee
Matthew 6:34New International Version (NIV)
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Peggy, Sweetwater,TN. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua1:8 ESV.
Barrie Bostrom Maryville TN. Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ESV
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. (â€Isaiah‬ â€40‬:â€29‬ ESV)
Judy, Bangor, ME “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Olivia Herr, Omaha, Nebraska
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1, NIV
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV). Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness
Michelle from Matthews, NC: “These I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” Isaiah 56:7 ESV
Nancy Alspach, Versailles, Ky
Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned; They did not help the poor and needy. -Ezekiel 16:49 NIV
Sherry Mullins
Mansfield TX
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalms 28:7 NIV
Morgan, Denver, Colorado “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 NASB
My first verse of the year is “My grace is sufficient for you for My power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast more freely about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
I am memorizing and meditating with my beloved sister-in-law throughout this year. I am looking forward to growing in Christ together with her.
Krista WV
Is.64:8 KJV
But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
Evan Stratton, Charlotte NC, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”, Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Jill Walker, Atlanta, GA – “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€19‬ ESV)
Katie- Silver Spring, MD
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans8:18 (NIV)
Sheena Donley, Lakeland,Florida
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 40:31 NIV
Kim Boylan, Washingtonville, NY
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing.”. Isa. 43:18,19 ESV
Hey Love! I know you! xoxo!
Fareen Doss
Las Vegas, NV
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works that no one should boast”
-Eph 2:8-9 NKJV
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. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€19‬ NIV)
Hey Love! I know you! xoxo!
p.s. I just bookmarked this as my next verse, forgetting you chose it! =)
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one
who seeks him; it is good to wait quiet for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:25-26 NIV
Karen Ragan, Nolensville, TN “Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you” 1Peter 5:7 NIV
Vanessa Lipsit, San Antonio, TX “The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.” Ephesians 1:14 NLT
Brandy, McCordsville, IN
For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. Psalm 33:4 NLT
Psalm 71:14
But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.
NIV
Gina Gizzo, Naperville, IL
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (â€Hebrews‬ â€4‬:â€16‬ ESV)
Barbara Borders, Lewisburg KY
Proberbs 2:6 “For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
Missie
Marble Falls, TX
“For I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.” 2 Timothy 1:12 ESV
Ezra 10:4 Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.”(NIV)
Sharon – Spruce Pine, North Carolina
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21
Juli Garrido, Buenos Aires, Argentina
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,” 1 Peter 1.8 NIV
Jessica Hannah, Clarksburg, WV “Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.”-Psalm 103:2-5 (NIV)
N. Richards, Stratton, CO ” Set a watch, O Lord, befor my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” Psalms 141:3 KJV
Madison Whisnant, Doniphan, MO
“‘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
Suzi West, Gainesville TX
My hands also will I lift up [in fervent supplication] to Your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on Your statutes. (â€Psalm‬ â€119‬:â€48‬ AMP)
Leslie Murphys, CA
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mt. Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
Psalm 125:1 NIV
Dianne Maineville, Ohio
No, dear brothers & sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past & looking forward to what lies ahead.
Philippines 3:13 nlt
Dianne I really like your verse too. It is so true.