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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Miriam, Bemidji MN
Ps. 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Amy K, Jackson TN
I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1 (NIV)
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. John 1:6-8, ESV
Katrina Norfleet, Silver Spring, MD The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Psalm 37:23 NLT
Stephanie, Lake Wales, Florida
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV
Marla. Memphis, TN ”
“There is hope in your future, say the Lord, That your children shall come back to their own border.” Jeremiah 31:17 NKJV
Karen — Thornton, CO — “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” — Deuteronomy 31:6 NASB
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
Is. 32:2 And each one of them shall be like a hiding place from the wind and a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a day place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land.
A commentary said, “A holy man is a spiritual force – a “God – oasis” to the hurting, the ignorant, and those in need. My prayer…
Psa 86:11 “Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.”
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.
Psalm 119:37, NIV
Martinez, California
Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
Amber | Gastonia, NC
Behold, I will do a new thing;
now it shall spring forth;
shall ye not know it?
I will even make a way in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€19‬
Luke 6:45 NIV
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
Ava, Casper, Wyoming
Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name.
Psalm 103:1 NIV1984
Eph 3:16
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. NLT
Samantha. Dale, TX
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” 2 Corinthians 4:17
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
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.
So excited to do this. I’m a day late but still want the accountability.
Romans 8:5-6
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. NIV
Karina S., Denton, TX, Isaiah 43:19 (NET)
“Look, I am about to do something new. Now it begins to happen! Do you not recognize it? Yes, I will make a road in the desert and paths in the wilderness.”
Amber | Gastonia, NC
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€19‬ KJV
Stacey, Republic, MO. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.” Jeremiah 29:13-14 ESV
Tracy Braddy, Soperton, GA. ” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” Romans 10:14 ESV
Carol Wood, St. Louis, MO, “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22 NIV
Ginger, Charles Town, WV
Jeremiah 17:14 NCV
Lord, heal me, and I will truly be healed.
Save me, and I will truly be saved.
You are the one I praise.
Stephanie
Cartersville, GA
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. (â€Hebrews‬ â€4‬:â€16‬ NIV)
In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; in the morningI will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch. NASB
Tina Reynolds DeRidder, Louisiana “Whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.” (Proverbs 1:33)
Kari Wahl, Springfield, MO
Joshua 1:8 (KJV)
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Robin Tella, Sacramento, CA, “It is for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Gal 5:1, NIV
Concetta, White Oak, TX “Create in me a clean heart, O God, renew a right spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10 ESV
Anderson, CA
2 Cor. 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. GENESIS 1:1 (NLV)
Cory Anna, Atlanta
“His miracles are staggering, his wonders are surprising. His kingdom lasts and lasts, his sovereign rule goes on forever.” -Daniel‬ â€4‬:â€3‬ msg
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 ESV
Angie, Nixa MO….Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. ~ Psalm 90:12
Donna, Birmingham, AL
“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”
1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV
Pat Avise, Augusta, IL. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. (Exodus 14:14, NIV)
Amy, Dallas, TX – “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Cor 10:5, NASB
Ma | Colleyville, Tx
Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Isaiah 55:6 ESV
Jess
Conway, SC
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6 NIV
Linda Delray Beach FL
For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or the darkness. 1Thessalonians 5:5 (ESV)
Jaime Weaver, Klamath Falls, Oregon
“I will make music to you among the nations. For your grace is great, above heaven, and your truth, all the way to the skies. Be exalted, God, above heaven! May your glory be over all the earth, in order that those you love can be rescued; so save with your right hand, and answer me!” Psalm 108:4b-7 The Complete Jewish Bible
Wellsville, UT
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2 NLT
Penne, Spokane, WA “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 ESV
Michelle Miller, Roseville, CA
“I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me. In righteousness and justice, in lovingkindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, and you shall know the LORD.”
Hosea 2:19-20 NKJV
Judy, Lancaster, PA – “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” Ps 23.1 nlt
Carol Lesher-Clive, Alberta-“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NASB
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Staci, Chesapeake, VA Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV