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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Carolyn Spencer, Olive Branch, MS. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Pat Rickman, Escondido, CA Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Psalm 37:7 ESV
Sheri, Austin TX
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
Susan from Cleveland
Luke 1:46–And Mary said, My heart glorifies the Lord
Mandy Daniels, Starkville, MS
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18 NIV
Psalm 86:11
Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
NIV
Katelyn O’Quin, Garland, TX
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 NLT
Candice, Lavonia, GA
“Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind.” Proverbs 21:5 (MSG)
Crystal, Livonia, Michigan…
“A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger” Proverbs 15:1 (KJV)
Pam from Sulphur, La: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians‬ â€4‬:â€13‬ NKJV
Psalms 62:8
Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Thou, O Lord, art a shield about me. My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
Psalm 3:3 NASB
Carol, Franklin, TN
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things as passed away.
Revelation 21:4
laura Mankovsky Gilroy CA
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 NIV
Tina Katzmann, Rockwall, Tx
Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Britt Burlile, Morrow Ohio. “Gracious words are like a honeycomb. Sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” ESV
Dawn Jenkins, Childress,TX
Duet. 30:6 MSG
GOD, your God, will cut away the thick calluses on your heart and your children’s hearts, freeing you to love GOD, your God, with your whole heart and soul and live, really live
Charlene Turlington. Lakeland, FL
Create in me a clean heart, O God, renew a right spirit within me.
Psalms 51:10 ESV
Proverbs 1:8
Listen my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching (NIV)
Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Sharon. Paris Tx. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;the old has gone, the new has come!NIV.
For I know the plans I have for you Jeremiah 29:11
carla lorenzo white house tn
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Missy Ford Campbellsville KY O Lord, thou hast searched me and known me. Psalm 139:1 KJV
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
” Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” Philippians 2:14-15 ESV
Tricia, Dallas,TX
Thou, O Lord, art a shield about me. My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
Psalm 3:3 NASB
Lisa DeBoom, Ocoee, FL
Colossians 3:17 (ESV)
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. (NIV)
Lamentations 3:22-24
22Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
Maria Agterhof-Hinloopen, Netherlands;
Schep mij een rein hart, o God, en vernieuw in mijn binnenste een standvastige geest. Psalm 51:12
Cathy Concord, NC
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 KJV
Cathy, Russellville, AR
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
John 8:32 NIV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
Carroll- Shreveport, LA
John 16:33 (ESV)
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Isaiah 66:2
Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word. NIV
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. her. 29:11 NIV
Susan Hillier, Lake Oswego Oregon, Trust in the LORD with all my heart and do not lean on my own understanding. Proverbs 3:5, ASB
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.”
Jenny Winfree, Nashville, TN- “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV
Charlene. El Dorado Hills, CA. 1 Corinthians 9:27(NLT)
I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
Jaci from Cape Coral, Florida
John 14:27 NIV
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Rebecca Crocker, Akron, OH. “He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24 ESV
Susan Clinton, MS
Turn my heart toward your statues and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things. Psalm 119:36-37a NIV
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV
Andrea, Las Cruces, New Mexico.
You are my hammer and weapon of war: with you I break nations in pieces; with You I destroy kingdoms.
Empowering
Alana, Beaver Falls,PA
Galations 5:1 (NIV)
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Jamie Ely, Brandon, MS
For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
Siesta Katie. Garner, NC.
Col.1:11 ESV
May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.