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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rhonda Latham, Haslet, TX
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18 NIV
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
Danielle E – Enumclaw WA
“You crown the year with your blessings and you leave abundance in your wake.”
Psa 65:11 (ESV)
Laura Maddox. Rhineland, MO.
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 NIV
Susan- Houston – Isaiah 43:19 – ESV – Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a at in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Ruth from Hummelstown, PA
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3: 5-6 NLT
Melissa from Lancaster, PA
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Long Beach, MS
“He shall cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you shall take refugee.”
Psalms 91:4 (NKJV)
Brandee Steffens Loveland, CO – Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
Katelynn Stoll – Northglenn, CO
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete and not lacking in anything. James 1:4 NIV
Stephanie Blanchard. Indianola, IA
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. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
Shawn Seeds, Reno,NV
Be my Rock of refuge, to which I can always go, give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Psalm 71:3 NIV
A generous man will prosper. He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. -Proverbs 11:25
Nancy Collegeville, PA
“My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands, For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.
(Proverbs 3:1-2) NKJV
Betty Phillips, Killeen, TX
“give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”
I Thessalonians 5:18 NIV
Lacie, Rachel, Jami, Pamela, Renee from Rowlett, TX “Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1 ESV
Rachel Delaney, IL
I lift up my eyes to the hills.From where does my help come?My help comes from the LORD,who made heaven and earth.He will not let your foot be moved;he who keeps you will not slumber.Behold, he who keeps Israelwill neither slumber nor sleep.The LORDÂ is your keeper;the LORDÂ is your shade on your right hand.The sun shall not strike you by day,nor the moon by night.Psa The LORDÂ will keep you from all evil;he will keep your life.The LORDÂ will keepyour going out and your coming infrom this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 121 ESV
Sonia L, WI
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 (NIV)
Melody, Lexington Park, MD
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away, behold new things have come. 2Corinthians 5:17 NASB
Mary Murdaugh – Medina, Tennessee
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
I will bless you with hope – a future of success, not of suffering. You will turn back to me and ask for help, and I will answer your prayers. Jeremiah 2911-12
New season in life
Isaiah 43:19-Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth, do you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Dawn from Nederland, Texas
Philippians 1:6 (NIV)
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Sweetwater, TN NIV
Romans 12:21, Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Philippians 4:6 NAB
Jackie Sutton, Callahan, FL “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Ps 91:1 KJV
Romans 8:32
“He who did not spare his own Son, but gavehim up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
Melissa Norman Stony Point,NC
Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left. (â€Isaiah‬ â€30‬:â€21‬ NASB)
Amy H. Eva, Alabama.
“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
Matthew 6:33 NIV
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Raechel Bunt
Moody, Alabama
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. Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
Julie Schneider, Stockton, CA
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Philippians 4:6 NAB
Michele Conreur, Boynton Beach FL “I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord most high.” ~Psalm 7:17 (NIV)
The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
NIV
Jen Bottorff, Westport, KY
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.’ 1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11.1 KJV
Heather Lopez Lindale, GA
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)
Sherilyn–Warsaw, Indiana
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. Isaiah 43:19, ESV
Kelli, Nashville, TN
“If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all-how will be not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:31-2 ( NIV)
Robin ~ Villa Ridge, MO ~ “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26
Karen, Colleyville TX
Ephesians 3:16 NLT
I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit.
Sharon, Grapevine, TX, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Jodi Potter, Torrance, CA
“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;though he may stumble, he will not fall,for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” Psalm 37 23:24 NIV
Heather Hatfield, mena Arkansas. The grass withers and the flowers fade but the word of the Lord stands forever.
Isaiah 40:8
Mills River, NC
For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
Isaiah 43:19 NLT
Romans 8:28 For we know that God works all things for good to those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.
Jessica
Sonora, KY
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 NIV
Isaiah 43:2 NIV
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.
Valarie Pemberton, Franklin, IN
John 15:7 (NIV)
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10 KJV