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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kathy Reid, Pryor OK
Give to those who ask and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow. Matthew 5:42 NLT
I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 NIV
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me
Mary Margaret Collingsworth, Franklin, TN
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines… yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation” Habakkuk 3:17-18 ESV
June Wilson, Huntsville, Alabama – Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. – Psalm 51:10 NIV
Amy in Berlin, Germany
Deuteronomy 5:32-33 New International Version (NIV)
32 So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. 33 Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.
Sandy from Corvallis, OR – “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16 (NIV)
Marlena Rosedale, OK
“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessy make known the mystery of the gosepl.” Eph 6:19 (NIV)
Kathy from Fountain Inn, SC
“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” –
1 Peter 1:8
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
Amen!
Linda Sommers, Xenia,Ohio
“For I know the plans I have you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
Arien Harper, Eunice, Louisiana
“Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
Nehemiah 8:10 NLT
Jennifer R Houston, Texas “With such affection for you we were happy to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives because you had become dear to us.” 1 Thes 2:8, NET
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26
Joy Yeazel, Eaton,Ohio, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 NIV
Pamela – Alexandria, LA
Isaiah 58:6 and 7
6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
Leia, Las Vegas: “But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7 (ESV)
Search me, O God, and know my heart. Test me and know all of my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
CARLA in Nashville, TN. Psalm 19:14. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. (KJV)
Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.
Psalm 105:4 NIV
“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Mark 10:9,NIV
Christin McDowell of Lakeland, Florida – “She opens her mouth in wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:26
Karla Pogue, Fort Worth, Texas – My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Rocky Mount, VA “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us” Ephesians 3:20 NIV
Morgan Johns, Mobile, Alabama
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him” Psalm 28:7 KJV
Rayni from Southern California, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:13 NLT
Elizabeth H – Lewisville, TX
“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
Lynda Valdez, Hot Springs Village, AR “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2:He was in the beginning with God. 3: All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. “John 1:1-3
Cyndy Durham Newark DE
To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding
Proverbs 1:2 KJV
Anacortes, WA
“But my righteous one shall live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” Hebrews 11:38 NIV
Elizabeth Arnold, Waco, Texas
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. 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 â€37‬:â€5-7‬ ESV
Karen Brazell, Statesboro, Georgia ” Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. Romans 5:3-4 ESV
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. – Psalm 51:10 NIV
Hannah Arnold- Carrollton TX
“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.” Philippians‬ â€4‬:â€8‬ NIV
Sondra Teague, Jonesboro, AR– Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17; NKJV
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 has passed away. Revelation 21:4 NIV
Marie Davis.
Byhalia, MS
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” Galatians 5:16-17, ESV.
Joretta W, Woodstock GA
“Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in ALL circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16 (NIV)
Allie, Ames, IA
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” Hebrews 6:19 NIV
Katie H., Murfreesboro, TN – “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all things for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you.” 1 Thessalonians 16 – 18. ASV
Isaiah 43:16,18-19 NIV
This is what the Lord says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, “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.
Hollie from Rochester, IL
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” – Colossians 4:2 (NIV)
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love for those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations,
Deut 7:9
Michelle Arnold from Carrollton, Texas: 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. (â€Ephesians‬ â€4‬:â€29‬ NIV)
Lil Sprong, Albuquerque, New Mexico “No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in His faith as he gave glory to God.” Romans 4:20 ESV
Julie Reynolds, Tallassee, Alabama
One thing God has spoken,two things I have heard:
“Power belongs to you, God,and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;
and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.” Psalm 62:11-12 NIV
Carolina S., Corpus Christi, TX “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matt. 6:33 NIV
Starting a day late, Sorry!!
January 1, 2015
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in the earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galations 2:20 NLT