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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sue Christian, NH
“Hear , O Israel: The lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 NIV
Tried posting last night but I don’t think I did it right. Trying again….
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, (â€2 Corinthians‬ â€10‬:â€5‬ NASB)
Karen Cobb, Raleigh NC. “Above everything else guard your heart, because from it flows the springs of live.” Proverbs 4:23 ISV
Ebony Robinson, Jackson, MS. “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” â€Philippians‬ â€3‬:â€13‬ NLT
Melinda, Atlanta, TX
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 (NASB)
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Regina, Salado, TX
The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains. Habakkuk 3:19
Amy Phibbs, Albemarle, NC
“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;”-Psalm 50:23, ESV
Brisbane, Australia “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! (â€Psalm‬ â€103‬:â€1‬ ESV)
Maria Torres, Anaheim, California. “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 ESV.
Emily G./Gaffney SC/”But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” Phil 3:13,14 NKJV
Kimberly DeVore, Tulsa, OK
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) -28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Joan C, East Berlin, PA Rom 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” NASB
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Colossians 3:16a
Job 11:18
You will be confident, because there is hope. You will look carefully about and lie down in safety. HCSB.
Jennifer From New Boston, Texas
Philippians 4: 8
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
“THe steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”-Lamentations 3:22-23
Denise Darnielle, Joaquin, Texas
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
Amy Oesterreich, Crown Point, Indiana. “No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.”
Ephesians 4:29 HCSB
Sherri Moultrie, Trussville, AL
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
Michelle Webb, Mountain Home, AR
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7 NIV
Annette Sweigart, Burke, Virginia. “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” Galatians 6:9 NASB
Alison Wagler, Vancouver, Canada. Joshua 1:9 NIV
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Jennifer Talsma in Stratford, ON, Canada
Ephesians 3:16 (NIV) “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,”
Kimberly Geurts, Menomonie, WI
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Carol from The Woodlands, TX
Psalm 17:8 KJV
Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
James 1:2-3 ESV
Kathy, Leamington, Ontario, Canada
“…your son shall come from afar
…then you shall become radiant,
and your heart will swell with joy…”
Isaiah 60:4&5
Kellie Moledor, North Canton, Ohio
“And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.” (â€Joel‬ â€2‬:â€32‬ ESV)
Jodi from DFW, TX
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.
with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever. (â€Psalm‬ â€136‬:â€1, 12‬ NIV)
Jan Horne, Bossier City, LA
How precious are God’s thoughts of you! How great are the sum of them. If you should count them, they are more in number than sand by the sea.
Psalm 139:17-18
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving , present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding , will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7.
Janine, Minneapolis, MN
It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; It was your right hand, your arm and the light of your face, for you loved them.
Psalm 44:3 NIV
Abby Kaufman, Vacaville CA
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free
John 8:32, NIV
Linda Barker; Reno, NV
“And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place” – Acts 17:26 ESV
Noelle Rebresh, Houston, TX “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” -Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Roxane, Harleysville, PA, But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33.
Lancaster, Pa. Lamentations 3:22 ESV
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end”
Lubbock, TX
“But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.” Gal. 6:8b (MSG)
Psalms 91
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty
Meg, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7.
Megan G in Nashville, TN
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; eve the hard paths overflow with abundance.
Psalm 65:11, NLT
God can certainly use other people to counsel us and guide us when we need help. Proverbs 27:9
I press on toward the goal, to win the prize for which God has called me, Heavenward in Jesus Christ. Phlippeans 3:14 NIV
Megan, Yorktown, Virginia: “Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” Romans 5:20, ESV
“You are no longer wandering exiles. This Kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders”. Ephesians 2:19 MSG
Terri Plumlee, Stamford, Texas – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
LeeAnn Winkle, Edmond, OK, and Sarepta, LA
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Let not your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Rosanna Wittenberg, Vancouver, Canada
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;… Hebrews 10:23 NASB
I want to continue to carve HIS WORD on my heart… daily focused on HIS love for me