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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Trisha Vismor, Watkinsville, GA. “So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” Nehemiah 6:3 NKJV
Monica Atwood, Lansing, Illinois. “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” Isaiah 61:1 NIV
Charlotte Skadal, Houston, Texas “When we worship the right way, God doesn’t stir us up into confusion; He brings us into harmony.” 1 Corinthians 14:33 (The Message) Forgot the scripture address in the first post! Too excited!!!
All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV
Marleeta McAnally, Florence, CO. “for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. v. 5 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. 10:4-5 (NASB)
Angela from Bartlesville, OK “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:3 NIV
Donna, Deer Park, TX
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see you good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16, NIV
Anne Stinnette, Guam working on the full sententce “In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Eph. 1:4c-6 NASB
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands just as we told you. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 NIV
Laquita Hunter, Athens, Texas. “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14
Margo, Burlington Ontario, “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.” 1 Timothy 6:11 NIV
Julie Palmyra PA
“For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love and a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
Tammy Miller Estelline South Dakota. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Rom. 15:13
Carol White, Vian, Oklahoma. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10, NIV.
Yay!!! We are off to a good start for the new year! Love this verse.
Gina Kellum, Weches, Texas. “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.” Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
Morgan Cooper, Lexington, KY, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” (â€1 Corinthians‬ â€1‬:â€25‬ NIV)
Terryl Arola, Pine City-MN. “For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
Laurel Morrell~Houston, TX~ “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20 (NIV)
Terri Waters, Harrison Township MI
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
Love this one! I may have to use it for next time! 🙂
Thank you, I’ve always liked this one too and often pray parts of it. But now I will have it fully memorized 🙂
I like Timothy 1:7 too! May be using that one in the future.
Shameaka Butler, Okinawa, Japan. “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:6 ESV
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Anita Kratz, Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania. “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
Great one, Anita! This is a personal favorite and one of the memory verses from a group I was involved in (First Place)! Love this one!
Jeri of Missouri City, TX
Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Vicki Knott, Greenwood, SC – A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired. Proverbs 17:22 (The Message)
Amen, Sister!
Elizabeth G., Horicon, WI. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. Psalm‬ â€86‬:â€11-12‬ ESV
Vicky Vest, Wynne, Arkansas You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. Psalm 119: 114 ESV
Shanon Edwards, LaSalle, Illinois. “But as for me, I will look to the Lord, I will wait for God my savior; my God will hear me!” Micah 7:7 NAB
Spring Grove, IL
2 Timothy 1:7 For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love & self-discipline. NIV
I picked this because I’ll need much self-discipline to stay with SSMT
Me too!
Lisa Wiesman Tabernacle NJ. ” behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Isaiah 43:19 NKJV
Connie Feight,Sioux Falls SD. “Then He said, “I AM the God of your father,the God of Abraham,the God of Isaac,and the God of Jacob.” At this,Moses hid his face,because he was afraid to look at God.”Exodus 3:6 NLT
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Luke 2:1-2
I have ALWAYS wanted to memorize the Christmas account, so this year I am going to do it!!!
Great idea! Love it!
Andi Pirtle, Atlanta, GA “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Kathy Holland, Grand Rapids MN
“Do not be afraid. I am with you! I am your God-let nothing terrify you! I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you.” Isaiah 41:10 GNT
Megan Baker, Salisbury MD. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 NASB
Abigail Dubbe, Red Lion PA. Isaiah 41:13, “For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (NIV)
Bobbie Lutz, College Station, TX
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
“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”
Rebecca Holmes, Birmingham, 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 wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€18-19‬ NIV)
Breann, Flora, Indiana: May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing i your sight, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Joni
Princeton wv
But now this says the Lord who created you O Jacob, and He who created you O Israel: ” fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, YOU ARE MINE”
-Isaiah 43:1 NKJV
Kimberly Zimmer, Petoskey, Michigan. 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 43:19 NIV
Patti
Tampa, Florida
John 10:9-10 (MSG)
I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through Me will be cared for – will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.
Alyson Fillers, Grapevine, Texas, “You will keep in perfect peace the mind that is dependent on You, for it is trusting in You.” Isaiah 26:3, HCSB
Gay
Round Rock, Texas
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in You.”
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Samantha Baggett, Wadley, AL “Glory in His Holy Name! Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.” 1 Chronicles 16:10 NIV
Gretchen, McKinney, Texas “By (the help of) God I will praise His word; on God I lean, rely, and confidently put my trust; I will not fear. What can man, who is flesh, do to me?”
Psalm 56:4 AMP
Rachel Ayers Graze, Surprise, AZ:
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, my God.” Psalms 42:1 (NIV)
Sarah Fritch, Soddy Daisy, Tennessee
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. NIV
Kristy Smith, Canal Winchester, Ohio, Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Eph 5:15-17 (NASB)
Pam Coleman, DeLeon Springs, Florida.
“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.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
Tiffany Galloway, Orange Park, FL: In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. John 1:1 (KJV)