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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Terri Baker, Houston Texas, “We have to fight to keep our faith. Try as hard as you can to win that fight. Take hold of eternal life. It is the life you were chosen to have when you confessed your faith in Jesus—that wonderful truth that you spoke so openly and that so many people heard.” 1 Timothy 6:12 ERV
I found that I like the ESV version – it flows better…so this is the one I memorized: “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 TIM 6:12
After I had decided this verse was it – the pastor used 1 John 5:13 on Sunday, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” There is good stuff in the scriptures – it is our life blood!
Psalm 91:1 NKJV
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
jen-highlands ranch, co
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
Lolita Webster, Willis, Tx
“Do not conform 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)
Sue Williams, Baker, LA “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 NASB
Toni from tallahassee fl. Says
Never will I leave you or forsake you.
Niv
Hebrews 13:5
Lily Green, Madison, AL
“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)
Joan Vanderwall, Orofino, Idaho, “the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God…..for with God, nothing shall be impossible.” Luke 1:35 & 37 (KJV)
Joanne Harris, Aledo, IL. “Therefore, if any one is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old HS gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Cindy
Flemingsburg, KY
He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Psalm 91:4 NIV
Joanie…El Dorado Hills, California
John 17:17 “Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth.” NIV
Debi, Chesterfield, VA
Romans 12:12 NIV
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction & faithful
In prayer
Bree Wakefield
Painted Post, NY
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
1 Peter 4:19 (ESV)
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Ps. 145:18
Laura Beatie, Aurora, MO
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
Eileen Huizar, Ontario, California
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 ESV)
Patti Taylor, South Fulton, Tennessee.
The heavens declare the glory of God and the skies announce what His hands have made.
Day after day they tell the story. Night after night they tell it again.
They have no speech or words; they have no voice to be heard.
But their message goes out through all the world. Their words go everywhere on earth.
Psalms 19:1-4. NCV
2603 S.E. 6th Street
Bentonville AR 72712-6889
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. King James Version
Jennifer Robinson, Dallas, Texas “O Lord, You have searched me and known me.” Psalm 139:1 NASB
Cathy from Rockland, WI…” Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” This seems to be the verse God has chosen for me over the past few months and continuing into 2015.
Tanya E.
Mansfield, TX
Matthew 5:16. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. NIV
Ephesians 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask for or think, according to the power that works within us,
“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 (ESV)
(NOTE: This was the verse God gave me during my quiet time on the day I was baptized. Dec 7, 2014)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
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. Jer. 29:11 NIV
Hannah, Rome, GA
“In the same way the spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
Romans 8:26 ESV
Melanie Baker, Chicago, IL
“But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.'”
Isaiah 43:1 (ESV)
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[a] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4 NIV
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 NLT
Laura Naiser, Georgetown, Texas
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12 (NRSV)
Ruth Schrock, Vacouver, WA “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” 2 Chronicles 32:7-8a NKJV
Needed for this time and season!
Pam Smith, Toronto, Kansas,
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phillipians 4:13
Alena, Rocky Point, NY
Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)
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.
Jennifer Haglund; Story City, IA; “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)
Meggan Johnson-Lancaster, NY.
“He must become greater; I must become less.”
John 3:30 NIV
Jennifer Nix, Round Hill,VA, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearer.” Ephesians 4:29, KJV.
Linda
San Luis Obispo
“So then you are no longer aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God”.
Ephesians 2:19 ESV
I’m late, I’m late, I’m late!!!! I made a mental note to do this first thing yesterday morning but apparently, mental notes do not work as well when you turn 40 as they did when you were 20. Sigh.
My verse is one that is on an old window on my wall that I have moved to a central location so I see it on a daily basis. Proverbs 6:24, KJV, “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
I am dealing with massive changes at work and family turmoil so am having to constantly remind myself that my daddy’s voice is not always the way to handle the situation. Sometimes a polite “Bless your heart” or “I am not going to dignify that with a response” is better than “Are you stupid?”
Lisa Cink, Duluth, GA
“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16 NLT
Lynn, Richmond, VA
Philippians 4:19
“And my God will meet all your needs
According to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus
Julie Ward, Williston, Fl
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
Religion that GOD our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27
(NIV)
Leslie Giron from Johnston City, IL
Daniel 2:20 NKJV
Daniel answered and said;
Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
For wisdom and might are His.
Vicki- winter haven, Fl. Colossians 2:6-7 NIV
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Sammantha Jenkins, Goose Creek, SC
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Stephanie | Springfield, Illinois
“I will seek you with my whole heart; don’t let me wander from your commandments. I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you. ”
Psalm 119:10-11
HSCB/NIV
Debbie cherry – Nixa MO. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things. -Philippians 4:8 new English translation
Deanna, Minneapolis, Ks. Colossians 5:22 NIV. The fruit of the Spirit is love Joy peace patients kindness and goodness self-control. Against these things there is no law.
Dolly M, Torrington, CT. ” But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Cor 12:9 NIV
Stacey Solomon, Palm City,FL
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matt 6:33-34 (NIV)