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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jackie, Dallas, “Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19, NASB
Rene’ Sorenson, Mineola, TX
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB)
18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Heather, farmington, nm
Psalms 91:11 ELB amplified version
For He will give His angels charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways.
Carol Marshall, Gilbert, AZ A joyful heart is good medicine but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:33 ESV
Andrea Hahn, Eindhoven, Netherlands: “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:16 KJV
Search e O God, and know my heart: test me and know my anxious thoughts. Psalm 139: 23 NLT
Leanne Chislett, Durham Ox, Victoria, Australia
“it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1NIV
Gina, Portales, NM
“Casting the whole of your care [all your anxiety, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
I Peter 5:7 (AMP)
Eligia David, Chicago, Ill ” The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (KJV)
Aryn Madsen, Beaverton, OR “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.” Philippians 4:6 (MSG)
Shannon, Arroyo Grande, CA
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV
Abbey, Waco, Texas.
“Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation – but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Romans 8:12-14 (NIV)
Couldn’t find mine
Bobbi Wineberg, Lake City, FL
For God has not given us a sprit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.(NKJV) 2 Timothy 1:7
Becky Scudder, Broomfield CO
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. Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Sarah McLean, Cadillac, MI
“And the Lord’s bondservant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.” II Timothy 2:24-26 NASB?
From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another – John 1:16
Brenda Earley, Hayden, AL:
“May you be strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy.”
Colossians 1:11 (HCSB)
Natalie N., San Diego, CA
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 1 John 1:1-2 (NKJV)
Arisela Shaw, The Wooldands, Texas
“Be joyful always, pray continurally; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessolonians 5:16-18
Lisa Rejoice, Austin, TX
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He WILL give you the desires of your heart” Ps.37:4 (ESV)
Decatur , AR. Col.3:15 NIV. Let the peace of Christ
rule in your hearts,since you were called to peace
and be thankful
Paula White, Aledo, TX
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10 NIV
Tonya, Searcy, AR
Proverbs 3:5
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…”
NIV
Tammy Zilinski, East Dundee, IL
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
“…He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. ” John 10: 3b-4
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 (NASB)
John 14:27 peace I leave with you . My peace I give unto you , Not as the world give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled , neither let it be afraid. Kjv. My mom was diagnosed with cancer . This verse comforts me .
John 14:1
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believes also in me.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Amanda from Denton TX.
Psalm 62:5-8
5 Rest in God alone, my soul,
for my hope comes from Him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock.
My refuge is in God.
8 Trust in Him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts before Him.
God is our refuge.Selah
Cheryl Beecroft-Penner, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
Philippians 3:10 “For my determined purpose is that I may know Him, that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person more strongly and more clearly.” (Amp)
Sherry
Waterford, Michigan
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 ESV
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 Corinthians 12:9
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. (â€Philippians‬ â€1‬:â€6‬ NIV)
Lisa from Greenville, SC.
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Hayley Keaton, Olathe, KS. “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NLT
Isaiah 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
My soul shall be joyful in my God;
For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
Cindy Jones, Trussville, AL
“Now you’ve got my feet on the life path,all radiant from the shinning of your face.
Ever since you took my hand am on the right way.”
Psalm 16:11The Message
James 1:1-18
Kim M, Shivers, Ms
Ps. 139:23-24.. Search me o God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Laura. Galesburg, IL
“May you be strenghtened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy” ESV
Kelli Organ, Spokane, WA.
“And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” Revelation 12:11 ESV
For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. (â€Hebrews‬ â€10‬:â€36‬ ESV)
Judy Pauley, Norfolk, Va.
This God-His way is perfect;
the word of the Lord proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him. Ps. 18:30 ESV
For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
1 Corinthians 1:19 (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding
In all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Madelyn Cavanaugh, San Antonio, TX
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)
So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up.
Gal 6:9
ESV
Statesville, NC
Version was NET not ESV
Mikala, West Newbury, Ma
Let Love Be without Dissimulation. Abhor That Which Is Evil; Cleave ToThat Which Is Good. Romans 12.9 KJV