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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tammy Kalada, Hendersonville , TN , ” Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.” Galatians 6:9 NAST
“I will give thanks to you, Lord. with all my heart, I will tell all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you. I will sing the praises of your name, O most high.” Psalm 9:1-2 (NIV)
Brenda Tuttle, Hudsonville MI
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be praying in your sight. I Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NIV
Rebecca Boyd Danbury,NC.
Heb 11:1 now faith is the substance of things hoped for,the evidence of things not seen
Jenniferlynn, Jacksonville, NC ” Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
Chris J from St. Louis – “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be a woman of courage; be strong. Do everything in love” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Moss Bluff, LA
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)
“Once our eyes are opened, we can’t pretend we don’t know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows what we know, and holds us responsible to act.”
Proverbs 24:12
Jenny, Houston:
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 ESV
Elizabeth,
Cedarburg, WI
1 John 4:10New Living Translation (NLT)
10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
Tanya, Kershaw, SC
I am creating something new. There it is! Do you see it? I have put roads in deserts, streams in thirsty lands. Isaiah 43:19
Melissa, Walla Walla WA “And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit s, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” -Romans 8:27 NASB
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6 NLT Midland, Michigan
Mary Alice Lauzon; Harrison Township; Michigan
Psalm 45:1 My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
Carrie, North Potomac, MD “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5 NIV
Elke Ingersoll – Lake Geneva, WI.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.” -Romans 12:1, NIV
Annette Kristynik, Fort Worth, Texas. “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV.
Annette Turner, Houston, Texas ” You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 NKJV
Sue G Rockford,Il. The LORD is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over with singing. Zephaniah 3: 17
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8 NIV
Jules Blackburn, Warrington, UK
Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. (â€1 Thessalonians‬ â€5‬:â€16-18‬ MSG)
Kelly Guerrero from Shreveport, Louisiana- For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Naj- Woodstock,GA
Posted yesterday in wrong place
Colossians 3:1 NIV
Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Nancy, Birmingham, Alabama – “Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in You I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.” ~ Ps. 143:8 ESV
Joanna Waller – Keller, Texas
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8 (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. Romans 15:13 NIV
Shelly Hurst, Leachville, AR. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 NIV
Dana, Gulf Shores, 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
Mark 3:23-25 (NLT)
Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration. “How can Satan cast out Satan?” he asked. “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart.” (NLT)
Sandy, Charleston
In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.
Dorian D, Grimes, IA
“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” – Ephesians 4:1b-2 (NIV)
Chery Moore, Plano Tx. Deuteronomy 33:12
Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.
Victoria Dopp, Zeeland, MI
And now, dear brothers and sisters, FIX your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think on things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8 NLT)
Kimberly Humphrey, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. “Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion you. For the Lord is a God of justice; how blessed are all those who long for Him.” Isaiah 30:18 NASB
Kathy Lonergan, Folsom, CA. For I consider that the sufferings of this present ime are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18 ESV)
Melissa, New Braunfels, Texas
May the God Of hope fill you with all joy & peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV)
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31 NIV)
Brooke Ward, Texarkana, Texas “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV
Ephesians 2;7. Kjv 1:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness toward us, through Christ Jesus.
My prayer for this siesta….
Jeanne Haase, Jaffrey, NH
Ephesians 4:25 (NKJV) “Therefore, putting away lying, let each of you speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.”
Jennifer Humphrey from Round Rock, TX
James 1:17 NIV Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Laura Jungeblut, Katy, TX You are my Lord, my Holy One, my Creator, my King. You are the One who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters. Isa. 43:15-16 NIV
Eva Taylor, McCalla, AL, Beloved, let us love one another;for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God. KJ
Kim Kuneli
Hubbard, Ohio
Above all, fear the Lord and worship Him faithfully with all your heart; consider the great things He has done for you.
1 Samuel 12:24 (HCSB)
Giulliana Tessarin, SĂŁo Paulo, Brazil
Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.
(â€Hosea‬ â€6‬:â€3‬ NIV)
Bobbye says:
January 2,2015at 7:10pm
Bobbye Sims, Russellville, Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will rest in the shadows of the Almighty.
Psalms 91:1
Reply
The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not
Know how to pray as we ought, but that
Very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.
Romans 8:26
Anita Corbell, Gladewater, TX
“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.”
Isaiah 61:10 NKJV
Psalms 2:12b- Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.
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 purpose. Jeremiah 29:11