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) Ā 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 ofĀ 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 areĀ 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:Ā
Your name, city, verse (written all the way out), reference, and translation.Ā
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 citizensĀ with the saints and members of the household of God.”Ā 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 householdĀ all we’ve got. Christ is so altogether worthy.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! One last thing before I say Go!Ā 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 upĀ on the SSMT informational comments. Ā 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. Ā I know it’s a bit complicated at first! Hang with it!Ā So sorry for your extra trouble!
Hey, I am so glad you’re doing this with us. So much love to you.
OK, GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anne Williamson, Selma, Alabama
Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
Colossians 3:16 New Living Translation
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
Heidi Wyatt, Amarillo, TX āForget 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.ā Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
Hebrews 10:35 – 36
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the LORD… Jeremiah 30:17 ESV
Betty Guidry, Houston, TX “Keep steady my steps according to your promise and let no iniquity get dominion over me.” PSALM 119:133 ESV
Jenene Lighty, Avon, IN. Because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. (āEphesiansā¬ ā1ā¬:ā11ā¬ NLT)
Amy, Simpsonville, SC “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. “(āJamesā¬ ā1ā¬:ā4ā¬ NKJV)
Jessica Wallace, Hendersonville, NC “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children in the light.” Ephesians 5:8 NIV
Kelly Weaver
Lexington, KY
“Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Dawn, Cape Coral, FL
Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16 (ESV)
Lucy Helmer
Lanagan,MO
GenMogen 4you “If you choose to do what is right, will you not be accepted? If you choose to do what is not right, sin crouches at your door, its desire is to have you, but you must master it.”
Penny E, Sun City, AZ. Behold I shall 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 NKV
Lucy Helmer
Lanagan,MO
Gen 4:16 “If you choose to do what is right, will you not be accepted? If you choose to do what is not right, sin crouches at your door, its desire is to have you, but you must master it.”
Psalms 143:8 NLT
Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.
Sherry Lee Owensboro, KY
Cara Mahler, Oklahoma City, OK
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. (Ps. 63:1 NIV)
Deb Fairchild, Leoti, KS “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32 ESV
Pekin, IN. “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 New American Standard
Nancy Wright, Cazenovia, NY
“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.”
Ephesians 5:15-17 NASB
Cassandra Copeland, Burlington, Kentucky. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” āRomansā¬ ā6ā¬:ā23ā¬ NASB
Kathy, Birmingham, 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
Lynn Revette, Buckatunna, MS.
“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
The will soar on wings like eagles; they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:30-31 (NIV)
Jill Lyon, mobile AL: 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
Mason, Ohio
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty
Psalm 91:1
Ofelia, San Angelo, Tx
But thanks be to God who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. 2 Cor 3:14
New American Standard
Vicki, Apple Valley, MN: “āDo not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.ā Isaiah 41:10 NASB
Laura from Nacogdoches, Texas.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13 (NIV)
Angela, Ypsilanti, MI. “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:11 NIV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. Galatians 5:22 ESV
Ephesians 4:31-32
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Pat Westmoreland, Littlefield, Tx
“Incline your ear, and come to me: hear, that your soul may live: Isaiah 55:3a ESV
Gayle Polinsky, Old Bridge,NJ Peace I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give a the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV
Normal, IL
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
Michelle, Titus, Alabama. “My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:2 NIV
Gay Beck
Plain City, OH
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Heather, Tatum, Tx “Do not transform 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
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
Psalms 46:10 NIV
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Sioux Falls, SD
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, James 1:2 NIV
Tami R, Maple Valley, WA “Consider it pure joy, my bothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4, NIV
Sarasota, FL
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12
Do everything without grumbling or arguing. Philippians 2:14 NIV
Susan Wood – Akron, Ohio
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-12
Lynn, Lynchburg, VA
How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. (āPsalmsā¬ ā31ā¬:ā19ā¬ NLT)
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
āForget 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.”
Ashley Henderson, North Little Rock, Arkansas. “How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find youādonāt let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:9-11 NLT
The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest. (Exodus 14:14) Amplified
Shirley Rose Glisson, Auburn, Alabama
The Lord is my Light and my Salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strrength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1, NIV
Angie Shaffer Seymour TN
. āBut God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.ā Romans 5:8 NIV.
Julie, Waukesha, WI
āI am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Christine from Chatsworth, CA Hebrews 10:24 NIV “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”