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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Danielle Wilbur, Clifton, VA
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:26 NIV
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 (KJV)
He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. Ps 147:3(NIV)
“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”
I Corinthians 13:2 NKJV
Emily from Clarksburg,WV. Romans 8:31-39 NLT
31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”[a]) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Abby M., Memphis, TN
James 1:27 (NASB) – “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”
JulieAnn, Waconia MN
“…But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.”
2 Timothy 1:12 ESV
Lauri Johnson, Minneapolis, MN
Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
Psalms 27:13-14 NLT
Kim C from Franklinton, LA
Jeremiah 29:11 NIrV
“I know the plans I have for you,” announces the LORD. “I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come.”
For SSMT
cindy rising sun ,in
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8 NLT)
Heather Papay – Highlands Ranch, CO
“…if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.”
Isaiah 58:10 NIV
Shelby, Woodstock GA
When you look for me, you will find me. When you wholeheartedly seek me, I will let you find me, declares Yahweh. Jeremiah 29:13-14a
Elizabeth from Hendersonville, TN: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV
Kelly Baumer Ludlow, KY
January 3, 2015 12:15 am
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God
Phillipines 4:6 NIV
Stacy Ward, Nashville, TN. “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom. ” Psalms 90:12 NIV
India Williams, Indianapolis, Indiana “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 NKJV
Kelli
Lafayette, IN
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
“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.” Philippians 1:6
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly. John 10:10. NKJV
My flesh and my heart may fail,but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 NIV
Karen Birkenholz, Oklahoma City, The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deut 31:8 NIV
Ranessa Jones, Bloomington, IL
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. NIV
May the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Colossians 3:16
(this year and the rest to come)
Caty Gonzales
New Orleans, LA
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
But 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.
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Chris Bradbury, Greeley, CO
‘Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always’. Psalm 105:4 (NIV)
Tina Becnel, Vacherie, La : Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness
because of my enemies;
make your way straight before me. Psa 5:8-9 ESV
Mindy Drumright, Wichita, KS “Let no harmful word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for building others up according to the need, so that it gives grace to those who hear it.” Eph 4:29 (TLV)
Pam Sue, Spring, TX
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
â€2 Timothy‬ â€1‬:â€7‬ (NIV)
Kimberly Taghon. Columbus, Georgia. “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14. ESV
Brandi from Midland, TX
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phil. 4:6
Amy Roberts, Corona, CA:
“But 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 grow faint.”
Isiah 40:31 NIV
Macki Smith – Starkville, MS
Romans 6:5-7 NASB
“For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection”
Andria
Clarksville, TN
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
One Lord, one Faith, one baptism; Ephesians 4:5. NIV. This is what binds us together!
Karyn, Castle Rock, CO. Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 KJV
Stephanie- Alma, GA- John 1:16(NIV) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
Lisa Walters Brown, Goldthwaite, TX
Mauri Sparks, Queen City, TX
4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.”… 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone…. 10 and the breath came into them, and they lived… (â€Ezekiel‬ â€37‬:â€4-5, 7 & 10‬ ESV)
Theresa Todd, Columbus, OH But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1Peter 2:9 (NIV 1984)
“I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
3 John 1:4 (NRSV)
Nikki, Ojai, CA. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul,
firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the
curtain…” Hebrews 6:19 NIV
Brenda, Apollo Beach, FL
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God.
Phillipiano 4:6 ESV
Lena Harris, Shreveport, Louisiana–Proverbs 29:11 NIV A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
Beth from Houston
Hebrews 12:14 ESV
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Lisa Oden, Little Rock, Arkansas
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” Psalm 37:5, ESV
Hayley Warren, Seymour, TX
My brothers and sisters, do not show prejudice if you possess faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. For if someone comes into your assembly wearing a gold ring and fine clothing, and a poor person enters in filthy clothes, do you pay attention to the one who is finely dressed and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and to the poor person, “You stand over there,” or “Sit on the floor”? If so, have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil motives? Listen, my dear brothers and sisters! Did not God choose the poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor! Are not the rich oppressing you and dragging you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme the good name of the one you belong to? But if you fulfill the royal law as expressed in this scripture, “ You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show prejudice, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as violators. For the one who obeys the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, “ Do not commit adultery,” also said, “ Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a violator of the law. Speak and act as those who will be judged by a law that gives freedom. For judgment is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over judgment. (â€James‬ â€2‬:â€1-13‬ NET)
Neece, Madison, MS
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (â€Psalm‬ â€25‬:â€5‬ NIV)
Camille, Virginia Beach
Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28New International Version (NIV)