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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. Phil 4:13 -HCSB version
Starkville, Mississippi
Donna, Norwood, MA
Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (ESV)
Susan Abone, Germantown, TN
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:1 (NIV)
Rachel B., Crawfordsville IN
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV)
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
Tracy Omaha Nebraska Col 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since as members of one body you were called peace. And be thankful.
Holly Hawkins, Layton, UT
Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29
Sallye Barnes – Amarillo, TX
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26 NIV
Karen Smith – Jacksonville, AL
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NIV
Christie, Lexington, TN ” Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; how blessed are all those who long for him” Isaiah 30:18 NASB
Olympia, WA
2 Timothy 4:5 (NLT) But you should keep a clear mind in every sitiation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the good news, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
Debbie Lawson Hendersonville, TN “but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 ESV
Rachel-Houston, Texas: To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving an example, that you should follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21
Robyn Lawing, Texarkana Texas
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
Ephesians 4:29, New Kimg James version
I see it! Yay!
Carol S, Priceville AL
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.
Romans15:4 ESV
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4
Lara, Phoenix. Trust in the Lord and do good;dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture Psalms 37:3, NIV
Carrie Beth Davis from Baxley, Georgia
One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. (â€Psalm‬ â€27‬:â€4‬ NIV)
Kathy; Miamisburg,Ohio
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds;
Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads
Deuteronomy 11:18 NIV
Ruthie, San Antonio, Tx. And Gods peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 New Century Version
 “Daughter,” He said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” – Luke 8:48 HCSB Holman Christian Standard Bible
11 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
Kelley Guetz, Fort Collins, Colorado, “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” 1 Timothy 6:17 ESV
Sonya Matthews, Midlothian, TX
“And the Lord spoke to me, saying, you have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn North, ” Deuteronomy 2:2-3, NASB
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come ! 2 Corinthians 5:17
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come ! 2 Corinthians 5:17
Lynne VP Des Moines,Iowa Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the patterns 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.
Jan. 2, 2015
Sheila Coker, Franklin, Ga.
“The grass withers and the
flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.
Isaiah 40: 8 New International Version
Elise, Calgary, Alberta.
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 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 8:31,32 ESV
The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Psalm 147:11 (NIV)
Debra Morel, Houston, Texas … “Finally,, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” – Ephesians 4:8, ESV
Chelle Leininger, Hugoton, Kansas, Colossians 3:16, NIV
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Jennifer, Hattiesburg, MS. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his co passions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
Cindy Bingamon, Florissant Missouri. “Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. (â€Colossians‬ â€3‬:â€15-17‬ MSG)
Sheila Coker, Franklin, Ga.
“The grass withers and the
flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.
Isaiah 40: 8 New International Version
Wanda Watkins, Camano Island, WA “Not for us, O Lord, not for us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” Psalm 115:1 Life Application Bible NIV
Emily Tupta, San Diego, CA
Colossians 1:11 “May you be strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.” ESV
Jill Sciulli
Rancho Cucamonga,Ca
Psalm 37:5
Commit your way to the Lord;
Trust in him, and he will act.
Kandi Miller, Colton, SD; “having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints” Ephesians 1:18
Aimee Daugherty, Colorado Springs Co. 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
Brittany – Tacoma, Washington
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. (â€Proverbs‬ â€6‬:â€10-11‬ ESV)
Jeremiah 29:11-14 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
I will trust in you- you have never forsaken those who seek you! And we do seek you!
Psalms 9:9&10 KJV
Amy, Hood River, Oregon
The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.” Jeremiah 1:12, NIV
Search me, oh God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Psalms 139:23
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee or forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5 KJV
Sorry I’m late, just found out about this 🙂
Emily DuBose “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
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14
Randi, Roseburg, Oregon
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers they shall not overwhelm you, when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2 ESV.
Christina from Junction City, KS: 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. (â€Romans‬ â€15‬:â€13‬ NIV)
Caralina
Buwundo, Buikwe District, Uganda
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now, we call him, “Abba, Father.”
~Romans 8:15 (NLT)