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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Carol, Sewickley, PA. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome this world. John 16:33 NIV
who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person,and upholding all things by the word of His power,when He had by Himself purged our sins sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Heb 1:3 NKJV
Heather Nicole, Kenosha, WI
“Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT
Hetty Wolthuis, the Netherlands, Amsterdam
Jozua 1:9
Ik gebied je dus: wees vastberaden en standvastig, laat je door niets weerhouden of ontmoedigen, want waar je ook gaat, de Heer, je God, staat je bij. (NBG, de nieuwe vertaling)
Daarom zeg ik nog een keer: Je moet sterk en dapper zijn. Je hoeft nergens bang voor te zijn. Wnat ik ben je God. Ik ben altijd bij je. waar je ook heen gaat.(Bijbel in Gewone Taal)
Julie from Charleston, SC “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” ESV
Melody, Yorktown, VA
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV
Pat Decker, Redding, California God is our strength an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 NIV
Anne-Marie from Munich-Germany:
“9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10 from NIV UK
Linda Page Gallatin,Tn
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and membe t s of the household of God. Ephesians 2:19 ESV
New in Gallatin and LongHollow Baptist church, this verse spoke to me.
“For you know that when your faith is tested your endurance has a chance to grow.”-James 1:3 NLT
Nikki Weikel, Jacksonville, NC “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Prov.21:25,26 ESV
MaryJo * Plainfield, Indiana
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)
Harmony Goddard, Moncton, NB. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NLT
Sunet de Klerk, Potchefstroom, South Africa. “For He Himself is our peace.” Ephesians 2:14
Amy Lawson, Margate, FL
“Let all you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14 NASB
Karen Walker, Calgary, Alberta:
For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€19‬ NLT)
Remember ye not the former things, neither the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Janine Wasson of Taylorsville,ky
1John 5:15 of the ESV….”And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.”
Kim Morgan, Mansfield, OH
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7 NIV
Proverbs 16:9
In his heart a man may plan his course but the Lord will direct his steps. NIV
Terri Martin, Nacogdoches, Texas. Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19. (KJV).
Cindy Joseph, Reynoldsburg, Ohio. “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.”
Tina Denyse, Phoenix, AZ
Do 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.
Isaiah 41:10 NASB
Alison from Scotland. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you and watch over you.” Psalm 32 v 8 NIV
I sought The Lord and He answered me. He delivered me from all my fears. Psalms 34:4 (NKJ)
Trying this again… Psalm 91:4 from NIV-UK “He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge. His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
Tonya Wright Cumming, Ga
From everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’is children. Psalm 103:17 NIV
Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.
John 1:16
Angie Gallant, Moncton New Brunswick, “Yes, I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. ” John 15:5, NLT
Sheryl, Rocky Mount, NC
“In conclusion, be strong in the Lord (be empowered through your union with Him); draw strength from Him (that strenghth which His boundless might provides).”
Ephesians 6:10 Amplified
1 Tim 4: 6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.
Seminole,Florida sends warm wishes for the New Year
God did not give us a spirit of timidity,but a spirit of power,of love and self discipline. 2 Tim 1:17
Sharon, Los Angeles, CA
“The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zeph. 3:17 NKJV
Jennifer Glaze
Pe Ell, Washington
He brought me to the banqueting house,
And His banner over me was love.
~Song of Solomon 2:4 New King James version
Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
Psalm 5:12
Louise Cason, Bloemfontein, RSA. “The Lord says, “I love justice and I hate oppression and crime. I will faithfully reward my people and make an eternal covenant with them.” Why? Isaiah 61 is Word given to me by Father God for this season.
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the savior, the Lord Jesue Christ. Philippians 3:20 NKJV
Tracey Morrison, Margaree Valley, Nova Scotia
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
Shannon from Rogers, AR
Psalm 51:10-12 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” ESV
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever amen! 2 Peter 3:18
Psalm 28:7 – The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him – NIV
Kathy Brabson Austin, Texas 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God endures forever.” Isaiah 40:8
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform 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 12:1-2 NIV(1984)
Marla Ritter, Benton, AR. In the battle for control of my thoughts, I’m going to remember that “Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in Him.” Psalm 32:10 NIV
Sylvia, Madill, OK
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24 ESV
Stephanie Parson
Winder, Ga
Luke 1:45 ESV
Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.
Jen Lindblad, Spencer NY, 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
Ann Wellmann, Lino Lakes, MN
“that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him” Ephesians 1:17, ESV
Dianne, Clinton, MS – “I lift my eyes to the hills – from where will my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 NRSV
Bremen, IN
So 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. Is.41:10 NIV