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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tricia Bethany, Meridian, MS. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
Kelley Wood, Houston, TX
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 (NKJV)
Lisa Boonyasith, Grand Rapids MI. – ” Now to the one who works, pay is not considered as a gift, but as something owed. But to the one who does not work, but believes on Him who declares the the ungodly to be righteous, his faith is credited for righteousness.”
Romans 4:4-5 HCSB
Tanya Augsburger, Bluffton, OH “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 NLT
mitzi, Brandon, Ms
Look to The Lord & His strength, seek His face always.
Psalm 105:4 NIV
Lori Goodwin, Edenton, NC “So, my dear brothers and sistahs, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT
Lauren Sampsell from Nashville, TN “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord shines over you.” Isaiah 60:1 HCSB
Tamela, White Hall, AR. “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
Kathy Kaherl, Burlington CT. “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 NIV
Sarah Leming, Johns Creek, GA “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.” (NIV)
Jen Heitshusen, Houston TX
This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. 1John 1:5 NIV
Centerburg oh Ephesians 1:17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better
Angie Call. Belleville, IL
“But thanks be to God, who gave us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
– 1 Cor. 15:57 ESV (English Standard Version)
He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. Psalms 21:23 NIV
Sandra, O’Fallon, IL, “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)
“so now, faith, hope, and love remain, these three. But the greatest of these is love.” 1Cor. 13:13
Bethann, Rochester hills, MI, “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” Prov. 16:24 ESV
Christene from Pittsboro NC: Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:26 ESV
Denise Beam Greer,SC. “For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.” Ezra 7:10 NASB
Shaela Savage, Belmont, NH~
“Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for your life.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16~18 NIV
Lapenta , New Palestine , Indiana
Luke 2:10-and the Angel said to them , Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people
Anita Absher, Granbury, TX
They will bear fruit in old age,
They will stay fresh and green,
Proclaiming the LORD is upright;
He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.
Psalm 92:14-15 NIV
Michelle Lawrence, Newport News, VA “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” Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV
Milošću ste spaseni, verom nije odvas, dar je Boši. Efisima 2:8
Mandy Alexander, Belgrade, Serbia
Pam Frazier, Lawrenceville, GA – “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Tanja Jameson, Little Rock, AR “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
Courtney, Houston, TX “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which GOD prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Christy-Lithia,Fl
Romans 12:2
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, perfect will!
Galatians 6:9~Do not be weary I well doing,for in due time, you will reap a harvest if, you do not faint.
Psalm 46:10 – ” Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”
Jane Moore, Nashville, TN If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. James 1:26 NIV
Shannon Hyman, Glen Allen VA “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.” Proverbs 29:25 NIV
Tracy Cunningham, San Antonio, TX
“For every promise from God shall surely come true.” Luke 1:37 TLB
Psalm 66:18, NIV “If I had cherished sin in my heart, The Lord would not have heard.”
1 Peter 5:6 NKJV Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of god, that He may exalt you in due time.
Theresa Villazon, Riverview, FL –
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. (â€Romans‬ â€12‬:â€2‬ HCSB)
Kimberly Jones, Carlisle, PA
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. Isaiah 41:10
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. – Ephesians 2:10 NLT
“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
“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” Psalm 46:10 NIV
Sophie Bryant, Esperance,Western Australia.”All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” Psalm 139. 16 NIV.
Would there be another post or forum where we can share how God is working in what we are memorizing? It has been an awesome 2 days and God has been speaking loudly through the verse I am working with. Thank you!
Nichole Peters, Caneyville, KY
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2 ESV
Alicia Keys, Walhalla, SC Romans 8:5 NIV
“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”
Calida Statham, Byron, Georgia. “Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:” Matthew 7:7 KJV
Cindy Burdine, Magnolia, AR
You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.
Job 11:18 NIV
Cheryl in Fairhope. AL –
“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” (Isaiah 43:25) NIV
Ps.119:10
I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
Jenny, Greenville, SC – “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15 NIV
Linda Allen-Silverlake, WA
Praise be to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:8 NIV