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) 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:
Your name, city, verse (written all the way out), reference, and translation.
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lisa from Waycross, GA
Donna from Albany, GA
“Lord, You have been our dwelling place and our refuge in all generations.”
Psalm 90:1 (AMP)
When I am afraif, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3
Georgetown, Ky. Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. (Ephesians 5:1 NLT)
Dana Z, Montgomery Village, MD
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Diana Wynn, Locust Grove GA
“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.” Isaiah 43:19 NLT
Sara Soltis, Genoa, Ohio.
“Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth. Grant me purity of heart that I may honor you.” Psalm 86:11
Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32 NIV
Janelle Vignery- Harrisonville, Missouri
‘God is my rocky summit where I take shelter, My shield, the horn that saves me, my stronghold, my refuge, my Saviour. You save me from Violence.” 2 Sam 22:3 NET
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:21 NIV
I Peter 4:11 “if anyone speaks he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves he should do it with the strength God provides, so that all things God may be praised through JESUS Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
I should always wait and pray before speaking, allowing God to use my mouth and no my own words, and in serving, if i do it with Gods strength, NOT my own, then HE will be glorified.
“for the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable” Romans 11:29 NASB
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by steams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Psalm 1:2-3 NIV
Kristy Brown, Cartersville GA “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the was God. John 1:1 HCSB
Sandy Jacobs, Belleville, MI “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry…”. I Samuel 15:23, KJV
Cincinnati, Ohio
“The Lord bless you and keep you” Numbers 6:24 NIV
Kerri Eyler, Woodsboro, MD
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry. Whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13 NIV
Liz D’Angelo, New City, NY
Isaiah 41:10
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16 NIV)
Jerrie Reynolds – Longview,TX
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Matthew 26:41 (NIV)
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 ESV
Beth Howard~Gillette, Wyoming.
Psalm 23:3 “He guides me along the right paths for his Name’s sake.”
Sharon Summers, Kokomo, IN “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Heb 4:16 NLT
Sue, Kingsport, Tennessee. “My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, for they will refresh your soul.” Proverbs 3:21-22a NLT
12 I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness,
and you will harvest a crop of love.
Plow up the hard ground of your hearts,
for now is the time to seek the Lord,
that he may come
and shower righteousness upon you.’Hosea 10:12 NLT
Sancee Christenson, Citrus Hieghts, California “For the Lord is good; His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalm 100:5 NLT
Joan – Fredericktown, OH
“surely, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
Isaiah 12:2-3 NiV
Ranne Hammes, Johns Island, SC
“The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.” Psalm 16:6 NAS
Cathi Blate, North Canton, OH
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares The Lord, plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come to pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me, and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares The Lord, and bring you back from captivity.”
Jeremiah 29:11-first part of 14
Ann Steiner, Odessa FL -“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory and the lifter of my head.” Psalm 3:3
I love your inspiring words. you have brought me moments of tears and moments of joy. thank u!
“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. Then you will call upon me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and I will bring you back from captivity…” Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV
Eva Whittington in Amarillo Texas
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. (Proverbs 31:26 NIV)
Peggy – Warsaw, IN – “Honor the Lord! You are his special people. No one who honors the Lord will ever be in need.” Psalm 34:9 – CEV
The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
Ex 15:2 KJV
“And he said unto them, this kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” Mark 9:29 King James
Linda Hunter, Lumberton, TX “for those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint ” Isaiah 40:31 NLT
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 NIV
Liz Fischer, South Lyon, MI “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 NIV
KC Hicks, Greenville SC “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 a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
3 But You, O LORD , are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. 4 I was crying to the LORD with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah. 5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me round about. Psalm 3:3-6 NAS
Turkesshia Moore, Greensboro, NC
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11 KJV
Hebrews 12:1-2 New Living Translation (NLT)
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
Source: Biblegateway.com
Revelation 12:11
And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death
Isaiah 55:12
For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hill will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands
Linda Shaffer, Carrollton, Texas
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel. Ephesians 6:19
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so they you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God. Phil1:9-11 NIV
Betsy from Westerville, Ohio
John 14:27 NIV
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Jane Swanquist, Lagro, Indiana For the word of God is living 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 NIV
Barbara Russ, North Little Rock, “But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purpose of his heart through all generations.” Psalm 33:11 NIV
Vero Beach, FL. 1Peter 5:5-7,
“… All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one anotber, because,
“God oppose the proud
But gives grace to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s might hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast ALL your anxiety on Him because He cares for you (me).”
Stacy Waechter from Eden, Tx.
“I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer” Psalm 17:6 NIV