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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vikki Stemler, Jeffersonville, Indiana
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.” Galatians 5:24 NLT
Ainslie Tinsley, Columbia, SC
“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;” Psalm‬ â€37‬:â€1‬ NIV
Kelly, Eupora, MS
“I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.” Job 23:12 NIV
Jan Picerno, West End, NC – “The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will bring you quietness with His love. He will delight in you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:17 HCSB
June, Little Rock, Ark.
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5 (ESV)
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. NIV
Linda Johnson, Sherman, Texas 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)
Helen Davidson, Woodbury MN: “I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NIV
Val Golden, Gallatin, TN “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)and find out what pleases the Lord.” Ephesians 5:8-10 NIV
Jillian, louisville ky – Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, to those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father, and kept by Jesus Christ: Jude 1 NIV
Teresa Maldonado, Austin, TX
Psalm 25:4-5 NLT
Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (NIV)
Patti White, Warrensburg, Missouri “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for The Lord holds them by the hand.” Psalms 37:23,24 NLT
Donna Richmond , Bondsville, NE Arkansas, “Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgements he uttered” 1 Chronicles 16:12 ESV
I tell you, on the day of judgement people will give account for every careless word they speak. Matthew 12:36 ESV
Susan
Oak Ridge, TN
When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Revelations 8:1
Kimberly, Moro, Illinois “This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 A new year. A new day. A new beginning honoring Jesus Christ and Blessing God’s name through his Son Jesus.
Marilyn Thompson, Muskego, WI. “Kindness to the poor is a loan to the Lord, and He will give a reward to the lender.” Proverbs 19:17 HCSB
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (â€Matthew‬ â€11‬:â€28-30‬ MSG)
Janet Allen, Birmingham, Ala
For The Lord shall be thy confidence,and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Proverbs 3:26 Kings James Study Bible
“I have said these things to you,that in ME you may have peace.In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart:I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Kristi Dye, Edmond, OK, “Finally, brothers, 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.” Phil 4:8, NIV
Megan, Louisville, KY
Seek his will in all you do and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:6, NLT.
Cheryl Adams
Hephzibah, Ga
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy! Psalm 126:3 NIV
“Be humble in the presence of God’s mighty power, and He will honor you when the time comes.” 1 Peter 5:6
Kelsey – Des Moines, IA
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” John 15:1 ESV
Shawna Blissett, Longview, Texas “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (â€Colossians‬ â€2‬:â€6-7‬ NIV)
Kathryn Willoughby, Baltimore, MD “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27 ESV
Angela Thornberry, Harvest, AL Hebrews 10: 24-25 NIV And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
Romans 5:3-4
Make them holy by your word; teach them by your word; which is truth.
John 17:17 NLT
Amy Dugger Abilene, TX
“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”
Psalm 86:11 ESV
Kyndra Brown, St. Charles, MO “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the of my life; Whom shall I dread?” Psalm 27:1 NASB
Even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as brithg as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.
Psalm 139:12 MASB
Baili Rhodes, College Station, TX
May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.” Colossians 1:11 ESV
Kristin Colford, Ft. Laud, FL
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. Isa 43:2 NKJV
Christine Lennon Lake Placid, New York. Jeremiah 33:6 “Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.” NIV
Sarah, Istanbul, “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.” Philippians 4:8 ESV
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
For the LORD your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With His love, He will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
Sherry, Windsor, CA “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 entrust my life.” Psalm 143:8 NIV
Leona, Fort Langley, BC – “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Galatians 5:16 NIV
Sarah Jorden, Tyler, Texas
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV
Rachael Minor, Jackson, MS
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (NASB)
Iron River, Michigan
BJJ from Republic,MO
I urge you therefore, brothers and sisters, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice–holy, acceptable to G-d– which is your spiritual service. Romans 12:1 TLV
Carol from Mesa, AZ:
Isaiah 43:19 HCSB
Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.
Alston, Columbia, SC “Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path.” Psalm 27:11a
Shari Arkills from Buckeye, AZ “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3, 4 ESV
Niki Mull, Leland, NC
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
Hebrew 10;23
Betsy Amato, Polk City, iA
Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know. Jeremiah 33.3