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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jen, Airdrie, AB “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” Romans 8:28
“Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all”. 1 Timothy 4:15 NASB
Ronda McMann, Houston, TX. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Col 3:23-24 NIV
Thank you Jesus
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
II Corinthians 10:4
Roxie, MacGregor, Manitoba, Canada “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” 2 Cor. 1:21&22
Kim Davis, Savannah TX- “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 ESV
Diane Thompson Sunray,TX
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
Natalie, Jonesboro, AR
All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful, All things are lawful, but not all things build up. 1 Corinthians 10:23 ESV
Robin Sandlin, Denver City, Tx , I know the plans I have for
you delcares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you.
Plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Mary, Broken Arrow OK
God teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course.
Psalms 119:33 The Message
(Re-post could not find original)
Brandee Holland, Dawsonville, GA
Likewise I, God, will comfort Zion, comfort all her mounds of ruins. I’ll transform her dead ground into Eden, her moonscape into the garden of God, A place filled with exuberance and laughter, thankful voices and melodic songs. Isaiah 51:3 Message
“Yet faith comes from listening to this Good News — the Good News about Christ.” Romans 10:17 (Living)
Kimberly Moore, Peyton, Colorado – “Trust God from the bottom of your heart.” Proverbs 3:5 MSG
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
Jeannie Holden Dexter mo
“I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
Tracy McCabe, Saratoga Springs, NY
“*but I will focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:13b-14 NLT
Aletha Beavercreek oh Isaiah 41:10 esv “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Cindy [email protected] Boise Idaho, Psalm 62:8 “Trust in Him at all times you people; pour out you heart the before Him; God is a refuge for us.” NKJV
John 14:27 “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.”
Morgan Roberts, Brandon, MS. “For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,” (Romans 6:5)
Martha, Georgetown, TX “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Kristin, Houston, Texas- “Let all you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14 NASB
Hilary, Olathe, KS Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Dana Daugherty, Cedarcreek, Missouri
..for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. ROMANS 3:23-24 NIV
Shayla Kelley, Bentonville, AR: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. -2 Corinthians 4:16-17, NIV
KathyInAZ from Chandler, AZ “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” I Peter 1:13 NIV
“These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.” Deut.6:6 ESV
Sheri Jones, Palm Harbor, FL ~ Isaiah 48:17, “This is what the LORD says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.'”
Colossians 4:6 NIV
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Diane Jackson, Wood River, IL “We love Him, because He first loved us.” I John 4:19 KJV
Janet S., Holmes Beach, FL
But one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind
I press toward the goal
for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV
Lee Bailey, Argyle, Texas
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord and not for men. Colossians 3:23 NKJV
Christine Jolink, Houston. “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
Katherine Elliott, Lawndale, North Carolina
“But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.” Psalm 5:11 KJV
He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. Psalm 107:14
Michelle, Mosinee, WI
For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things.
Psalm 107:9
Janet Burlew, Lexington, Kentucky, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” … Romans 8:38-39, NIV Study Bible.
Colleen Hildeburn, Orinda CA. “Forget the former things! Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Marilyn Jeffers, Freeland, Washington “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:4-7 NIV
Becky Cheryl from Middletown, PA. I am reposting this because I posted it yesterday under the instruction site… Exodus 15:26 (NIV)
26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
“Training the body has some value. But being godly has value in every way.” 1 Timothy 4:8a NIrV
Stacey Reaves. Sumter, SC. “Your word I have hidden (‘treasured’– New American Standard Bible) in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11. NIV
Cassie Davis, Ocala, FL
Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. (â€Psalm‬ â€119‬:â€165‬ ESV)
Crystal, Chandler, AZ
Psalm 104:1 NLT
Praise the Lord, I tell myself; O Lord my God, how great You are! You are robed with honor and majesty.
Psalm 33:3
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
Elizabeth, Fayetteville AR
We are praying, too, that you will be filled with his mighty, glorious strength so that you can keep going, no matter what happens – always full of the joy of the Lord. Colossians 1:11
Stacey Kostas, Flower Mound, TX – “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 come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
Sherri, Marietta, GA: “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing, now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”
Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV
Isha Boyd-Mayes Missouri City, Tx…We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ; 1Corinthians 10:5 ESV