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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For I always pray to God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation of insights into mysteries and secrets in the deep and intimate knowledge of Him. By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is Hus glorious inheritance in the Saints His set apart ones. And so that you can know and understand what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand in heavenly places.
Ephesians 1: 17-20
Ft Dauphin, Madagascar
“So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 ESV
Shirley Platt, College Station, Texas
“Now Listen, don’t miss a word…the kind is wild for you. Since He’s your Lord, Adore Him.” Psalm 45:10-11
Wendy Lounds, Kunming, China
“And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but I have not love, I am nothing.” I Cor. 13:2 ESV
Rachel Chard, Fort Wayne, IN. “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9 NLT
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you. Take your everyday, ordinary life, your sleeping,eating,going to work and walking around life–and place it before God as and offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t get so well adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, focus your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Romans 12:1 MSG
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NLT
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (â€Hebrews‬ â€4‬:â€15-16‬ NASB)
Beverly, Appling GA I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”” Phil 4:13 ESV
Kelli Hall ~ Sherwood, Oregon
“God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” Psalm 46:5 NIV
Nycole, Texas
Hosea 6:3 NIV
Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.
Angie Diemer, Battle Creek, Michigan: Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all the we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.. Ephesians 3:20 NKJV
Mary Beth Lassiter, Franklinton, NC
While from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears: “This is the way; walk in it,” when you would turn to the right or to the left. Isaiah 30:21 NAB
Christine Worley, Greenville, SC
“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”. Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
Margaret Mackey, Ellicott City, MD
“While from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears: ‘This is the way; walk in it,’ when you would turn to the right or to the left.” Isaiah 30:21 NAB
sherrylu~morganton,ga
now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever, amen. ephesians 3:20-21 nasb
Jordan French
Reidsville, NC
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.
Zephaniah 3:17
Melissa H. , Mendenhall, Mississippi
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”
– Hebrews 12:14 ESV
Lindsey from Little Rock
“I am my beloved’s, and his desire is towards me.”
Song of Solomon 7:10 NKJV
Pat, Brandon, Fl
1 Thessolonians 5:16-17 The Message
Be cheerful no matter what; Pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens.
Elizabeth, Lenoir, NC
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NKJV
Betsi Johnson, Dripping Springs, TX “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (â€Hebrews‬ â€4‬:â€12‬ ESV)
Stephanie Turner – Shreveport, La
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Ephesians 5:2 NLT
Sandra, Keller, TX
“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 the world.”
– John 16:33 NIV
Debbi Tank, Dallas, TX
Don’t be afraid for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Lori Thompson, McKinney, Tx, Galatians 5:1 NIV, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Carrie, St. Paul, MN – For this is what the master, the Lord, the Holy One of Israel says: “If you repented and patiently waited for me, you would be delivered; if you calmly trusted in me you would find strength, but you are unwilling.” Isaiah 30:15 NET
Sherry Williams, Canal Winchester Ohio, “The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with song I praise Him” Psalm 28:7 NIV
Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand, let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. KJV
Omak, Washington “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB
Kim Freeman, Fort Worth, 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. Jeremiah 29:11
Casey Hale, Roanoke, Texas
“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2, TLV
I found you Case!!!! It’s going to be fun going through this together – love ya!!!!
Robin Hendrickson, Hopkins, MN
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 5:13 NIV
Tonya Hamilton, North Richkand Hills, Texas
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (â€Romans‬ â€12‬:â€1‬ NIV)
Philippians 4:11-13 NIV
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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 all this through him who gives me strength.
Joelle, Abilene, TX
I pray that your love will overflow more and more,
and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.
â€Philippians‬ â€1‬:â€9‬ (NLT)
Beth, Sour Lake, TX
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. Psalm 1:1-2 NIV
Naomi, Colorado Springs, CO:
So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. Hebrews 12:12-13 NLT
Chris Aden, Somerset,KY. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mothers womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well
Sarah Lewan, Royal Oak, Michigan
“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16 NIV
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.
Psalm 30:11 ESV
Becky Stayton, Independence, MO
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God; in Him will I trust.
Psalm 91:2
Sarah Lewis, West Point, GA: “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 the world.”
John 16:33, NIV
Jennifer, Huntsville:
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13, World English Bible
Jan, Hillsboro, “You shall love the Lord Your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Matt 22:37, NIV
Teri Wymore ~ Millington, TN
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)
Kim Wallace, Mansfield TX
Be still and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Ps 46:10
New Living Translation
Michelle Murray, Paris, TN. Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises. Romans 15:4 (NLT).
The more I learn about God’s Word, the more I will see it alive and active in myself and my family.
Amanda Teske, Chandler AZ
For from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace.
John 1:16 ESV
Ephesians 4:2-3 (NIV)
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.