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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Angela Warsaw, IN
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
Gretchen Colorado Matthew 14:29
Matthew 25:35
English Standard Version (ESV)
35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
(Stephanie Marchbanks)
(From Ennis, Texas)
Michelle, St. Louis, MO “It [Grace] teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,” Titus 2:12 NIV
Susan Johnson, Prattville, Alabama. “Be still in the presence of The Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7 NLT
Amber Mull, Leland, North Carolina
“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
Christy Currey, Newnan, Georgia:
Romans 6:23Amplified Bible (AMP)
“For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 AMP
Jennifer Land, Smyrna, TN “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call on Me, and come, and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 NIV
Elizabeth-Kokomo, Indiana
“No one can please God without faith. Whoever goes to God must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” ~Hebrews 11:6 (NOG)
Jenny, Spring Hill, TN “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails”. Proverbs 21 NIV
Renea, Jasper, TX
Philippians 4:6 & 7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” NASB
The Lord redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:22
Debbie from Bossier City, Louisiana – “But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” Colossians 3:8 NIV
Christa Bell from Waldron, AR “Lord my God, You have done many things — Your wonderful works and Your plans for us; none can compare with You. If I were to report and speak ⌊of them⌋, they are more than can be told. (â€Psalms‬ â€40‬:â€5‬ HCSB)”
Melissa Neeley, Hendersonville, TN
Keep me safe, O God, I’ve run for dear life to you. I say to God, “Be my Lord!” Without you, nothing makes sense. Psalm 16:1 (The Message)
Nell chattanooga ten. shout for joy to the lord all the earth. Worship the lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Psalms 100;1. Niv
I Corinthians 1:30. NIV
It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is , our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.
Andrea
Berkeley Springs, WV
Becky, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta.
Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:19-21
If you do well will you not be accepted? If you do not do well, sin crouches at your door, its desire is for you; but you MUST master it. Genesis 4:7 Amplified version
He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.
Ps 18:19 NIV
Bethany, Overland Park, KS
Nan, Coppell, Tx
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (â€1 Peter‬ â€5‬:â€6-7‬ NIV)
Jesus said unto them, “Thou shalt love the Lord your God with all thy heart, soul and mind. This is the first and great commandment. “. Matt. 22:37-38
Marvella Schuessler, Chesterfield, MO “But God is so rich in mercy and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.” Ephesians 2:4~5 NLT
Jamie Ballou
Corbin,ky
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (â€Luke‬ â€1‬:â€45‬ NIV)
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I meet with God? Psalm 42:1-2
Janice Beeker, Pembroke Pines, FL
But Jesus said, “it should be done. For we MUST carry out ALL that God requires. So John agreed to baptize him.” Matthew 3:15 NLT
Toni Sidler, Argyle, TX
Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord, apart from you I have no good thing.” Psalm 16:1-2, NIV
Phyllis from Gilmer, Tx
Isaiah 42:3, Matthew 12:20 NIV
“A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not snuff out”
Meagan Nice, Schwenksville PA
“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.” NIV
Winston-Salem, NC
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. (â€Philippians‬ â€3‬:â€13-14‬ NIV)
Cathy, Lincoln, Nebraska
“Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.”
Psalm 105:4, NIV
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Rachel; Kendallville, IN; It is in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Ephesians 1:11 (MSG)
Rachel Dowling, Tinton Falls, NJ: 2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.” ESV
Lisa, Charlotte, NC. Jeremiah 15:9 NLT – If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman.
Elyria, Ohio, “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple.” Psalm 27:4 NIV
Colette Graston Seminole,FL
So you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the house of God. ESV
“But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you.” So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can live in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NCV)
Mary Evans, Midlothian, VA “You are saved by God’s grace because of your faith. This salvation is God’s gift. It’s not something you possessed. It’s not something you did that you can be proud of.” CEB
“Wees vastberaden en standvastig, laat je door niets weerhouden of ontmoedigen, want waar je ook gaat de Heer je God, staat je bij”. Jozua 1:9 (NBV)
Gretha Kiewiet, Klarenbeek, The Netherlands (Europe)
Amy, Midlothian Va: she opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teachings of kindness on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26 ESV
Alicia. Chicago, il. “you are worried & upset about many things, but only ONE THING is needed.” Luke 10:41 niv
Mary Conrad – Byron Center, Michigan
Philippians 2:13 NLT
For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey Him and the power to do what pleases Him.
Sharon Barnard, Fort Worth, Texas, Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away, behold, new things have come, 2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB
Carmen, Summersville, WV “You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” -Psalm 18:28 NIV
Teri Trimble, Durant, Florida
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.” NIV
Jill Hill, Houston, TX
Galatians 5:13 NIV “You my brothers and sisters were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
Dianne Houston,Tx. “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” Matthew 6:34 NAS
Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalm 37:4 (KJV)
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Prov. 19:21 NIV