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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He said, “Be Still and know I am God; I will exhaulted amoung the nations, I will be exhaulted in the earth:. Psalm 46:10
Elk Grove, Ca
But I’ll take the hand of those who don’t know the way,
who can’t see where they’re going.
I’ll be a personal guide to them,
directing them through unknown country.
I’ll be right there to show them what roads to take,
make sure they don’t fall into the ditch.
These are the things I’ll be doing for them—
sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute.” (Message)
Megan Delp, Barto, PA. “Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14
Christi Jacobs Marysville, Ohio
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth. Do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19 ESV
Isaiah 42:16
But I’ll take the hand of those who don’t know the way,
who can’t see where they’re going.
I’ll be a personal guide to them,
directing them through unknown country.
I’ll be right there to show them what roads to take,
make sure they don’t fall into the ditch.
These are the things I’ll be doing for them—
sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute.” (Message)
Kristin – University Place WA
John 8:36
If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Julie
Ft. Wayne
19 So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God,
Ephesians 2:19New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
Ann Medford, Sunset Texas
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”!
debra
ElDorado AR
Ps 91:1 NIV
He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the almighty!
Kirby Ray, Parsons, KS. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” I Corinthians 10:31
Michelle – Wisconsin
“And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 (NIV)
Santa Cruz, CA
My message and my teaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.
2 Cor. 2:4-5 NIV
Philippians 4:8 NLT
And now dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable, and right and pure, and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Tami Campbell, Willis, Texas “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ”
Ephesians 4:29-30 NASB
James 1:17 King James Version (KJV)
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Debi, San Ramon, CA
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.”
John 1:1-2 (NASB)
“The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest” (Exodus 14:14 AMP)
Jean Abilene, Tx Leviticus 20:26 You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own
Rebekah Warden
Dundee, IL
Lamentations 3:21-23 “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Becky Lowe, Fort Worth, Texas
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about him in all your ways, and he will guide you on the right paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6(HCSB)
Isaiah 43:1-3a NIV
But now, this is what the LORD says-he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Isreal: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Isreal, your Savior…”.
Bonnie Adler, Gibsonia PA
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. JOHN 15:7 ESV
Melissa Briggs, Brandon, Mississippi
Searched and searched for my post from Jan 1st- couldn’t find, so trying again 🙂
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
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 15:13 (NIV)
Karla, Margate FL
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” -Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV For the Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love. He will rejoice over you with singing.
Linda, Fort Collins, CO
Psalm 18:16 NIV
“He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
He drew me out of deep waters.”
Ashley from Nacogdoches, TX
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3 (NIV)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1Timothy 6:6-8
Karen E, Rochester, MN
My heart says, “Seek his face.” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Psalm 27:8 NIV84
Carolyn Dotts, Spruce Pine, NC
But those who WAIT for the Lord’d help find renewed strength; they rise up as if they had eagle’s wings, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired. Isaiah 40:31
My One Word for 2015 is WAIT!
John 14:27 Peace I leave you My peace I give to you. I do not give as the world give!!! praise god.
Dawn Tolley, Appomattox, VA “But you will not leave in haste or go in flight for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel willbe your rear guard.” Isaiah 52:12 (NIV)
Brooke, Ladson, SC, 1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT – The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
Liz, Bloomfield: “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make m joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose” (Philippians 2:1-2, NIV ’84).
Leah Mong, Flat Rock MI
“Faithful is HE who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:24
Linda Ahearn, Bossier City, LA “O LORD, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him?” Psalm 144:3
” My Health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.”
Psalm 73:26
Hagerstown, MD
Matthew 5:4 – Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted. KJV
Lana from Texas. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
Jamie Boyd, Moscow, ID: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ” Colossians 3:1
Rachel, Morganton, NC
We have different gifts according to the grace given to each of us.
Romans 12:6 NIV
Romina, Windsor. Ontario
“Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Phill 4:4-6 NLT
Greenville, SC
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 NLT
Penny Burke, Cincinnati, OH. :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 NIV
Laura Hill, Atlanta, GA, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will, ” Ephesians 1:3-5 NIV
Maggie L. Julian NC
“I will give thanks to the Lord due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the Name of the Lord, the Most High.” -Psalm 7:17 ESV
Lynn Fields, Erlanger, KY. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds. Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James1:2-3 NIV
Christina Hixson, New Boston, 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 (NIV)
Rebecca shingledecker,, Fort Worthv Texas
” how can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” Psalm 119:9