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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sherry, London, Ontario Canada; Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
1 Peter 2:12 NIV
“Most certainly, I tell you, he who believes in me has eternal life.” John 6:47
Jennifer Houston, TX “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 NIV
Theresa Bradford – Pace, Florida
EPHESIANS 3:20 (NIV)
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to his power the that is at work within us.
Jamie, Crossett, AR
“So therefore you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household.” Ephesians 2:19 NASB
Karen, Crossville/Fairfield Glade, TN
Isaiah 43:19. NKJV
Behold, I will make a new thing, It shall spring forth, shall you not see it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
I posted in the wrong place earlier…..
Diane Strandlund, Bethel, MN
Ephesians 1:11 Message
It is in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.
Suzanne Waters, Sylvania Georgia
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.” Hebrews 13:5 ESV
Monica Hall, Oklahoma City, OK “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 NLT
Joyce Broughman, Orlando, FL
Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
2 Corinthians 5:1
Lori from Anchorage,AK
“Teach me knowledge and good judgement, for I believe in your commands”
Psalm 119:66 NIV
Stacey Flynn from Charleston, SC
Ephesians 6:11 NIV
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Brittany Alligood Nashville, GA
For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give his life as a ransom to many. Mark 10:45 niv
And because you are sons, God has sent forth the spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Galatians 4:6
Margie, San Angelo, Tx, John 1:1 NIV
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Celina, Decatur, TX. “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know me and believe me and understand that I am He.” Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. Isaiah 43:10 NIV (Ready to believe him.) đ
Mary, Westfield, NJ
Psalm 119:28 (NIV)
My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
Terri Chase, La Mesa, CA. “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.” Rom 15:13 NIV
Leah from Goshen, IN
2:47pm EST
Hebrews 4:16, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (NIV)
I want to know Christâyes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,Philippians 3:10 NIV
Ephesians 2:13 ESV But now in Christ Jesus dyou who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ
Pam Johnson, Kansas City, Kansas. “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.” Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
Sharon Cox, Aransas Pass, Texas
Psalm 86:11 teach me your way, Lord that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. (NIV)
Tajuana ~ Texas
“Then you will know the truth, and
the truth will set you free.”
John 8:32 NIV
Sarah House, Columbus, OH “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” Philippians 2:14-16
God will finish the work He began in you (Philippians 1:6). NIV
Ephesians 2:10 NLT
For we are God’ masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Carla Bakker, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands (Europe).
‘Loof de God van de hemel, want Zijn goedertierenheid is voor eeuwig’. Psalm 136:26, HSV
Libby
Dallas TX
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you
therefore He will rise up to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for Him.
Isaiah 30:18 NIV
Ashley Scott
Fort Worth, Texas
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be dismayed, for the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Cathey Crocker, Houston Texas
Romans 12:2 NIV
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Laurie, Loganville, Georgia
“Glorify the Lord with me;let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:3 NIV
Sarah-Elaine Jarrett, Huntington, WV
Proverbs 3:5 KJV
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Deborah Tanner, Groesbeck,TX
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, âchildren of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.â Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
Psalm 105:4 niv
North Richland Hills, TX
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (â1 Corinthians⏠â10âŹ:â13⏠NIV)
Viki Chaffee Hanke, Newport News, VA “Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19 NASB)
Ricki Gooch, Springtown, TX
Joel 2:25
God can restore what is broken and change it into something amazing. All you need is faith.
April Simser, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
“…the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.”
1 Peter 1:24b-25 NIV
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:36, NIV
MaryAnne Haskell, Dale City, VA
Psalm 22:9-10 (NKJ)
(9) “But You are He who took Me out of the womb;
You made Me trust while on My motherâs breasts. (10) I was cast upon You from birth. From My motherâs womb You have been My God.
Karin from Clinton, NJ
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Peter 4:8 NIV
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.
Heather-
Birmingham, AL
“For from His fullness, we have all received grace upon grace.”
John 1:16
ESV
Toni Martin, Stillwater, OK 2 Thessalonians 2:16 NIV
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O Lord my stength and my redeamer. KJV
Memorizing with my 15 year old daughter. đ
Laura Holifield, Pineville, Louisiana.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13, ESV
Perkinston, MS
Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.
Proverbs 17:6 NIV
Crystal in Colorado Springs, CO
Romans 12:2 NIV
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Donna Vaughn, Paris, TN
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making all things new”,also he said, “write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true”. Revelations 21:5 ESV