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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Natalie – Chattanooga, TN
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; Trust in Him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” – Psalm 37:4-6
Leah, Fort Worth, TX
Joshua 24:15 KJV
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, chose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Stacey Doran Tunnel Hill, GA Jesus replied, “Love The Lord Your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. Matthew 22:37-38 NIV
Danielle, Plano, Tx
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (â€Philippians‬ â€4‬:â€6‬ NIV)
Nicole Nelson California, KY
But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.
Matthew 7:14New Living Translation (NLT)
Ali, Huron, Oh
She is clothed with strength and dignity; and she laughs without fear of the future. Prov 31:25 NLT
Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
Ps. 71:17
Suzi, Cleveland, TN: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Elizabeth, Ellijay, Ga
“…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so entanglesb. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our. Eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of our faith…” Hebrews 12:1b-2a NIV
Danielle, Shreveport, LA
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians‬ â€2‬:â€20‬ ESV
Carol Ann, Nevada
Isaiah 43:16-19
Thus says the Lord, Who makes a way through the sea And a path through the mighty waters, Who brings forth the chariot and the horse, the army and the mighty man (They will lie down together and not rise again; They have been quenched and extinguished like a wick): Do not call to mind the former things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware go it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.”
Christa, Denver, CO
May our sovereign God extend his favor to us! Make our endeavors successful! Yes, make them successful! Psalm 90:17 NET Bible
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 ESV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
NIV
Rachel Baltimore ,MD
“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 Jesus Christ.”
Romans 3:23-24 NIV
Steph Albritton, Springfield, Missouri
May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. (â€2 Thessalonians‬ â€3‬:â€5‬ NIV)
Carol Tippie
Cincinnati, Ohio
James 1:12-13 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. NASB
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.
1 John 1:5 NLT
Patty Pennington, Lexington KY. For it is written, “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16 NIV
Kimberly Moore Austin, TX
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 NIV
I’m Cheryl from Brimfield, IL. However, this week we are relocating, so my future posts will be from the UK! My verse is: “This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NLT
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel and there came in also a poor man in vile raiment,
James 2: 1,2 KJV
Annsley, Ida, LA
“…in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:6 NIV
All scripture is God -breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Psalm 125:1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
Laura in Gastonia, NC. “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Galations 5:16 KJV
For I know the thoughts I think toward you says the Lord,thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
NKJV
The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork. – Psalm 19:1 NKJV
Carla, Cherry Hill, NJ
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 New King James Version (NKJV)
Vonnie Myrick portland tx NIV version
Jeremiah 29:11. 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
Allison Hughes,Yazoo City, Mississippi
My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.
Psalm 78:1 NIV
Mary Gray, Fieldale, Virginia. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him”. Romans 8:28 NIV
Beth Anderson from Knoxville, TN
“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
Sarah Musser, Nashville, TN Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace ( the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. Hebrews 4:16 (Amplified)
Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel.
Ezra 7:10, HCSB
Allison Wallace, Brookhaven, MS
Attie
Fort Worth, Texas
Do everything in love.
1 Corinthians 16:14 NIV
Peggy Watson, Whitby, ONTARIO
“She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled. ” Luke 1: 45 HSBC
Danielle, Evansville, IN
“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.” NIV Romans 12:2
Romans 8:17 NLT
And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.
Laura, Atlanta, GA
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
James 1:2-3 ESV
Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
Psalm 46:10 NKJV
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” ~ Hebrews 12:11
CHARITY, ATLANTA,TEXAS
I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENS ME.
PHIL 4:13 .. KJV
Gail – Omaha, NE
Romans 8:17 NLT
And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians5:17
Melandie, Raleigh, NC
Behold, I will create a new heaven and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. Isaiah 65:17 (NIV)
Sharon, bahama NC
the steps of a good man are ordered by the lord and he delights in his way”. psalms 37:23. NKJV
Cyrena Lehman, Kettle Falls, Washington. “Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.” Deut. 30:11-14 NIV
Tammy, Noblesville IN
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,
Ephesians 1:18 (niv)
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,and make no provisions for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:14 ESV