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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brenda Jochum, Kearney, Nebraska. “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NIV
Kate Horn-Murphy, Thornton, Colorado
Lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus.
Hebrews 12: 1 – 2 New King James Version
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 17:27 NIV
“Because he loves me” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.” Psalm 91:14 NIV
Brittany – Harrisonburg, VA
“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.” – Philippians 4:8 NLT
Peggy Rush, Independence, MO, “But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!” 2 Chronicles 6:18 NKJV
Christine, Camino, CA
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28 NKJV
Jodi, Enumclaw, WA
“Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.” Romans 12:12
Grand Prairie, 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.” ESV
Krista L. Allison, Canton, 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
Psalms 145:2,3 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. NIV
Alaina – Pittsburgh, PA
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called – his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
Ephesians 1:18 NLT
Cathy Blake Edgar Springs Missouri
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 NKJ
Rebecca, Colorado Springs, CO
Be strong, all of you who put your hope in the Lord. Never give up.
Psalm 31:24
Megan Cole, Sherwood Oregon –
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Debbie from Friedens ,Pa
2 Corintians 5:17 Thereo,if any of you is in Christ, He is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come. Happy New Year!
Psalm 119:10 (NASB95)
10 With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
Lisa Stone, Houston, TX “Now it is God who makes both of us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NIV
Tamara Henderson; Gardendale, Alabama. “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV
Alexa Landrum, Kansas City, MO
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
-1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all He has done. Philippians 4:6
This verse tells us that instead of worrying, we should pray and tell God our troubles. We also need to thank him for everything he has done for us.
Quinnie Blizzard, Atlanta, TX
Fear not for I am with you;be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
Kerry Wimmpey, Pickens, SC. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” KJV
Stefanie, Livingston, TN
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
Peggy – North Bend WA
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the word, and not according to Christ. Col 2:8
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger: for the anher of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
James 1:19-20 ESV
Camden, AR
Jenny, Bradyville, TN
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” Psalm 4:8, NLT
Sarah Richter, Borger, TX. “I will instruct and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8 NASB
Meghan, Altoona, PA
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tight to what is good. Romans 12:9 NLT
Kristie Kennedy, Toronto, Canada
Philippians 4:6 NLT,
Do not worry about anything, instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.
Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually. (â€1 Chronicles‬ â€16‬:â€11‬ KJV)
Shelley, Tucson, AZ
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
Peggy Casebier, Salem, OR “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Westfield Indiana
“Do not confirm 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.”
Romans 12:2
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in You I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.
Psalm 143:8
Tabitha Westbrook, Raleigh, NC
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (â€Isaiah‬ â€26‬:â€3‬ ESV)
Angie Lopez, Colorado Springs, CO
You have circled the mountain long enough. Now turn toward the North. Deuteronomy 2:3
Kayla N., Jacksonville, FL. “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 ESV
San Antonio,Texas. Philippians 4:6 NIV “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Minta – Cedar Lake, IN
“I prayed to the Lord and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 NLT
Karen Banducci, Redmond, OR
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
2 Corinthians 10:3 NKJV
Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.And what does the Lord require of you?To act justly and to love mercyand to walk humbly with your God. NIV
Jennifer Stroud Huntsville, Ar
Patricia Clevenger, Midland, Texas
“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” Psalm 31:24 KJV
Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:39, NIV
Lorraine D., Marysville, WA
I will give them a hear to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.
Jeremiah 24:7, NIV
Jessica, Hughes Springs, Texas
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.
Romans 12:2 NIV
Stacey, Centennial, CO
“When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”
John 15: 10-11 NLT
DiNe Kooistra Jenison Mi
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed
2 Cor 4:8,9
Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”
Katherine, Nipomo, CA
4. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
1 Thes. 5:4-5 NIV