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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dena Bibb, Stockton, CA ‘You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north, (â€Deuteronomy‬ â€2‬:â€3‬ NASB)
Mattew 11:28. NIV
come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Teresa Collett from Glendale, AZ
“Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
For the Lord God is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 12:2 – New American Standard Bible
Jen – Cedarburg, WI
“Let the words of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God” Colossians 3:16 NIV
Ashley
Statesville, NC
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 NIV
Babes. Orange, VA
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” NKJ Jeremiah 29:11.
Heather, Houston, TX
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Nellie Ratliff, Fort Worth, Texas. “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Romans 8:24-25 NIV
Emily Statesville, NC
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
Michelle Lefler, Norman, OK, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares The Lord, “plans for welfare and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
Michele, Sioux City, IA
These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
1 Peter 1:7 NIV
Suzie, Moneta, VA
Isaiah 11:1 NIV
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jessie. From his roots a branch will bear fruit.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 4:6-7
Tammy, Houston, 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
Janelle, Boone, CO
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
This is my second attempt to join. I hope I do it correctly this time.
Tina, North Richland Hills, Texas
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:21 ESV
Ashlyn Techau, Lexington, KY. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV
Christelle. Calgary,AB
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6 ESV
Emily, Boone, CO
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.
Psalm 34:13 NIV
Julie Piesik, Allen Park, MI
Teach me knowledge and good judgement for I trust your commands. Psalm 119:66 (NIV)
Tracy, Baton Rouge LA
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 he Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV
Jacob, why do you say,
Lee Ann, Norman, OK
and Israel, why do you assert:
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
and my claim is ignored by my God”?
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Yahweh is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the whole earth.
He never grows faint or weary;
there is no limit to His understanding.
Isaiah 40:27-28 HCSB
Stacie Beard, Collins, MS
“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Staci Garriott, Meridian, TX.
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:5 NIV
Esther, Heber City, Utah
He says, “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 NIV
Beth, Huntsville, AL
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.
Romans 12:1
Grace Wens Simi Valley, CA “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV
Jonesboro, AR
Erin Sabo, Seattle, wa.
1 peter 3:11
“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it “
Angelica, Trussville, AL
For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
– John 1:16, ESV
Liz Wellborn, Hughes Springs, TX,
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4;8 ESV
Karen Khan, Houston, TX “My soul, praise Yahweh! LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with majesty and splendor.” Ps 104:1 HCSB
Vicki, La Grande, OR
The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
Deuteronomy 31:8
Kara, Carmel, IN
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Cathi-Coweta, OK
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Ivy Morrison, Dayton TX
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua1:9 NIV
Mary Wood
Fort Worth, TX
Isaiah 43:19 NIV
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.
Susan Nelson, Chandler, AZ. So do not fear, 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
2 Chron. 16:9a “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”
Aimee Wodkowski, Bay City, MI – “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” Isaiah 32:17
Rita
Midland, TX
Therefore we do not lose heart.
Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 16-18 NIV
Amy, Chesterfield, MO
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.
James 4:8 ESV
“So 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
Allyson Howerton, Decatur, 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
Angie W., Federal Way, WA
Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Proverbs 30:5 ESV
Jessica Stallsmith, Noblesville, IN
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”Psalms 34:18 (NLT)
Katrina, Salem, OR
“Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”
Mark 9:50
Jody Hatch, NM Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV “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 desert and streams in the wasteland.”
Leslie Hudson, Corvallis, Oregon (posting a second time since I never did confirm my original post on January 1st)
You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “your face Lord do I seek. Psalm 27:8 ESV