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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Marianne, Rotterdam, Netherlands
en dat niet alleen, we prijzen ons zelfs gelukkig onder alle ellende, omdat we weten dat ellende tot volharding leidt, volharding tot betrouwbaarheid, en betrouwbaarheid tot hoop. Romans 5:3-4
Joy, Newnan GA “Praise The Lord, Hallelujah! Blessed man, blessed woman who fear God, who find great delight in His commands, who cherish and relish them! Psalm 112:1 NIV/Message
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Proverbs 31:10 NIV
Sharon Fisher, Hahira GA
All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 ESV
Amanda; Queen City, TX
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
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.”
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Denise LeBlanc, Groves, Texas. “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV
Tami
Platte, South Dakota
“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
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.
Psalm 143:8
Apple Valley, MN
“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)
Joni Lawrence, Bedford, TX
“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
Ingleside , TX
“…rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.”
Romans 12:12 NKJV
Cathy, Rhinebeck,NY
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.
Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in him, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
new living translation
Zaleigh from Coweta, Oklahoma
Always be joyful because you belong to The Lord. I will say it again be joyful. Philippians 4:4 NIrV
Mary, Maplewood, Mn
Do not be afrid of your enemies, the Lord your God will fight for you. Deut. 3:22
Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews‬ â€4‬:â€16‬ NASB
Aleigha from Coweta, OK
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Jessica B., North Potomac, MD
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Sue Powers, Maryville, IL
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful (John 15:1 NIV).
a few days late, but here goes! Tamara Doyle from Kingston, Massachusetts. “And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” (â€Isaiah‬ â€58‬:â€11‬ ESV)
Debbie Gladfelter, Seminole, FL
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Kathy in Arkansas
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in You! Is 26:3 (niv)
Lindsay, Darlington, SC
The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Thorse who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, have never abandonded anyone who searches for you.
Psalm 9:9-10, NLT
For Thou hast been my help, and in the shadow of Thy wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to Thee; Thy right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:7-8 NASB
Laura, Melbourne Florida, Joshua 1:9
Lucy, Mobile, AL
let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for yo you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8 NIV
Maureen, St. Clair Shores, MI. “Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out it’s implication in every detail of our lives.” (Galatians 5:25 MSG)
Deanna Ellis, Lexington, SC, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine according to HIS POWER that IS at work WITHIN US, to Him be the glory in the CHURCH and in Christ Jesus throughout ALL generations forever and ever! Amen!” Ephesians 3:20-21
Debe Orosco, Olathe, KS –
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can stand against the devils schemes.
Ephesians 6:11
The the comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 NIV
Jenni Severson, Nerstrand, MN, 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 â€3‬:â€5-6‬ NIV
Alison, Jackson,Missouri-
James, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:Greetings. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds. James 1:1-2 NIV
Romans 8:38-39King James Version (KJV)
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Mary-Katherine Rogers, New Albany, OH, ” In their hearts human beings plan their lives but the LORD decides where their steps will take them.” Proverbs 16:9, NIRV
Lisa Veach, The Woodlands, Texas
Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. For man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19b-20 NIV
Nancey Lillich, The Woodlands, TX “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: To look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” James 1:27 NIV
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)
Dana, Bellevue, WA
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord will keep me safe.
Psalm 4:8 NLT
Jill, Midland, 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
Janell Muggeridge, Charlotte, NC- “Slow down. Take a deep breath. What’s the hurry? Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway?” – Jeremiah 2:25a
Carol Englund, Midland, Michigan – Romans 15:13 (NIV)
May the God of all 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
Kelly, Waco, TX
“Beloved, let us love one another for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
1 John 4:7-8 NASB
Kara, Greensboro, NC-Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. Psalm 105:4 NLT
Pam Wiggins, Lyons, GA
“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
Romans 10:4, KJV
Abbie, Hudson, MI
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 ESV
Lauren Johnson, Soperton, GA
The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.
Exodus 11:14 (NKJV)
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8
Elise Arnold Midlothian, TX Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Phil 2:3 ESV