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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sheryl, PA
However, as it is written, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him”
I Corinthians 2:10
Andrea from Spicewood, Texas
” Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2 NIV
Heidi Lakenan, Daphne, Alabama
“…the WORK of righteousness shall be PEACE and the EFFECT of righteousness QUIETNESS and ASSURANCE forever.” (Isaiah 32:17 – KJV)
Jill Steele from Bridgeport, WV “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Marla, Morden, Manitoba, Canada
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
JAMES 3:17, NLT
1 pet. 5:6 “Humble yourselves therfore under God’s mighty hand. ..”
Joyce Naylor, Henderson, TN.
18. Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old. 19. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19. HCSB
This verse is perfect for the new year!!
Lila Pearson, Salem, OR “Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€18-19‬ HCSB)
Mary Chaffee, Spokane WA
Devote yourselves to prayer, stay alert in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 HCSV
Cindy, Raleigh NC “You turned my wailing into dancing, you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.” Psalm 30:11-12 NIV
Alanna Arceneaux, Pineville, LA “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him.” Philippians‬ â€3‬:â€7-9‬a NLT
Kristin Mitchell Dunmor, Kentucky. “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” 1John 1:5 ESV
Kristin-Meridian, Idaho
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 3:3
Same one I selected. Have enjoyed putting it to memory.
(Jesus sais) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.”
Romans 5 v 8 ESV
But God shows His love for us that while we were still sinners , Christ died for us
Kate, Fredericton, NB, Canada:
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the desert and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 ESV
Susan Holman. Farmington, MO
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 ESV
Kathy
Albuquerque, NM
2 Timothy 4:1-2 HCSB
Before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom, I solemnly charge you: proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching.
Heather F. – Pelion, SC – “Not that I have already attained it, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehedned; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:12-14 – NKJV
Stacy Baker, detroit, Michigan
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes”
Psalm 37:7 (niv)
Jennifer Fleming, Richland, WA
” a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
Kim Petty, West Milton, OH “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)
Debra Coon, Atmore, AL
“Behold I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” Isaiah 43:19 NKJV
Sheela Zelmer, Toronto, ON, Canada
We plan the way we want to live, but only GOD makes us able to live it.
Proverbs 16:9, MSG
2 Peter 3:9 NLT
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
Karen Whatley, Little Rock, Arkansas.
“Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord. Trust also in Him, and He will do it.” Psalm 37:4-5 NAS
Sarah, Dickinson Tx, Amplified,
Psalm19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord my Rock and Redeemer.
Jen Spena, Ponca City, OK “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ESV
Mary Ruth Franklin
Lanexa, VA
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.
Ephesians 1:3
New American Standard Bible
Isaiah 43:19 NLT:
For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
From Houston
You,Lord will always treat me with kindness. Your love never fails. You have made us what we are. Don’t give up on us now! Psalm 138:8 (CEVU)
The Lord will perfect that which concerns me;Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, endure forevever-forsake not the works of Your own hands. Psalm138:8 (AMP)
Haley Barnett, Covington, GA. “Seek the Lord and his strength;seek his presence continually!” 1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV
Holly T, Powell, WY
“Set a guard over my mouth,keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141: 3 NIV
Bobbie Head, Radium Springs, NM. 1Cor 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom is from God, and you are not your own? NKJ
Jennifer Tricarico, Fairfax VA
Cause me to hear your lovingkindess in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.
Psalm 143:8 NKJV
Natalie Bullock – Pearl, MS
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV
Elizabeth Meagher- Mechanicsville, VA
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9, NIV
NIV…for hot it earlier
1 pet 5:6
Lisa Aldhizer, Pfafftown, North Carolina. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” II Timothy 1:7 NLT
Hannah Lakenan (age 10), Daphne, AL
“…whatsoever things are PURE, whatsoever things are LOVELY, whatsoever things are OF GOOD REPORT; if there be any VIRTUE, and if there be any PRAISE, think on THESE THINGS.” (Philippians 4:8 – KJV)
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 (KJV)
Jenny Johnson from Ashland, KY- Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3 ESV
Maryse Sturm, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands (Europe). ‘Heer onze Heer, hoe machtig is Uw naam op heel de aarde.’ Ps.8:2, NBV
Look to the Lord and His strength; Seek his face always. Psalms 105:4 NIV
Karen House – Houston. Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will into be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says The Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10
Gina Martin, Bedford, Tx. 1 corinthians 15:36…How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.
Jessica, Garden City, KS:
1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knows us not because it knew him not. NKJV
Rachael Sol from Marietta, GA
Isaiah 55:2 NIV “Why spend money on what is bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.”
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:23
Megan Ramsey, Princeton, WV
“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