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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers. Isaiah 65:24
Katie from Johnstown, CO
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 (NKJV)
Tricia Faison Wendell, NC
1 John 3:1 NIV “How great is the love the Father has lavished
on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that did not know him.”
Christina from Adel, IA
So, because you are luke-warm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:16 (NIV)
Rachel Wiederhoeft, Logansport, IN
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8
Teresa, Lakeland, Fl
God has something new in 2015!
Isaiah 43:18, 19
18
“But forget all that—
it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
19
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.
Karen Wallace/Lakeland FL
Romans 15:13 “Now 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 the Holy Spirit.”
Amy from Noble, OK
Mark 9:7b
“… and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (NIV)
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
Psalm 63:1 (KJV)
Karen Sanders, Burleson, Texas. “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves His child as well.” 1John 5:1 NIV
Zephaniah 3:17 “The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” NIV
Catrina Marshall, Ft Worth, Texas. “Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.” Ephesians 4:1 (NLT)
Tresha, Kingfisher,OK Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable..if anything is excellent or praiseworthy..think about such things. Philippians 4:8 NIV
Keri, Tennessee- But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head
Psalms 3:3 KJV
Wendy
Harrodsburg, Kentucky
“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.” Psalm 139:1-3 NIV
Mary Witte, Grand Rapids, MN
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
I entered this on Jan. 1, but on the instruction page, rather than the official launch page. Sorry!!
Dana Owens, Oneonta, AL. “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
This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
Jennifer, Houston, “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
But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, everyone of them, just as he wanted them. 1 Corinthians 12:18 (NIV) Michelle Witt Stephenville, Texas
Kayla from Morgantown, WV
Set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 1:22 NIV
Jackie Sparks, Alapaha, GA Pslam 37:4,5 “Delight yourself 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.” NIV
Jacci from Denver, CO
1 Corinthians 13:11 “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a [woman], I put the ways of childhood behind me.”
Wendy Puckett, Mayfield, Kentucky. “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Luke 6:46 NIV
Hopeo Mullis Tifton, GA Pslam 37:4,5 “Delight yourself 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.” NIV
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy it does not boast, It is not proud. Corinthians I 13-4 (NIV)
Donna Wittich, Carthage, IL
When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, will I seek.” Psalm 27:8 NKJV
Jessica Davis – Springville, AL
Isaiah 43:1 NIV
But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
A little late, but Tracy from Battle Creek, MI
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6 NIV
Debbie Jordan, Germantown, TN
As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. (â€II Samuel‬ â€22‬:â€31‬ NKJV)
Anita from Murfreesboro, TN
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. ~2 Corinthians 12:10 (ESV)
Sue Kennedy, Nebraska
You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working, even during the seasons of plowing and harvest.
Exodus 34:21 (NLT)
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.”
Amanda Blocker, Fort Collins, Colorado
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16 ESV
Kim from Dickinson, ND
You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your Presence,
with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.
Ps. 16:11 NIV
Lauren- Seward, NE
Therefore a strong people will glorify You; Cities of ruthless nations will revere You. For You have been a defense for the helpless, A defense for the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; For the breath of the ruthless Is like a rain storm against a wall. Isaiah 25:3-4 NASB
Beth Tarpley, Hendersonville, TN
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters…”
Col 3:23 NIV
Polly from Xenia, OH
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Susan from Charleston, SC
“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
Robin– Lenoir City, TN –These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11 ESV
Lori Hurst-Burleson,Texas
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
I Corinthians 16:13&14 (ESV)
Cyndi from Chandler AZ, Your’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me! (Ps. 119:113 msg)
San Jon, NM
“But whoever listens to me will live securely and be free from the fear of danger.”
Proverbs 1:33
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5 KJV
Megan Hall, Americus, GA
“‘No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,’ says the LORD.” Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV)
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:16-17 ESV
Diana Rice, Wooster, Ohio. Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. James 1:2-3 HCSB
Amy, Quincy, IL
The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save,
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17, NIV
Csssaundra Howard, Brooklyn, Michigan
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.”
Hebrew 10:23 NLT