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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Allison Merrell- Tallassee, AL
Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James:
To those who are the called, loved[a] by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ. Jude 1 HCSB
Amber Skidmore
Washington, WV
Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. (â€Daniel‬ â€2‬:â€20-21‬ NKJV)
Nancy Robison, New Tazewell, TN For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3: 23-24
You make known to me the path of life;in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalms 16:11 ESV
Emily Campano, Ooltewah, TN – For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
I posted in the wrong place! Here’s my first:
Krista Baker, Cape Girardeau, MO “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Brittany Pickens, South Carolina
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:7
“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 competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim 3:16-17 (ESV)
Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Joshua 1:8 (NIV)
2 Corinthians 4:7, New King James Version:
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the excellence of the power
may be of God and not of us.”
Sorry I’m late – home computer is down.
Melissa Boykin (Lugoff SC) “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.” Isaiah 43:19 The Message
Rachel, Wilmington, DE, “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
Holly Thompson from Morristown, Tennessee
“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable – if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise – dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8 (HCSB)
Lori, Richmond, VA
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to The Lord. Col. 3:16 KJV
Grace from Lafayette, IN
“So then, Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 1:6 niv
Amanda Grace, Baton Rouge, LA. “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9, NLT
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world!” John 16:33 HCSB
Angie, Chillicothe, MO “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” I Peter 5:10. NIV
Lori Collins, Columbus GA
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. John 14:1 (NIV)
Kenzie Ellis, Tulsa, OK
O Lord, turn my heart toward your statues and not toward selfish gain. Psalm 119:36 NIV
McClure, OH “Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.” Ps 90:12 (NLT)
Morgan Johnson, Harrisburg, PA
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
(NIV)
Annette, Stouffville ON Canada
Going for the book of Jude this year.
Jude 1
Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,
To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:
NKJV
Nancy wallace, clinton, MS Don’t copy the behavior of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT
Carrie Romero, La Grange, Missouri
“‘Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!'” Luke 1:45, NIV.
Dena K. from Columbus, OH:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (â€Psalms‬ â€51‬:â€10‬ NKJV)
Joanne Corley, Colleyville, Texas. Little children, guard yourselves from idols. NASB
Cynda P from Newnan, GA
“So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.” Romans 8:12 ESV
Connie Thornton
ELBERTON,GA
PSALMS 34 VS 1 I WILL BLESS THE LORD AT ALL TIMES HIS PRAISE SHALL CONTINUALLY BE IN MY MOUTH.KJV
Kimberly Turman from Montgomery, AL
“God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.”
2 Samuel 22:33 (KJV)
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-20 NIV
Kelly Shelby – Greenville, NC
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.”
Psalm 84:11 (NIV)
Donna Philippi, Queen City, TX
6″Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace od God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Mark 10:27 KJV And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
“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.” Is. 41:13
Jami Throne. Peoria, AZ. “Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe. Lead me in the right path, O Lord,or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow.” Psalm 5:7-8 NLT
Halle Mason, Tuscaloosa, AL:
1 John 3:15 “God’s Word Translation”
“Everyone who hates another believer is a murderer, and you know that a murderer doesn’t have eternal life.”
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Jennifer B
Plano, TX
James 1:1-2 (NIV)
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings.
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds,
1 Corinthians 10:31- “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (NLT)
Delite Ritter- West Point, IN
Isaiah 33:6 NAS
And He shall be the stability of your times, A wealth of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge;
The fear of the LORD is his treasure.
Lydia Custer, Steamboat Springs, Co
“So then you are no longer strangers & aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints & members of the household of God. Ephesians 2:19 ESV
Leanne, Billings, MT
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!”
Psalm 141:3 ESV
Angelee Garner Jan 5,2015
Jeremiah 29:11 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.”
My God is in control and I need to be reminded everyday that He knows, He has plans for me, and He is my Hope!
I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Psalm 116:1 NLT
Brenda Sand – Colorado Springs, CO –
Psalm 73:26 NLT “My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.”
Sarah Schultz-Abilene, TX
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Ginny Chu, Vancouver BC , Canada
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God ESV