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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Laynette Van Anne, Gering, NE
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)
Lois Kinman, Lewisville, Texas 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 of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV (1984)
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13 (KJV)
Joleen Klingler, Bluffton, Ohio,
“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more”
Hebrews 8:12 (NIV)
Col. 3:1&2 (TM)
So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Son’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what’s going on around Christ – that’s where the action is. See things from His perspective.
Beth Stoffregen, Laguna Hills, CA
“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)
Linda Paulson, Lakewood, WA
“All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness”
2Timothy 3:16 ESV
John 15:5 Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Beth from Raleigh, NC: I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2 NIV
Allison, Austin, TX “I am engaged in an important work, and I am unable to come down” Neh 6:3 NET
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
Lisa Dashiell – Portland, OR
“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 (ESV)
Shelley Scott Rio Rancho, NM: “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
2 Tim 3:16,17 ESV All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Jamie – Coupeville, WA
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:3, NASB
Deborah , Waco, Texas
“…thus far has the Lord helped us”
1 Samuel 7:12 NIV
Linda from Montgomery, Al
For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice,
And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
Hosea 6:6 NASB
Beth Wilson from Skiatook, OK
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1: 5-8 NIV
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:13 (KJV)
Johnine – Anna, TX
I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4
NIV
Karrie Hudson, Wellington Texas 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 a dry wasteland. Isaiah 43:19 NLT
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.
1 Chron 4:10 (NIV)
Christine Melbourne Romans 12;2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world,but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. NIV
Alicia from Byron Center
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again: Rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember the Lord is coming soon!
Philippians 4:4-5
Jane, Houston, TX
A psalm. For giving grateful praise. Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. ~ Psalm 100:1 NIV
Kim, Ellenwood, GA
John 17:1 “When Jesus had spoken these things, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, Father, the hour has come. Glorify and exalt and honor and magnify Your Son, so that Your Son may glorify and extol and honor and magnify You.” (AMP)
Bonnie Otterson from Gresham OR; “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” James 1:19 NLT
Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 3:3
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)
Rena Brown from Ritzville, WA:
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
Ephesians 1:5 (NLT)
Kyla Gebhart, Henderson, NV. “Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 NASB
Jenny Reynolds – Townsville, Australia.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV
DLynn; Argyle, TX
Psalm 43:3 NIV
Send forth your light and your truth,
let them guide me;
let them bring me to your holy mountain,
to the place where you dwell.
Kristen Houston,Texas
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned fall short of the glory of GOD
Lindsay Van Sicklen, Arkadelphia, AR. Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (â€Proverbs‬ â€3‬:â€5-6‬ NLT)
“Lord show as the Father. That is all we need”
John 14:8 CEV
Ashley, Murfreesboro, TN “May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.” Colossians 1:11 ESV
Laura Nisbett, Lewisville, TX. “I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:10-13 NIV
Wow this is long. Are u a ministers wife?
Not at all – I’m a CPA! I was just commenting to my 12 yr old daughter that I may have been a little too enthusiastic. It is not as easy to memorize in your 40s as in your school years.
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”
James 1:26 (NIV)
Karina
Baton Rouge, La.
“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:16 (ESV)
Cindy, Port Neches, TX
Psalm 94:19 ESV
“When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.”
Jodi Williams, Travelers Rest, SC The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lam 3:22-23 NLT
Courtney Atnip, Temecula, CA I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (â€Romans‬ â€15‬:â€13‬ NLT)
Kim, Asheboro, NC
Psalm 46:10 KJV
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
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.”
Paris, KY – I’m currently gathering courage to drive again following a seizure.
Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold or your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Mary, Sweet Springs, WV: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16, KJV