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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Robyn Gross, Cape Girardeau, Mo, “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” Romans 8:31 NLT
Sheila, Glasgow, Kentucky
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. (â€2 Corinthians‬ â€12‬:â€9‬ HCSB)
Lichelle- Austin
Revelation 21:3New Living Translation (NLT)
3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.[a]
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Phil 4:6 NIV
Tara from Cherryvale, KS
I can do all things thru Christ which strengthenenth me Philippians 4:13 King James Version
Beth, Managua, Nicaragua
Instead, it(your beauty) should be that of your inner self, the us fading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4, NIV
Anne Sporrer, Washington IL
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. John 1:1 NIV
Diane Bennett, Bingham Lake, MN His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence. II Peter 1:3 ESV
Martha – Tampa, FL
“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 NIV
Meagan McCready, Holloman AFB, NM Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
Rebekah Ostrom Boring, OR.
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 NIV
Erica – Apple Valley, MN
He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
-Deuteronomy 8:3 (NIV)
Ella. Sumter, SC
Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. Proverbs 25:28
Lisa Landis from Castro Valley, California — Psalm 38:15 “Lord, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God.” NIV
Karen Crawford, Jefferson City, MO: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 NKJV
Sarah Luke, Kearney, Nebraska “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
Jan Wineland, Sioux City, Iowa Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Philippians 4:6 NLT
Amanda Pullen, Portales, NM. “He said to her ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace, and be freed from your suffering.’ ” Mark 5:34, NIV
NIV
Karissa Greer, Kansas City, MO
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.” 1 John 4:18 NRSV
“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)
The Lird 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
Elizabeth, Fort Worth, TX
Isaiah 9:6, HCSB
“For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
Renee King, Queens, NY “Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.” Jeremiah 33:3 NLT
Kathleen, Orange, Texas “Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring.” NIV
LaTanya Schmidt, Carmel, Indiana
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, 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
Kathryn, Boise
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Genesis 1:1 KJV
Donna R Burleson, Tx
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. (â€Jeremiah‬ â€29‬:â€11‬ NIV)
Keely, Sturgis, KY
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. 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 12:1-2 (NIV)
Kara McAfee, Houston, TX. “Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” 1 Peter 3:4, ESV
Maria San Antonio, TX.
“Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Luke 12: 24-25 NIV
Leigh Toronto, Ontario
Lamentations 3: 21 (ESV)
21 But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope
KariAnn Lessner
Houston, TX
Romans 5:8 NRSV “But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”
Janice Meyer; Euless, Texas Isaiah 43:19 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.
Paula Sheil, Pella, Iowa Psalm 34:4(NIV) “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears”
Phoebe Holbrook from Kentucky; Matthew 25:40 “And the King will answer and say to them’Assuredly, I say to you, in as much as you did otto one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40
South Elgin
We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus. Acts 15:11 NLT
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Lafayette, IN
For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
Christin Fletcher, Abilene, Texas. “You, God, are my God, I earnestly seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1
Gina Smith, Rowlett, Tx Romans 15:13 NIV 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.
Isaiah 41:10 NIV So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Thank you Beth and lproof team!
Elaine Jones Monroe, LA
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 KJV
Jeremiah 32:27 I am the Lord, the God of every person on the earth. Nothing is impossible for me.
Jeremiah 32:27
Samantha Lewis, LaCamp, LA Psalm 62:2 He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. KJV
Carol Belcher Spring Texas
Create in me a pure heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Tara Grand Prairie, Tx “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20 ESV
Joshua 1:9
“Be strong and courageous for I am with you always.” AS
Amanda Ortega
Grover Beach California
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Mark 11:24
Akiko Stengele, Spring Hill TN
I lift up my eyes to the hills.From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1 ESV