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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Michelle
Niverville, Manitoba, Canada
Psalm 77:11, 12 ESV
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord:
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds.”
James 1:2-4 (the voice translation)
“Donât run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish lineâmature, complete, and wanting nothing.”
Laurie, from Dallas, Texas. “For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of Your great mercy.” Daniel 9:18b ESV
Sue
Grants Pass Oregon
Psalm 63:1 Oh God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. NIV
Debb Lins. Merrillville, IN Psalm 100:3-5 NIV Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Meaning: gratitude to him in all things, whether one is having a good day or bad.
Paula Weatherly, Huffman, TX
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 NASB
Julie from Amarillo, Texas
“Jesus said to her, âEveryone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.â The woman said to him, âSir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.â” John 4:13-15 (ESV)
âDo not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.â Phil 4:6 NIV
Juliana
Livermore, CA
Ephesians 3:20 – God’s Word Translation
Glory belongs to God, whose power is at work in us. By this power he can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.
I am from Louisville, MS and I am looking forward to hiding His word in my heart with all of you.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:21 KJV
Nicola Evans; Oceanside Ca. Psalm 139:23-24(NIV)
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Susanna Langston, Queen City, Tx – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23 NIV
Cathy, Fort Worth, Texas
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 ESV
Laura Proctor, Madison, Mississippi I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. Romans 6:19 NIV
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” I cor 13:1 NIV
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 Always be joyful. Pray continually, and give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Jesus Christ. – Max Lucado Devotional Bible I have come across this verse several times in the last few months and it has stuck in my mind – I know I need to thank Him in EVERY situation and am going to work diligently at that this next year – and by givng thanks I will be more apt to pray continually!
Suzanna Uyboco, Oceanside, California, “For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your Heavenly Father will forgive you as well.” Matthew 6:14 HCSB
You crown the year with your good blessings, and you leave abundance in your wake.
Psalm 65:11 NET
Dana
Boerne, TX
Denise Madison, Al. “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” I cor 13:1 NIV
Colossians 2 : 6-7 NIV
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 you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)-Therefore as God’s chosen people holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Kaitlin, Grand Rapids, MI “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.â Colossians 3:16 (ESV)
Joan Vanderwall…Orofino, Idaho…Luke1:35&37…..The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called The Son of God, vs. 37. For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Ashley Murfreesboro, TN
Deuteronomy 11:16(ESV)
Take care lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside
and serve other gods and worship them;
Michele Roberts
Portland, TX
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Emily; Riverside, CA. 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. (ESV)
Lateefa Covington, Old Bridge, NJ
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. – 1 Peter 2:9-10 nkjv
D’Anna Nowack
Kilgore, Texas
2 cor. 4 15-16 (NIV)
15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
Re-posting my entry as I posted it under the informational post instead of here.
We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
[Proverbs 16:9] NLT
Paulette Davidson, Richmond, VA “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
Nancy Peters
Manheim, PA
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5 NIV
Lamentations 33:22, 23
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Emily Koski- Midlothian, Va
Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit”
Joy Brinkdopke, Cape Coral, Florida. Let the word of [p]Christ richly dwell within you, [q]with all wisdom teaching and admonishing [r]one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing [s]with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 NASB
Tammy
Alexander, NC
Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3 ESV
Donna, Mobile, AL
Philippians 3:13b:14 NAS
Forgetting what lies behing and reaching forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Toni D Wilson, Ft.Worth,Tx. “But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine!'” Isaiah 43:1 NAS
Dunnegan missouri Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of lockers.
Isaiah 43:19
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 .
You are my God and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his loves endures forever. Psalm 118:28-29
Sheila Boor, Osceola, Iowa, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phillippians 4:6-7.
Let not any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs; that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV
I Peter 5 1-4
“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be, not greedy for money, but eager to serve, not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
Betsy, Fort Worth
Micah 6:8 NIV He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Laura, Pensacola, FL. Galatians 6:9 ESV “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we DO NOT GIVE UP!”
Carrie Eggering
Kendallville, Indiana
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
Rayeanne Owen; Round Rock, Texas
Philippians 4:13 NASB “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails”.
Proverbs 19:21
Sara from Cheyenne, Wyoming. “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6.