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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jann B.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is right and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” 2Timothy 3:16 NLT
2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things, at all times, you may abound in every good work.
Cindy/Midland
Just as a body, through one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 1 Corinthians NIV
Katie, Bossier City, Louisiana
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.”
Isaiah 43:1 (NIV)
Catherine Bethlehem ,Pa
I will remember the deeds of the Lord ; yes I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
Psalm 77:11,12 NIV
Rene’ L. of Seminole, Fl. “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing” James 1:2,3,4 NRSV
Sue from Telford, PA
Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” NIV
Denise, Hernando Beach, FL
For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6, NKJV
Haley, Cleveland, TN
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. Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Rockmart, Ga
“With all my heart I have sought You;
Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.” Psalm 119:10-11 NASB
Melanie Loperano, Atlanta, GA Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the Saints who are at Ephesus & who are faithful in Christ Jesus: (NASB)
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 NKJV
Danielle Maddalena, Cumming, GA
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galations 5:1 (NIV)
Nikki Green from Baton Rouge, LA: “Don’t worry about anything;instead, pray about everything. Tell GOD what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.” Phil.4:6 (NLT)
“And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:16, ESV
Keeley Vanek, Hockley, TX, For God so loved the world he gave his one and only son so whoever believes in him will not die but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Romans 15:13 – Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit
This has been my go to verse for the past year when my mom was dying of cancer……Philippians 4:6-7 “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus”.
Janice; Springville, AL
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
I Thessalonians 5:14 NLT
“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)
Amy B.
Lexington, KY
“God, your God, will cut away the thick calluses on your heart and your children’s hearts, freeing you to love God, your God, with your whole heart and soul and live, really live.” Deuteronomy 30:6 MSG
Living Bible: “But Lord, you are my shield, my glory, and my only hope. You alone can lift my head, now bowed in shame”. Psalm 3:3
Lynne Kauffman, Virginia Beach, VA Isaiah 11:1, “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.” ESV
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 NKJV
Austin, Texas
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
Megan Sorrell, Cleveland
You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13
Vicki Allen, Jackson,TN Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23. NIV
Katelyn, Sterlington, LA. 1 Peter 4:11 (NIV). “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.”
Deena Elliott, Modesto, CA “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
Mary Scott, Park Hills, Missouri 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 a hope and a future.” NIV.
Emily, Bogotá, Colombia – 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. Romans 12:1 (NIV)
Jenny P. from Spring Hill, TN Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the spirit especially prophecy. 1Corinthians 14:1 NIV
Rachel Lancaster; Harrison, Arkansas– When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:18-19 NIV
Julie Bock, Columbia City, Indiana. “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
Kelly Qualtiere, Hudson, FL. “Guard your heart above all else for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23, NLV
Monica, Abbotsford, BC Canada
Ps 103:1 – Bless the Lord Oh my soul and all that is within me bless His only name! ESV
Amanda
Killen, AL
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.
Romans 12:9
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good.
(NRSV)
Hallie Cramer
Mansfield,OH
“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
Michele Foster
Taylorsville NC
The thief cometh not,but to steal and kill and to destroy; I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. JOHN10:10 KJV
Lisa, from Crosby, 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 hop and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Yami Melton, Winfield, PA
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5 NIV
Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.
Psalm 34:9 NIV
Reposting because I think my other post didn’t go through-
“For from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace” John 1:16 (ESV)
Missy Lonergan, Humble, Texas. “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” James 3:17 KJV
Adele
Minot, ND
Romans 10:17 NIV
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Lori Kay Wilson, San Angelo, Texas. “Teach us to number our days , that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90:12. KJV
Laura Green Bay, WI
Eph. 1:18
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened,
so that you may know what is the hope of His calling,
what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance
in the saints.
NASB
I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. 1 Samuel 1:27 (NIV)
Twyla, Greenville, Ky
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