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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. Jn 7:38 NIV
Sybil from Newnan,GA
Revelation 17:14 They will make war against the Lamb but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings-and with him will be his called,chosen, and faithful followers. NIV
I assure you; unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3 HCSB
Rachel, Farmington 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
Beth, thank you for your hard work and dedication to our Lord and the Church. Studying with you the last eight years has changed my life and helped me through abuse, a stroke, the birth of three of my children, more abuse, and now I finally have the courage to let ho let God, and I’m getting s divorce from that abusive man. Thank you for being a vessel and wonderful teacher..Rachel..The Lord is near the broken hearted, He saves the crushed in Spirit psalm 34:18
Emily Byrd; Baton Rouge, LA
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.
Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)
Monica, Burleson,TX 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Madison, MS
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18(ESV)
Ginger Stephenson, Decatur, AL.
“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
Ali From Cheney WA.
Psalm 1:1, NIV
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or, stand in the way that sinners take, or sit in the company of mockers.
AndrĂ©a Peterson, Modesto, California. “Because he holds fast to me in love I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.” Psalm 91:14-15 ESV
James 3:17 ESV
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere.”
Judy K, Johnsburg, IL, “But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Proverbs 4:18 ASV
Tari Hathcock, Washington, MO
11Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound, in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. Phil. 4:11-12
OK
Isaiah 49:15-16New International Version (NIV)
15 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me.
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
-Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Beth Lynes, San Diego, CA – “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9 (NIV)
Courtney
Northglenn, CO
John 16:33b
In this world you will have trouble but, take heart, for I have overcome the world!
Heather Tyson McGuirk, Portland, Oregon “I waited patiently for the Lord;he turned to me and heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1 NIV
Roswell, NM
Isaiah 43: 19 NIV
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Alet Swart, Pretoria South Africa
Col 2:7
Keep your roots deep in him and have your lives built on him. Be ·strong [established] in the faith, just as you were taught, ·and always be thankful [abounding/overflowing with gratitude]. (EXB)
Bobbi Rexroat, Rose Hill, KS “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.” Prov. 3:5,6
Isaiah 43:19 New Living Translation (NLT): 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.
Bellingham, WA
2Corinthians 4:16 NIV
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.
Joshua 1:8-9 NIV – (PERSONALIZED: prayed back)
My Lord GOD Almighty,
“Keeping Your Word always on my lips, meditating on it day and night, being careful to do everything written in it, then I will be prosperous and successful.
Commended me to be strong and courageous, I AM not afraid, I AM not discouraged, for YOU, my Lord GOD, will be with me wherever I go.”
Tina Thompson, Lexington Kentucky
1 Peter 1:8 NASB
And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:19 NIV
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” Galatians 2:20-21, NKJV
Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:39
Kim from Graham, NC:
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 KJV
Rebbeca Barrett, No Brunswick, NJ, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5v16-18
P.J.,Barwick, Ga.,
Psalm 51:10 NKJV
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Leanna Leake, Vandalia, Missouri
Job 23:10 NIV. — But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. Colossians 3:16a
Kathy, Austin, Texas “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the house hold of God” Ep. 2:19 ESV
For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Cor 5:7
Hendersonville, TN
Isaiah 43:19, Look! I’m doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it? I’m making a way in the desert, paths in the wilderness.
Amy
Yukon, OK
James 1:2-5 NLT
“Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.”
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NET
for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.
Alice Dickson-Buist, South Lyon, Mi
Isaiah 62:10 NIV
“Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations.”
Heavens sickle sweep away the way-ward weeds, train my heart and mind to action so I too PASS THROUGH! PASS THROUGH! I ask for heavens strategic plan as YOU prepare the way and assignments before me. Grant a spirit mind, fully set on YOU, a skillful hand to build up! Build up the highway. Removing the stones that might hinder progress to Your Most excellent ways..Jesus let our life’s become a banner for your glory. We RAISE the banner of Your Excellency and declare your ways in all we say and do. amen
Vicki, Wilmington NC
The end of a thing is better than its beginning; the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Ecclesiastes 7:8 NKJV
Jennifer Kelley
Whitewright, TX
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. (â€2 Corinthians‬ â€4‬:â€8-9‬ NLT)
Sara Sartori
Hopedale, MA
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24, ESV
Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Tracey Hill, Frisco, TX: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.
“If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” Stl John 7: vs 37.
Joy Thompson, Fort Worth, TX , “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Phillipians 4:8, ESV
Exodus 33:14 (MSG)
“My presence will go with you. I will see the journey to the end.”
Michele (better late than never)
Atlanta, Ga
~Romans 12:2 ESV
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” Exodus 40:34
Matthew 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.
Ontario
Canada