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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ginny from Hernando, MS: “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 121:1-2 ESV
Allison Moldenhauer – Brenham, TX – 1 John 2:26-27 NIV84
“I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit – just as it has taught you, remain in Him. “
He reached down from on high and took hold of me, He drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me
Psalm 18:16-17 ESV
Kathryn Hahn–Jacksonvolle, Florida
“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 uphold you with my victorious right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Cheryl Grubbs – Bonaire GA – 1 Corinthians 9:27 NKJV
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
Christy- Baltimore, MD- Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
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.
Donna Burns – Greenville, SC – Ephesians 1:16 ESV
“I do not cease to give thanks to you, remembering you in my prayers.”
vonda, Thorntown, IN
Ps 50:23 NASB “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me, and to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God.”
Krista Stover-Arvada, Colorado
Ephesians 6:13 “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
Anina, Virginia Beach, VA – Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (â€NIV)
Marti Dickenson. Artesia NM. look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 1 chronicles 16:11 NIV
Christy, Philadelphia, PA. “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:15 NLT
Luke 11:36
If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.”
Please leave no dark corners in me!
Michelle Perry, Creedmoor, NC “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (â€Jeremiah‬ â€33‬:â€3‬ ESV)
Psalm 121:2 NASB “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven & earth”
Waycross, GA “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. (â€1 John‬ â€5‬:â€14‬ AMP)
Lisa W.
Hendersonville,TN
“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 minds in Jesus Christ.” Phillippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Moriah, Washington IL: “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'” John 8:12 NIV
Sarah – Pearland, TX – Psalm 121:1-2 ESV
“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.”
Nikki Fisher, Port Orchard, WA “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 4:23 NIV
Cindy
You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence. Acts 2:28 NLT
Jina Akridge – Colorado Springs, CO – “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You,because he trusts in You.” Is 26:3 NKJV
Brandy P – Wylie, TX 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV
All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
Kimberly Livingston, College Station, Tx – “The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of Jewelry” Proverbs 25:11 the Message
Laurie – Austin, TX I Timothy 4:8
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come”. NIV
Beth – Lyons, NY “And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” Romans 6:18 NKJV
Elaine Miller- Austin, TX-
” I prayed to the Lord and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 New Living Translation
Shirley Barry, Mooresville, NC
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:1 NIV
“My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.” James 5:10 NKJV
Give your burdens to the Lord; and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. (Psalm 55:22 NLT)
Allison
Eau Claire, WI
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2Tim 1:7
Lauren Gill – Frisco, TX – Proverbs 19:11 NLT
“Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.”
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. Gal 6:22
Anna Hutchinson
Auburn, AL
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. (â€James‬ â€1‬:â€2-3‬ ESV)
Love is patient, love is kind, Love does not envy, is not boastful,is not conceited, does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked,and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. I Cor. 13:4-8 HCSB
San Angelo, tx
Meredith Marucci, Noblesville, IN – But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.
Proverbs 1:33, NLT
Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
Kareena, Corvallis, Oregon–Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV Study Bible Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in The Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not be faint.
Nikki Eads
Kansas City, MO
“I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 34:4 NIV
Buda Tx. Romans 8:31 NIV What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us who can be against us?
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience
Gwynn Sutterby, Winter Park, FL. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of GOD: Ephesians 2:8 KJV
Hattiesburg, MS
Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. NIV
Gina Jordan, Edgar Springs, MO
Hosea 6:3 NLT
Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know Him! He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.
This verse is lovely, and totally you with a season in it. I can easily see how this verse speaks to you:)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be known to God. Philippians 4:6 NKJV
Sandra, Fort Worth TX
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
John 14:1 ESV
Anne, Fairview, Texas : Colossians‬ â€1‬:â€9‬ NLT
“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.”
Goddard, Ks
Matthew 7:25 NIV
“The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”
Tami K. Hastings, Albuquerque, NM
“The LORD bless you and keep you;” Numbers 6:24 NIV