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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sydney Newham,Tucson, Arizona “I have set the LORD always before me. because he is my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8 NIV
Wendy Berenson, Mechanicsville, VA
“Do your best to improve your faith by adding goodness, understanding, self-control, patience, devotion to God, concern for others, and love.”
2 Peter‬ â€1‬:â€5-7‬ CEVDCUS06
Davina Denny, San Diego, CA “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.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Malinda, Hurst,TX
Deuteronomy 2:3 NASB
You have circled this moutain long enough. Now turn north.
Beth, Pleasant Plains IL
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” Philippians 4:6
Linda White, Trinity, AL, Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold the with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10
Kaye- Hamburg,AR
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (â€Psalm‬ â€73‬:â€26‬ NIV)
Dee Moseley; Taylor, AR;
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
Nicole S, Oviedo, Florida “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11 NIV
Ann Higgins, Maytown AL.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble .
Psalm 46:1 NKJB
Heather V, Lansing, MI- “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1 NIV
Amy Tuzi, York, PA. “Oh Lord, you have searched me and you know me.” Psalm 139:1 NIV
Your word I have treasure do in my heart!
Psalm 119:11 NASB
Christy Kirby, Plano TX: “Then you will know that I am the LORD; Those who hope in me will not be disappointed.” Isaiah 49:23b NIV
Pam K, Prattville, AL Found this blog tonight, “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23 NIV
In his heart man plans his course, but the lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
Jennifer Henderson, Kansas City, MO. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3, NIV.
Karla
Sheboygan Falls, WI
“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.” Psalm 32:1-2 NIV
Michelle, Stilwell, OK ” Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28- NIV
God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. (â€1 Corinthians‬ â€1‬:â€30‬ NLT)
Leigh Anne Goodwin, Houston, TX
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 ESV
Wanda le Roux, Madison, Alabama “If your sinful old self is the boss over your mind,it leads to death. But if the Holy Spirit is the boss over your mind,it leads to life and peace.” ROM 8:6 NLV
Yami Melton, Winfield, PA
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, Philippians 2:6 NIV
Donna Sutherland, Weatherford, Texas, “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.” Psalm 100:3, NIV
Amy Jones, Fort Worth, Texas
Isaiah 46:3-4 (NASB)
Listen to Me, O house of Jacob,
And all the remnant of the house of Israel,
You who have been borne by Me from birth
And have been carried from the womb;Even to your old age I will be the same,
And even to your graying years I will bear you!
I have done it, and I will carry you;
And I will bear you and I will deliver you.
Teresa Scarce Danville,Va And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
Tanya, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
Romans 12:2 NIV
Do not conform any longer 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.
Proverbs 4:23Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
Above all, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life.
You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. proverbs 19:21
Laurie Shinkan, Greenville, WI, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Lucille Goins, New Bloomfield Mo.
Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes
my salvation. Psalms 62:1 NKJV
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. (Isaiah 61:1)
Pam Bendorf, Allen, TX. “Now when He saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him. 2-And He began to teach them, saying: 3-Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:1-12 NIV
Sheri from Hummelstown, PA “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Mt. 5:14-16 NIV
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.”
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Aliese Hoffman
Kearney, NE
Sharon W., Greer, SC,
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Laci, Wylie Texas
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy &peace in believing,that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Alli – Indianapolis, IN “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 NIV
Tracy Winkles, “Twinkles”; Arlington, TX
Anyone who believes in him will not be disappointed. Romans 10:11
Michelle, Omaha, Nebraska (soon to be Cypress, Texas) “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 NIV
Mandi Silvers, Kep, Cambodia “I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord” Isaiah 45:3 NIV
Renae Blume, College Station, TX “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” Ephesians 1:4 NLT
Emily Lawyer, Arlington, VA
“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.” 2 Corinthians 10:5
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:19 (ESV)
Amber, Claremore, OK…..
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2 KJV
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 1 Peter 3:8 KJV
April Hernandez, San Diego, CA
Philippians 4:8 NKJ
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
Debbie Turner Chavers, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 KJV
Staci Allen
Malvern, Arkansas
Mighter than the waves of the sea is his love for you. Psalms 93:4