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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lenaira Day, Kansas City, Mo. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 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 8:38-39 NIV
Lorie Reading, North Judson, Indiana “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
Bobbi Mooney, Houston, TX
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Ps 119:105 (NIV)
Michelle Mccammon, Fairhope, AL
“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ.” Philippians 4:6-7
Lori, Manhattan, KS “Who, then is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.”
Ps 25:12 NIV
Galatians 6:9-10, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
cindy b,Alton NH “My heart has heard you say “Come and talk with me” And my heart responds, “Lord I am coming.” NLT
Terri Hansen, Stuart, Iowa “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the GIFT OF GOD. Eph. 2:8, NAS
I have been studying with Beth for about 20 years. So blessed to be a part of these wonderful studies. God is Good and Faithful.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 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.”
Kristi Stallo of Greenville, SC.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29;11 NLT
Suzanne Abeytia, Sanger, CA. “Teach us (me) to realize the brevity of life, so that we (I) may grow in wisdom”. Psalm 90:12 NIV
Charity Mack, Virginia Beach, VA: “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (John 15:7 NIV)
“I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize.” ~ Philippians 3:12 (CEV)
Amy Stanley, Lewisport, KY
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9(NIV)
Kristin, Ohio
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation if my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 KJV
Kathy Bond Wichita Ks
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD” (Psalm 33:2).
Carrie B from Princeton, MN
“Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield,
your very great reward.”
Genesis 15:1b NIV
Rachel Brannon ~ Athens, GA
“Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the Lord Himself is God above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.”
Deuteronomy 4:39 NKJV
Francine Thacker, Burnet, 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 hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
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
Christy, Jonesboro, AR
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
1 Peter 4:7 NIV
Beth Howard~ Gillette, Wyoming
Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you;in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Psalm 90:12
Lord, teach me to number my days that I may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 147:11 NIV
The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.
Angela Godwin
Homeland, Florida
Philippians 4:11New Living Translation (NLT)
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalms 46:10 KJV
Barbara Owens – Washington, NC
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV
Dana Jennings, Boone, IA Jesus is my advocate- “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense- Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” 1 John 2:1
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
Tori Gaddis from Lubbock, TX: “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 NIV
Cathy Culver, Lusby, MD.
Let your gentle spirit be know to all men. The Lord is near. Phillipians 4:5 NAS
Susan Stevens, Huntsville, Arkansas. “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
Julie Frost from Sparks, NV Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.~Psalm 143:8 ESV
Mallory Krieger, Wichita, KS
“Fear not for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name; You are mine.” Isaiah 43:1b
Julie Anderson, Lincoln, NE “…according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.” Haggai 2:5 ESV
Laura Prater, Tuscaloosa, AL. ” See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
Sarah Kukshtel- Warner Robins, GA
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (â€Hebrews‬ â€10‬:â€22‬ ESV)
January 7, 2015 at 1:16 pm
Kari Steward-Meadowlakes, TX
“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” 2 Cor. 4:6
Jessica Picciotti, Cypress, TX. “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Great verse!!! I live in The Woodlands, Tx.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit ,but in humility consider others better than yourself. Phillipians 2:3
Shannon Eckley, Waco, TX “The boundary lines have fallen to me in pleasant places.” NIV
Mary, Chesapeake,VA
When I said, “My foot is slipping”, your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. Palm 94:18 NIV
Tammie Head, Cypress, TX. “When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion, we were like those who dream.” Psalm 126:1 NASB
Katie Carruth, Charlotte, NC. “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7 ESV
Jami Carey, Fishers, IN
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Carrie Hays, Houston, TX
Psalm 84:1 NIV
“How lovely is your dwelling place,Lord Almighty!”
Robin Oas, Irving, TX “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (ESV) Psalms 119:11
Sarah Wyatt, Garland, TX “I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11 NIV
Christine – San Diego, CA. “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.” John 15:7 NIV