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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Romans 8:1 Therefor there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
John11:4 this sickness will not end in death- NO! It’s for God’s Glory, so that Gods son may be glorified.
Diagnosed with breast cancer… Not in lymph nodes đ
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14 NIV
Lea Ann Goodman, Lexington, KY. “I tell you, her sins – and they are many – have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”
Luke 7:47 NLT
Laura, San Angelo, Texas, Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23 NIV
Cindy, Houston, TX. “See, I am doing a nedw 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
Kim, Columbus, OH. “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.” Revelation 17:14 NIV
I didn’t post yesterday so here are my two:
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
1Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.
“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
“But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” Romans 8:25
Look to the Lord and His strength: Seek His face always.
Psalm 105:4 NIV
Debbie Evans, Hendersonville,TN. Psalm 34:3 Glorify the Lord with me,let us exalt His name together. NIV
Debbie Allen, Thornton, Colorado. “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.’ (Psalms 28:7)
Cristy Ricker, Goodlettsville, TN. He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? ESV
Robin Shackleford, Hendersonville, TN. “In him and thru faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” Ephesians 3:12 NIV
Dottie Bachtell, Longview, TX. “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Romans 14:19 NIV
Jeanne Bugg Bethany, OK Romans 11:5-6
“A few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace–his undeserved kindness in choosing them. And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works.” NLT
Tara Armstrong, Wellington, FL “Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.” Psalm 90:14 NLT
Hendersonville, TN
“Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is The Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deut. 31:6
Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. (NIV)
Tiffany Ramsey, Chicago, IL. “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,” 2 Corinthians 4:17, ESV.
Karen Kaiser, Fort Dodge, IA. “For I know the plans I have for your, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Kimberly Waller, Moultrie, Georgia. ” In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” Psalm 5:3 NIV
Bonnie Tesseyman, Tyler TX. “No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.” Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT)
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 will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
18,981!!! This HAS to be a Siesta First!!! How thrilling!!!
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
“For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of troubel!” Psalm 143:11 ESV
Joyce Dalzell, Abilene, Tx
Be the best In this work of grace in the same way that you are the best in everything, such as faith, speech, knowledge, total commitment, and the love we inspired in you
2 Corinthians 8:7
Andree, Evansville, IN “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,, gentleness and patience” Colossians 3:12
Kathi Bowers, Macungie, PA
“We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB
Sarah Timmerman, Durham, North Carolina
“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.” Deuteronomy 33:12 NIV
Barb Brunton, Emerson, NE. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galations 5:22-23 NIV
Mandy Russell
Raymond, MS
“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1Thessalonians 1:3 NIV
Donna, Nashville, TN
“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NAS
Brenna L., Chatham, IL. “All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him.” Colossians 2:3 HCSB
Dana Walters, Covington, LA “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of Godâs mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Godâthis is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1 NIV
Be strong and courageous, do not be terrified, do not be discouraged – for The Lord your God is with you wherever you may go. Joshua 1:9
“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
Sue Benjamin, MI Hebrews 3:12-13 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. NIV
Sonya Ball, West Union, SC: âSo we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.â Corinthians 4:16-18
Gray, Tn
1 Timothy 2:1
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people
Stacy Stidham Medina, TN “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it’s own. Matt. 6:34
Hanna Yara, Booker, TX. Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes”, says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” Revelation 14:13 NIV
Erin Beil, Sneads Ferry, NC. “But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.” Psalms 3:3 NLT
Stephanie from Tilden, Texas:
What no eye has soon, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those that love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV
Alida Willis, Fort Madison, IA. “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NIV
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NIV