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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Caroline Cruce, Athens, Georgia.
“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17 (NIV)
From Seneca, Illinois
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Holly Bailey, Benton, AR
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV
One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. (â€Proverbs‬ â€11‬:â€24-25‬ ESV)
Christina Baker Houston, Texas. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3John: 4. NIV
Libby Clark, Joplin, MO
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
Lisa Ashworth, Arlington, Texas
Isaiah 41:10
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.
Lancaster, PA
Proverbs 3: 5-6. 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.
“Be still and know I am God; I will be exalted among nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”ps 46:10
Lillian Palos, Fort Worth, TX
Isaiah 40:29
” He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak”
Stephanie, Sedley, VA
Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14
From Ontario, Canada
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7 KJV
Tonia B,Wilson. NC And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. John 1:16 KJV
Penny Harbinson, Keswick, On, Canada
It is a gift from God. Salvation is
not a reward for the good things we have done, so
none of us can boast about it. Eph. 2:8b-9 NLT
Michele ~ Kenosha, WI
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
James 5:16b NIV
Laurie Bolthouse, Littleton, CO
“O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.” Psalm 139:1 (NIV)
Jenn from Houston “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you.'” Hebrews 13:5NIV
Kathy S – Westerville, OH
“For your Maker is your husband – the Lord Almighty is His name – the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth.” Isaiah 54:5 NIV
Cari Lombardi from McHenry, IL
“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Col 3:14 (NIV)
Lisa, Fredericktown, “My dear brothers, take note of this. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry;” James 1:19, NIV
Danelle~Lamar, MO
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (NIV)
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be alike a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes, its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV)
Abby Smith in Troy, OH. My life verse:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
Jackson, TN
I forgot to post for this set (I have one set with family, one with a friend…this is the one with a friend):
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings.
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 1:1-3 NIV
Diane Smith, Nederland, Texas. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11
Joyce from Chelmsford, MASS.
1 Corinthians 2:9,10 “”No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him, but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.”
Lori Krueger, Leawood, KS. ‘Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God.’ Colossians 3:16 NET
“For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love & self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Regina, RBS, TN.
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.” Eph. 3:20 NAS
Courtney Kraemer, Houma, LA
Now Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel.
Ezra 7:10, HCSB
Crystal, Loraine, IL
Isaiah 58:11 Living Bible (TLB)
11 And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy you with all good things, and keep you healthy too; and you will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.
Isaiah 33:2New International Version (NIV)
2 Lord, be gracious to us;
we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
our salvation in time of distress
Stephanie Hayslip, Fort Worth, TX. “There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 ESV
Paula Rockwood, Brunswick, Maine. “O LORD, you have searched me and known me!” Psalm 139:1
Paula,Gillett, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 NIV
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. James4:6(NIV) Twyla McAmis, Cleveland, Tennessee.
Carol Barba, Round Rock, Texas
“Father, I thank You that You heard me. I know that You always hear me…”
John 11:41 HCSB
Shannon Mohr, Marion, IL. Let us not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 NIV
Katy, Springfield, AR “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” Psalm 28:7 ESV
Kelli Owens, Dewitt AR, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others before yourselves.”, Philippians 2:3 NIV
Polly L, Charlottesville, VA
“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)
Terry Bremer, Fanhões-Loures, Portugal As a prisoner of the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Eph 4:1 NIV
John 3:16 NIV
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Heather, Denver, CO. “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NIV)
Tami, Gatesville, TX “But the Lord will redeem those who serve Him. No One who takes refuge in Him will be condemned.” Psalm 34: 22 (NLT)
Nikki McCauley, Maryland
For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
Isaiah 41:13 (ESV)
Heather N- Fort Myers Fl-
Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth ( NIV )
Zan Raymond, Inman, SC I will shout for joy and sing your praises for you have ransomed me! Psalm 71:23 NLT
Leah , Kansas City, MO
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11 Today’s New International Version (TNIV)
Jennie, Oregon
You crown the year with your good blessings,
and you leave abundance in your wake. Psalm 65:11 (NET)