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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lauren Wells, Loveland, OH. ” For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.” Psalm 149:4 ESV
Lorie, Houston,TX, Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. (â€Hebrews‬ â€10‬:â€23‬ ESV)
Sherree, Mansfield, TX
16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Ephesians 3:16 (NLT)
Windsor, CO “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)
Chicago, Illinois. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all you ways acknowledge Him, and He shall will make straight your paths.” Prov. 3:5-6 ESV
Laura Stovall, DeQuincy, LA
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13 NKJV (My favorite verse)
vicki tarver, Columbus ms, “and though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains and have not love I am nothing.” 1Corinthians 13:2 KJV
Lori, Magnolia, AR
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15, NNIV
Lauren Kliewer, Edmond, OK. “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 NLT
Rhonda Burnette, Danville, VA (Ephesians 1:4 NIV)
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love
Cheryl Alexander, Tucson, AZ
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Cor. 10:31 NIV
“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?” Micah 6:8 ESV
“Thus says the Lord, who makes a way through the sea and a path through the mighty waters.”
Isaiah 43:16 NASB
Ashley, Houston, TX.
But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” Psalm 31:14 ESV
Gloucester Virginia
Trust in the Lord with All your Heart. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Proverb 3:5-7 NIV
Lynnette, Houston, TX, USA
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Sorry I just got this posted; I was busy making my spiral. LOL Totally JK (I couldn’t get on to post for a while – did we crash the blogosphere?!)
I’m going to be bad and break the rules here and I’m not normally a rules-breaker. I just have to say it’s amazing how much this has grown over the years! Over 19,000 responses posted for Verse 1 2015 so far! Go God! If everyone here had 24 verses by year’s end and could travel to Houston, we’d need to have a celebration at the Toyota Center or NRG Stadium (with the roof closed for January – brr!)!! And that’s a whole lot of sheet cake!
Anna Lange, Mobile, Alabama.
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God. Ephesians 2:19 KJV
“I call to remembrance my song in the night; with my heart I meditate and my spirit searches diligently.” Psalm 77:6 AMP
Kathy Merrill, Brevard, NC
Psalm 103: Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. NIV
Angela, Jefferson City, MO
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.
Psalm 136:1
Jenn, Franklin, NC
Romans 12:9 NLT “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.”
Lee Anne M., Litchfield Park, AZ
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23 NLT
Ephesians 1:11 (KJV)
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Laurie Blaha Wichita KS – O LORD, You have searched me and known me. Psalm 139:1 New American Standard
Karen, Saint Petersburg, FL
An excellent wife is the crown of her husband. I am an excellent wife. -Proverbs 12:4, NKJV
Diane Heinze, York NE – 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. Philippians 3:8 NKJV
Emily C. Surprise, AZ
Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8
Morgan Bacon
Orlando, FL
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 ESV
I’m being a copycat. I’m going to memorize Proverbs 15:1 as well from the NIV:
A gentle answer turns away wrath,but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Charley F. – Wood River, NE
I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on your wondrous works.
Psalm 145:5 NKJV
Diane; Runnells, IA I give You thanks with all my heart. Not to idols, but to You I sing praise. Psalm 138:1 CJB
Jordan
Phoenix, AZ
“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
Debbie Ebert, Joplin, Mo
“Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Jen W, Claremore, Ok
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isiah 41:13 NIV
Kellie S. Goodyear, AZ
Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:4
Denise S., Greer, SC
What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31, NET
Sandra S., Lemoore, CA.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:”
“a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away.” Ecclesiastes 3:1,6 NIV
“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
Johanna, Stigler OK
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Phillippians 2:3
Stephanie O., Pawleys Island, SC
I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Psalm 16:8 (ESV)
Jeanie Bartley, Odessa, Texas. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 KJV
Lori in Chiang Mai, Thailand
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:4-5 (NASB)
Megan F. Oak Ridge, TN.
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14, NIV
Siabhon Richards, Phenix City, AL
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 1:7 NIV
Amy, Richmond, TX
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
Jeremiah 29:12 NIV
Krista Thomas, Henderson, Nevada
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. -Romans 15:13
Shanna Gardner
Modesto, California
1 Corinthians 13:1- If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
Shanna
Modesto, Ca.
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. – 1Corinthians 13:1 New International Version
Mary
Winter Park, FL
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?
Rom 6:1 ESV
I prayed for this child,and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. 1 Samuel 1:27 NIV