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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But forget all that. It is nothing compared to what I am going to do. 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 43:18-19 NLT
Sorry for the late post! God has been nudging me but I took me a while to be obedient.
Amber, Fort Worth
Do all things without grumbling or disputing. Philippians 2:14 ESV
Kim, Knoxville, TN
But forget all that. It is nothing compared to what I am going to do. 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 43:18-19 NLT
Sorry for the late post! God has been nudging me but it took me a while to be obedient.
Karyn, Uncasville, CT
This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
1 John 3:11 (NLT)
Philippians 4:6 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Is.26:3 You will Keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, is the Rock eternal
Emily Hayes. Conway, Arkansas. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
And he said unto me, My Grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
Karen- Anderson, SC So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 5:16 NLT
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Phil. 4:4 KJV
Terri K., Hartsville, SC
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8 NKJV
Vicki Sandifer
Eufaula
Psalms 16:5
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; You hold my lot.
Kristin S., Benbrook, TX
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 ESV
Chandra, Centerton, AR: Great is His faith faithulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:23 (NLT)
Darlene Gardner, PA
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. Philippians 4:12
Margaret Russell Atlanta, Tx.
1Chron.16:8 KJV
“Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12, NIV
Tabatha Picard
Somerset, KY
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Isaiah 26:3, NIV
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. Psalm 1:1, NIV
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NIV84
Susan H, Sevierville, TN
Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffereed a little. 1 Peter 5:10 HCSB
Tracy Randol, Archie, MO…Romans 12:2 (NASB) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Ginger Jones, Magnolia, AR
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NASB
Whitney Jordan from New Orleans, LA
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (â€Colossians‬ â€4‬:â€6‬ NIV)
Illinois
How great is the love the Father lavished on us that we should be called children of God and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is because it did not know Him. I John 3:1 NIV
Alicia Thompson, Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines
For the LORD your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. He did this so that all the nations of the earth might know the power of the LORD, and that you might fear the LORD your God forever.” -Joshua 4:23-24 (NLT)
Sherry Taylor, Murrayville, GA, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. Daniel 2:20-21 English Standard Version
Ana, Tampa FL
“Now I want you to know, bothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel”. Phil 1:12 NIV
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden” Matthew 5:14 I believe this is pretty plain and simple…ands Christians we should not hide or be afraid, we should be the light of the world, out in the open, not hidden.
Ramona Greene, Morgan, Utah
I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
Romans 12:1 NAS
“You will keep in perfect peace
Those who minds are steadfast
Because they trust in you,
Trust in The Lord forever,
For The Lord, The Lord himself is eternal.
Isaiah 26:3-4
Kayla
Buckhannon, WV
“So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him, “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:15
NLT
Carol H, Cashion, OK “Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in holy array.” Psalm 29:1-2, NASB
James 3:17. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
English standard version
Maria D. Goodyear, AZ
Never Stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belongs to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Jackie Roth, Milford, NE
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
1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. ESV
Ashley Maughan, Tremonton Utah
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 1 John 5:1 ESV
And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Phil: 4:19
Stephanie, Jackson, MS
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 NIV
Teresa Shaw, Goodlettsville, TN
“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)
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. Romans 10:17
Nicole Earls, Forks, WA
…Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.
Philippians 2:12-13, NLT
Missy Farrington, Scottsdale, AZ When I am afraid, I will trust in you. Psalm 56:4
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken,”
Psalm 62:5-6 NIV
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. (â€Isaiah‬ â€58‬:â€8‬ NIV)
Angela Larson, Woodinville,WA
When thou saidst Seek ye my face; my heart
Brooke Fischer, Nampa, Idaho
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,” Hebrews 12.28 ESV
Marsha, Batesville, Ms
Ephesians 4: 31-32 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger,clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
And be kind to one another,tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. NKJV