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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ashley Huntington; Hattiesburg, Mississippi
“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.” Psalm 63:3 (NIV)
Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
Psalm 96:6 NIV
Dee, Las Vegas, NV
“May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.” Colossians 1:11 ESV
Stephanie, Garner, IA “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” NIV
Psalm 34:18 If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, He’ll help you catch your breath. The MSG
Sydney, Cheverly,
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:6, ESV
Sue Starling of Modesto, CA
“I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Luke 18:17 NIV
James 1:22 (NIV)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says
Caitlin, McKinney, Texas
Therefore, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 1 Peter 4:7, NIV
Kristin S., Chandler, Ok
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched- this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 1 John 1:1
LeeAnne from Baxley, GA 🙂
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:33 (NASB)
Psalm 57:5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!
Vickie R. Gainesville, Tx
O lord, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. (Psalms 25:1, 2 NLT)
Susan Williams, Cortland, Ohio. “‘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 a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Caron Palmer, Killeen, Texas “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” Philippians 2:1-2 NIV
Jill, Troy, KS,
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:13 NIV
Holly
Lake Clarke Shores, FL
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
James 1:19 NIV
Reagan Martin, North Richland Hills, Texas “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. “(â€1 Corinthians‬ â€15‬:â€57-58‬ ESV)
Jessica P., Lakeland, FL
Arise,shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. -Isaiah 60:1
Kay Swanson, Lewisburg, PA
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
I Corinthians 16:14 – Let all that you do, be done in Love.❤️
Joni foxworth, ms
I have set the Lord always before. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8
Karen: Amarillo, TX. “Finally be strong in the LORD and in the strength of His might.” Ephesians 4:10 ESV
Amanda J., Corsicana, TX
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22 (NIV)
Shirley, Lawrenceville, GA -For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment. – Luke 1:37 AMP
Rhonda McClellan, Newnan, Georgia
“But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.” Psalm 71:14 NIV
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Jennifer Stewart, Tustin, CA
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19 NIV
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalms 51:10 NIV
Tammy, Dothan, Al. “You were bought with a price; do not become bond servants of men.” 1Corinthians 7:23 ESV
Karen DiProspero, Martinsville, NJ
Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He. I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Isaiah 46:4 (NIV)
:Many are the plans in a persons heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Jan, Riesterstown, Maryland, Above all, love each other deply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8, NIV
Tiffany, Fort Collins, CO
“Faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News of Christ”
Romans 10:17
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free, stand firm then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery
Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
Judy Gentry, Stigler, OK fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Gwen Beard, Edina Minnesota
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:4
Jessica Nickerson, Mineral Wells Texas, “The one who listens to you listens to me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” Luke 10:16
Lisa Claremore, Oklahoma
You can be sure of this: the Lord set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to him. Psalms 4:3
Elaine Baker, Alvin, TX, do everything without complaining so that you may be found blameless and pure children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation in which you will shine like tge stars of the universe. Phil 2:14 &15 nlt
Whitney Amos, Temple, TX
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7 (NRSV)
Falyn Hall, LaGrange, GA
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
From the ends of the earth, I cry to for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge. A fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!
psalm 61:2-4
Cassi, Paris, Tx
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NIV
Tanya, Lorton, VA
James 5:16 (NIV)
Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Theresa Jackman, Midlothian TX. “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself; is not puffed up.” 1Cor13:4 NKJV
Kim, Batesville, Ms
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV
Kim, Flint, MI
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 ESV
cara baird, fountain, co. Jeremiah 29:11 nasb ” For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”