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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kara McLendon – Raleigh, NC
Psalm 16:8-11 English Standard Version
“I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore!”
People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and than are angry at the Lord. Proverbs 19:3
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV
Elizabeth
Hernando, MS
ESV “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4
Kimi Bryson, Denver CO/Wheaton IL.
“But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered…. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” Luke 5:15-16 ESV
Candy Dodd, Fort Worth, TX
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (â€Galatians‬ â€6‬:â€9‬ NIV)
Jen Smith – Lutz, FL
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.” Psalm 37:5 ESV
Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
Be still and know that I am God
Matthew 6:34 ESV
Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Sarah Aiton, Newburgh, IN :
I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,to the one who seeks him;it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:19-26
Susanna, Ross, CA
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, Oh Lord, God of hosts.”
Jeremiah 15:16 ESV
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 Nash
Wendy Hornback, Windsor, Colorado
Newer believer (9.21.13) … So excited to participate!
“You Shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment” Matthew 22:37–38. ESV
Stephanie, Cordova, TN
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 NIV
My name is Barbara and I live in May, TX. The scripture I have chosen for my first memory verses is I Thess. 5: 16-18
Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing,
in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 NKJ
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. (â€2 Corinthians‬ â€10‬:â€5‬ NIV)
Frances San Angelo, TX. Proverbs 18:10 KJV “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”
Jan, Marion IA
Acts 1:8 “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
NASB
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man in Christ,he is a new creature:old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Sara Ferrell Richmond, VA “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (â€Ephesians‬ â€1‬:â€3‬ NIV)
1 Peter 3:8-9 NASB
To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
Kathy from Galt CA
Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me O God and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” NIV
Elizabeth Rush, Independence, Missouri. “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 KJV
My first verse is Proverbs 31:25.
“She is clothed in strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
1 Thes. 5 16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
NIV
Jill Kincannon-Jonesboro, Arkansas
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastic for the Lord, for you know nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT
And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory in her midst. Zechariah 2:5 ESV
Psalm 138:8 “The Lord will fulfill His purpose purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.”
Reminds me that even though my contributions seem small, God can use them to achieve His purpose.
Heather Kelley
Sherman, Texas
Because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth. Rev 3:16 (NET)
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 NIV Kent, WA
Psalm 37:3 “Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt though dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”
What this says to me is:
Always trust him no matter what and we will always be in His presence and be fed with His word! Praise God!
1 Corinthians 13:4 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”
God’s love is the truest and purest. It is never ending!
Sheri
Georgetown,TX
Luke 5:16
But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness to pray. (NASB)
“finally, be strong in The Lord and His mighty power.” Ephesians 5:10
“finally, be strong in The Lord and his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10
**i feel like it’s going to be an especially hard year for my people and I need to be Armored Up!!
Psalm 37:4-5
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this:
Lisa Snyder in Montgomery, TX
Hebrews 1:12B The Message
But you stay the same, year after year;
you’ll never fade, you’ll never wear out.
Betsy Graham, Fort Campbell, KY “we destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV
Melanie, Dacula, Georgia
“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17 NAS
Always be full of Joy in the Lord; I say it again, rejoice! let everyone see that you are unselfish and considerate in all you do. Philippians 4:4-5
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
Col. 3:16 NIV
Esther 4:14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
Nichole Peters, Caneyville, KY – “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates both day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2
Charissa Cole – Nashville, TN
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this. -Psalm‬ â€37‬:â€4-5‬
Cathy Shea, Alpharetta, GA – “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” New Living Translation
Wanda Bishop, Tijeras, NM
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, NIV
Cathy Shea, Alpharetta, GA – Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” New Living Translation
Rachel Stephens, Guin, Alabama-
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen..” -Ephesians 3:20-21 KJV
Sarah Bandy – Webb City, MO
“The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.”
Psalm 34:17 NIV