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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Angela, Aurora, NE – “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:3-4 NIV84
Philippians 4 v6 (new living translation)
Don’t worry about anything instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.
Lisa A, Frisco, “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (â€Hebrews‬ â€12‬:â€14‬ NIV)
Phil 4:8 NKJV
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.
Jennifer, Topeka, Kansas ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD,’plans for welfare and not calamity to give you a future and a hope’ Jeremiah 29:11 NAS
Betsy, Virginia Beach, VA–“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does The Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”–Micah 6:8–NASV
Karen Casey in Lakeland, Florida
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Therefore, as God ‘s chose people,holy and dearly loved,clothe yourself with compassion,kindness,,humility, gentleness and patience.
Sarah, Houghton NY.
“Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” Prov. 3:17
Phil 4:8 NKJV
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
Kelly, Valparaiso Indiana
Romans 15:13, NIV
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.
kerri myers in kansas city!
psalms 65:4 esv
blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts.
we shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house. the holiness of your temple.
Gwen Valles, Fort Collins, Colorado. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8 ESV
Robyn Stokes, Burleson, TX
For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10 HCSB
Hi Storey! This is Kelly Offutt in Marble Falls! Saw your post and wanted to say hi!!
Smyrna, Delaware
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Raleigh, NC Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Ephesians 1:3
Angelica, New Orleans, 1 Corinthians 1:30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. (NIV)
Virginia Edenfield Rincon Ga- Let the Word of God dwell in you richly Col 3:16
Hilltop Lakes, TX “Proverbs 3:5 New Living Translation (NLT)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
“Be strong and let us use our strength for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.”
1 Chronicles 19:13
Colossians 3:12(NLT)
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
The what the Lord says; a voice is heard in Ramah, a lament with bitter weeping- Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children ,because they are no more. Jeremiah 31:15
Ann Harrison Waterloo, IA I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father. John 14:12 AMP
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9
Natalie, Indianapolis, IN
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Connie B., Waco, Texas
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 NIV
Beth Howard~ Gillette, Wyoming
I Thessalonians 5:23
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Storey Heintzelman, San Antonio, Texas “God can do anything, you know — far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us. ” Ephesians 3.20 The Message
Cathy, Winnabow NC
Luke 2:52, NASB
And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Debby Sawtell. Cypress Tx
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
Robin M, Rockwall, TX. No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. (â€Micah‬ â€6‬:â€8‬ NLT)
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
Spencerville, Ohio
I love this verse which is coming from my hometown in Spencerville, Oh. It has carried me many, many years through many difficulties. Thank you for posting.
Rowena Hay, Houston,TX
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3 NIV
Cassie Edmond Oklahoma
For God so loved the world. NIV
Stacey Emmott-Tomball, Tx Isaiah 41:10 NIV
So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you & help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Marci Brokish, Cleveland TN
Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul. – Psalm 143:8 NASB
Jennifer Maier, Edon, 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 hope and a future.” NIV
Santa Clarita, CA. Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (NIV)
Nancy, Nederland TX
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 NIV
As for me, I will always have hope. I will praise you more and more.
Psalm 71:14 NIV
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27 NIV
Kailyn Miller, Pineville, Louisiana
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Jennifer Parks, Lancaster, California
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27 NIV
Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Many are the plans in a mans heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Lauren Kane, Nashville, Tennessee
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Psalm 68:19 NIV
Lillian Anderson
Florence, KY
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Carol Hulin, Waterloo, ON
You will live secure and full of hope; God will protect you and give you rest. Job 11:18 GNT
Terri, Macon, GA: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Philippians 4:6
Christy, Macon, GA: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Zachary, LA
“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace” Isaiah 55:12a NIV
Stephanie Tellefsen, Surprise, AZ: “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