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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Asheville, NC
But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand;
Psalm 31:14-15a ESV
Ephesians 2:10New Living Translation (NLT)
10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Paula, San Antonio TX
Trish, Morganfield, Ky
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Phil. 2:3 NIV
Melanie–Bowling Green, KY:
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. (â€Romans‬ â€1‬:â€8-10‬ ESV)
Ask and it will given you;search,and you find;knock,and door will be opened for you. Matthew 7.7
From Stillwater, OK
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Verse is from ESV translation
Matthew 7:13 NASB
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
“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
Be strong and Courageous because The Lord my God is with me. He will never leave or forsake me. Deut. 31:6.
Dendi, Altamont, NY
But the eyes of The Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love,; We wait in hope for The Lord; He is our help and our shield. (Psalm 33:18,20 NIV)
“But He knows where I am going and when He tests me I will come out as pure gold.”
Job 23:10 ESV
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3 NIV
Joshua 1:9. Do not be afraid or discouraged for The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew. In Christ Jesus so we can do the good work he intended for us long ago.
Nicole- Soperton, GA
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40: 30-31 (NIV)
Sebring, FL 1 John 3:18
18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (NIV)
Rachel Webb, uk,
The Spirit of the Sovereign lord is upon me, for the lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. Isaiah 61:1 NLT
Anne, Morristown, TN
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs3:5-6. NIV
Lauren Bratcher from Big Spring, Texas: Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (â€Ephesians‬ â€4‬:â€3‬ NIV)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 ESV
Heather Stevenson Raleigh, NC
“Listen, O Daughter, Consider and give ear. Forget your people and your father’s house.”
Psalms 45:10 NSV
Tomball, Texas
Kelly-
For the Lord longs to be gracious to you. He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice, blessed are all who wait for him. Isaiah 30:18 NIV
Meagan-
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2-3 NIV
Jayden-
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesian 4:29 ESV
Taryn-
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Kim N CT
Ephesians 2:10
And this is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, Phil 1:9 ESV
Hannah Carmichael, Georgia,
“The Law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statues of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7
Galatians 2:20 NASB
I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Kristen: Naperville, Illinois
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Heidi Schmidt, Omak WA
Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust in me. John 14:1 NIV
Dolly Niehaus – Indianapolis, IN
“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 10:5 NIV
Dawn, Clay Center, KS. “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
James 1:19, 20 – My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. NIV
amy bright; springfield, illinois
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:30-31 (ESV)
“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,”
Jenny Kuettel, Weatherford, “how, then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” Romans 10:14, old NIV
God bless
Sharon Bowling Green, KY
I John 1: 9 “If we confess our sins,he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Sherry from Independence, Oregon: “Wait on the Lord, Be of good courage. And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14(NKJV)
Tammie Brown – Phoenix, AZ
For you equipped me with strength for the battle; You made those who rise against me sink under my feet.
2 Samuel 22:40
Kelly Parker, Shreveport, La “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”. Matthew 7:7 NIV
Tina from Dix Hills, NY
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
I accidentally posted on the wrong post. Here’s my verse:
Alexis, San Angelo, TX
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” James 1:19-21 ESV
I am so EXCITED!!!!!
Andrea, Pottstown, January 11, 2015
But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believe in God and so I speak.”
2 Corinthians 4:13 NLT
Linda H Houston, TX
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
Rachel, Elizabethtown, PA
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:20 MSG
Rita Quinlan – Alva, FL
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
Barb, Riverside, CA
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (â€Philippians‬ â€4‬:â€6‬ NIV)
Jen Evans Lodi Ohio
Matthew 11:28 NIV Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest.