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) 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:
Your name, city, verse (written all the way out), reference, and translation.
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cal, South Bend, IN
As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous— not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.” Romans 3:10-12 NLT
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)
Sarah Redmond- Houston, TX
“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” Psalm 105:4 NIV
Waupun, WI
Isaiah 33:2 NIV “O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in times of distress.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philip 4:13
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV “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.”
Proverbs 29:1
A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed without remedy.
Logan, Iowa: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 NIV
Monica Rishling; Sioux Falls, SD: When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 118:5-6 NIV
Im from Logan, Iowa.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ~John 1:14 NIV
Betty Stephens, Austin, Texas “O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.” Psalm 139:1 NIV
Ginger from Ringgold, GA
Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23 NLT
Luke 10: 41-42 NIV
“Martha, Martha” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Ruth Stephens, Austin, Texas, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ” James 1:2 NIV
PSALMS 37;4
DELIGHT IN THE LORD AND HE WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART.
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Caren Augsburger, Canyonville, OR. Again He said to me, “Prophesy over these bones and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.'” Ezekiel 37:4 NASB
Karen Field
Cassadaga, NY
Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you.
Psalm 55:22
Atlanta, GA
Late start! Here goes!
“If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” – 1 John 4:20 NIV
At times of deep hurt, I can easily begin to harbor bitterness, resentment, and sometimes even unforgiveness in my heart towards the person whom inflicted the pain. A lot of things absent of love, yet I say, “I love God.” Does this make me a liar? According to the word… This was definitely a thought-provoking scripture for me. How can I love God if I don’t love my brother?
Judith Marcelin, Orlando, Florida. Matthew 7:7 (KJV). Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.
Jeremiah 17:7-8a
Lindsay – Terre Haute, IN – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility value others above yourself.” Philippians 2:3 NIV
St. Louis, Mo.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
Ephesians 3:20
Leah Harrell, Daegu South Korea. How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God. 1 John 3:1
Faith Brown, Dallas Tx. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalms 91:2, ESV
Tiffany Mattson-Pensacola FLorida
Therefore the Lord God said: Look, I have laid a stone in Zion, a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone
a sure foundation;
the one who believes will be unshakable.Isaiah 28:16 (HCSB)
I’ll be out of the country on the 15th and won’t be able to check in with my second scripture. I want to record it now. Thanks for this!
Matthew 24:35 (NIV) Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Dawn Sebek, Hampton, NE. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little whild, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1Peter 5:10 NIV
Cory Carroll, Jay, OK. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit..” Romans 15:13 HCSB
Michelle Stevens, Eucha, OK “in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 KJV
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
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”. Romans 8:38-39 NKJV
Carla Richards, Cincinnati, OH
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peach, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passion and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.”
Galatians 5:22,24 NLT
Lol… Love that the typo in your list of fruits… Is still a fruit 😉
Linda Kubath, Oceanside, CA.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path. Psalms 119;105 NKJV
Audrey Whitacre
Louisville, KY
Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives/
Galatians 5:25
Kellie
Leesville, LA
Psalms 19:14- Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you Oh Lord my Rock and my Redeemer. NIV
Rachel Gregory, Ft. Dauphin, Madagascar “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
Patti Dillman, Auburndale, FL – Create in me a pure heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
Ayanna Memphis, TN 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 hold you up with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Lorraine Haan, New Port Richey FL “For I know that 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
Jennifer, Denham Springs, LA
I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore, choose life, that both you and your descendants may live. Deut. 30:19
Angi, Pelham, AL
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:34 KJV
Ashley Snell, Magnolia, Tx, “For from His fullness we have received Grace upon Grace.” John 1:16, ESV
Murfreesboro, TN
“Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” Romans 8:1 NIV
June Waltenberger, Elburn, IL. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. Ps 121:1-2 ESV
I know what I am doing. I have it all planned out-plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. Jer. 29:11
Oneida, TN
Philippians 4:13 KJV I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Ruth Balch, Richmond, TX
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3: 5 NIV
Jackie UK
“Brothers,I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead. I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.”
3 phillipians 3 13-14 NIV.
Cristin Marposon, West Springfield, VA
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 NIV