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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kathi Whittamore, Benton, AR – But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)
Fredonia, PA
“Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalms 37: 3-4 (ESV)
Ashley Graves, Stephenville, TX: “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” – Psalm 23:1 NKJV
Brandywine, Maryland
“I publicly proclaim bold promises. I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner. I would not have told [you] to seek me if I could not be found. I, the LORD, speak only what is true and declare only what is right.”
Isaiah 45:19 (NLT)
Beth Fillis, Pittsville, MD: “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.” Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
Commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Bind them to your wrists and wear them on your foreheads as a reminder. Deuteronomy 11:18
Heather Drake, Bowling Green, Ky.
But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. (â€2 Thessalonians‬ â€3‬:â€3, 5‬ ESV)
2 Corinthians 5:7
Marsha DeFelice, Hahira, GA
“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV
Roberta, Bremerton
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
[1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV]
Terri, Cadillac, Michigan “Now to Him who is able to do FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20 ESV
Teresa Collier – Jackson, TN
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God, the Father through Him.” Col 3:17 (NIV)
Wendi Burkholder from St. Marys, Ohio
Proverbs 31:25
She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future.
Bella Vista, AR
Psalm 1
Lois, Centerton–Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. NIV
Blythewood, SC
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10 (KJV)
Independence MO
Blythewood, SC
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10
(KJV)
Kacey, Sante Fe, NM I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 NIV
The word God speaks is alive and full of power (making it active, operative energizing and effective. Hebrews 4:12
Holly Johnson, Shreveport, LA “Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Romans 13:10 NIV
Kim Avoy, Los Gatos CA
My body and my heart may grow weak, but God is the strength of my heart and all I need forever. Psalm 73:26
This touched me, as my young friend went to Heaven on Jan. 7th. This gives me hope and peace.
Ashley Berkowitz San Antonio TX
1 Peter 3:1-2
It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom. – Galatians 5:13-14 (The Message)
Barbara from Springfield, MO
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26 KJV
Deut 31.8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He is with you. He will never leave or forsake you. Do not fear or despair.
Genesis 49:23-24
With bitterness archers attacked him;
They shot at him with hostility.
But his bow remained steady,
His strong arms stayed limber,
Because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob,
Because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel
Tammy Minnick
Vilonia AR
For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€19‬ NLT)
‘Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.’
Eph 6:10 kjv
““Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.” (â€John‬ â€15‬:â€4‬ MSG)
I love the first part of this version. Live in Me. So simple yet I struggle so deeply with it. Then to recognize that He makes His home in me. I love this.
Beth Bolvito, Chantilly, VA:
Hebrews 4:16, NIV
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Heidi Nielson, Stow, MA “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green and they never stop producing fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV
Julie, Olathe, KS
For I know the thoughts I think toward you says The Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. NKJV
Lois, Centerton-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
Debra Shorts from Alexandria, Virginia
I Thessalonians 4:3
God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin.
Stephanie Zeilstra, Kansas City, Mo. Hebrews 4:14 For you have become partakers of Christ if we hold he beginning o our confidence steadfasat to that end.
Luke 10:41-42 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:40-41 NIV
Valerie Hoft – Los Angeles, CA
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.
Psalm 89:14 NIV
Sherrie Bell, San Antonio, TX “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” Romans 8:16 NKJV
Teach me your way,O Lord and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart,that I may fear your name.
Psalm 86:11
Trust in Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will on all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Annalette, Perth, Australia. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV
This is eternal life that you know Him, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3 NIV
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Ps 91:1 NKJV
And walk in love as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us,am offering and a sacrifice to God as a sweet smelling aroma
Eph 5:2 NKJV
Judy from Las Vegas, NV “Let them construct a sanctuary for Me that I might dwell among them.” Ex 25:8 NASB
Christi Taylor from Phoenix, AZ. Because God is teaching me about the fine line between His work and my obedience….
Proverbs 16:9 – “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
Norwood, MA
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace, at all times, in all ways. The Lord be with all of you.
2 Thes 3:16, NRSV.
Tammy Prouty, Mount Vernon, WA. “Therefore, I urge you,brothers, in view of God’s mercy,to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1 NIV