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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bartlesville, OK
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Phillipians 3:14 NIV
Kelly Collins, Forney, Texas “Serve wholeheartedly as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever they do, whether they are slave or free.” Ephesians 6:7-8 NIV
Danielle Barnes Paducah KY
1 john 2:17
The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever
Cheryl Lewis, Mont Belvieu, Texas. “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
Tara Davis , Tuscaloosa , Al ~ ‘ You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down;
You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O Lord’. Psalm 139: 1-4 NIV
Ephesus 5:1 ESV Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. 2 Samuel 22:33 NIV
Kristen, Wharton, TX
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for The Lord your God is with you where ever you go.” Joshua 1:9 New American Standard
Karla Perez, Naples, FL
“He must become greater; I must become less.”
John 3:30 NIV
Teresa, Dallas TX – NIV Mark 9:23 Everything is possible for him who believe.
Lauren Gross, Alexandria, LA
Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 NKJV
Melissa, Murfreesboro, TN
He put on righteousness as his body armor and placed the helmet of salvation on his head. He clothed himself with a robe of vengeance and wrapped himself in a cloak of divine passion.
Isaiah 59:17 NLT
Carolyn
Indianapolis, IN
Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end.
Lamentations 3:22 HCSB
511 W. Wade Hampton Blvd.
I am the vine; you are the branches.If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me, you can do nothing.John 15:5 NIV
What a perfect verse from you, my friend! Your life is evidence that you stay connected!
Fawnda Dooley, Denton,TX
“For to me, to live is Christ to die is gain.”
Phil 1:21 NIV
Psalm 42:5
Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? My hope is in God and I wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, my Help and my God.
“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
Alicia Freed, Urbandale, Iowa. “A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” Proverbs 25:28 (NLT)
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (KJV)
Please send me the verses each time to memorise. Thank you
Hi Lillian! You are welcome to select your own verses to memorize, as Beth shared in the Instruction post, or of course you can choose to memorize the one that is shared on the Blog. Either is perfectly fine! Just come back to the LPM Blog each 1st & 15th to submit your choice. See you tomorrow for Verse 2, and welcome to SSMT!
Mandi Hall, Williston, Fl, ‘You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’ Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”
John 1:16 ESV
Isaiah 40:28
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
Proverbs 30:5 NIV
“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
Proverbs 30:5 NIV
“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
Proverbs 30:5 NIV
“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
Lisa Kissinger Columbia City, Indiana
Philippians 4:6
Don’t worry about anything. Tell God what you need,and thank him for all he has done.
Proverbs 30:5 NIV
“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
Lisa Chow,Alpharetta,GA
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in
the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 NIV
Psalms 16:11
We must learn to seek God’s face and not just His hand. Seeking God for Who He is, not just for what He can do for us, assures us “fullness of joy” and is vital to our victory as believers.
Vale, Oregon
But I call to God and the LORD saves me. Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. Psalms 55: 16-17 (NIV)
With my whole heart Imhave sought you; Oh let me not wander from your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You. -Psalm 119:10-11
Yuba City, CA
Jeremiah 33:3 (NIRV)
3 Call out to me. I will answer you. I will tell you great things you do not know. And unless I do, you wouldn’t be able to find out about them.”
John 10:27
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
KJV
Becky Schuck Conway AR For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.
Mendy – Cary, NC
Search me, 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.
Psalm 139:23-24
Elizabeth Repsher, Petal, MS, “But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.” Luke 8:15 (NAS)
Nancy Njoroge, Houston, TX. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13.
Florence Gilmore, Arcadia, California. “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD us the Rock Eternal.” Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world. But be transformed by the renewing of your mind then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
Luann, Harlan, Iowa “Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit.” Proverbs 25:28 NASB
Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 1John 3:1 KJV
Isaiah 44:7 “I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist, return to me, for I have redeemed you.” NIV
Rose K., Oneida, TN, ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.’ Jeremiah 29:11(KJV)
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Tori Tennessee So let the wicked perish at the presence of God. Psalms 68:2 NIV
Lori, Turner Valley, Alberta – And he who was seated on the throne said, “I am making something new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Let all things be done decently and in order. -1 Corinthians 14:40
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Kay, Simpson, LA
“And you will know the truth, And the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 ESV