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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
NIV
Romans 12: NIV
Do not conform to pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of you mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Susan H., Sevierville, TN
“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
Psalm 65:11
Love it, I may have to do that one next!
Haley Hammett, Nashville, TN
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 NIV
“I will be with you always, I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NIV
Linda- Webb City – Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. ESV
Erin S. from Heath, TX
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.
Hebrews 1:3 NIV
Isaiah 41:10
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you.I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Donna – Henderson, NV -Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Col. 3:16 NKJV
James 4:7-8 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Shirley Goodrich, TX
Sharon from Spokane,WA
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing.” James 1:2-4 KJV
Rita from Upland, Indiana.
Romans 6:1 (HCSB)
What should we say then?
Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply?
Romanos 6:1 (RVC)
Entonces, ¿qué diremos?
ÂżSeguiremos pecando, para que la gracia abunde?
Shannon Q. from Springfield, MO
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with ours to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share in his glory, we must also share in his suffering.
Romans 8:15-17, NLT
Luke 9:23
He said to them all,” if anyone desies to follow Me, let them deny themselces, pick up their cross daily and follow Me.”
Linda – Webb City -(This is the 2nd time I entered this, coz I left off where verse was).
Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. Matthew 16:24 ESV
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua 1:9 KJV
Therefore I say to you do not worry about your life-what you will eat or drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air for they neither reap nor sow nor gather into barns-yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
Matthew 6:25-27 NKJV
This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 KJV
Michelle, Murphysboro, IL “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Ephesians 3:19-20 KJV
Stacy Stidham Medina, TN “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. NO branch can bear fruit by itself, it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:4 NIV
Juli vrotney
Lindale,TX
Philippians4:4 Nkjv
Rejoice in The LORD always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
Jenni Whitaker, Norwalk, IA “Be very careful, then, how you live– not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
Isaiah 59:1 KJV
Dana Johnson, Waterford, WI. “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God” 2 Cor 7:1 NIV
And the Lord said, “My face will precede you and I will give you rest” Exodus 33:14 CPDV
Lisa from Vero Beach, FL
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
Hebrews 12:29-29 NIV
Love it! That has to be on my scripture memory list!
Tammy form Deer Park, WA
Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.
Matthew 15:17-18
Blake from McKinney, TX
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32, ESV
Shamra Taylor
Preston, MS
Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 KJV
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but a heartache crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:13
“He has made everything beautiful in it’s time. He has also set eternity in the human heart, yet no one an fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11
Karen Gilstrap, Deer Park, WA “O our God, will you not execute judgment upon them? For we are powerless against this great multitude that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:12 NRSV
Stephanie from Deer Park, WA
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. There is reserved for me in the future the crown of righteousness.
2 Timothy 4:7-8a HCSB
Paris, Eagan, MN: Colossians 3:16a Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10-NIV
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
Kristi Bean, Nederland, Texas “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 ESV
Kristi Bean, Nederland, Texas “Our soul waits for the LORD;he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him,because we trust in his holy name.Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,even as we hope in you.”
Psalms 33:20-22 ESV
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10-NIV
Patty Lincoln, Columbia, SC “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.” 2 Cor. 10:4 NASB
Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to then in Christ. Ephesians 3:9
Amy Murray, Montgomery, Alabama “In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5
M.Julia Saltus
Las Vegas Nevada
Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.
1 Chronicles 16:11
NASB
Jeremiah 29:11
I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU, DECLARES THE LORD. PLANS TO PROSPER YOU AND NOT TO HARM YOU. PLANS TO GIVE YOU A HOPE AND A FUTURE.
Billie Newsome, Puyallup, Wa “I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.” Leviticus 11:15
I am starting late, so will post my first verse now and my second verse on the 15th, will memorize together:
NKJV John 15:3 (first verse): You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
NKJV John 15:4 (second verse): Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
Holly
Prairie City IA
Jeremiah 29:11
IKNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU, DECLARES THE LORD, PLANS TO PROSPER YOU AND NOT TO HARM YOU. PLANS TO GIVE YOU A HOPE AND A FUTURE