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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is STEADFAST because he trusts in YOU.” Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Karen Simmons, Lusby, Maryland Behold YOU desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden parts you will make me to know wisdom. Psalm 51:6
Angela, Fort Worth, TX “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 (NIV)
Cyndi Cabral, Spokane, Washington, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” James 1:19-21, NIV
Paige Woodard Mitchell, Minden, Louisiana: “‘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
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (â€John‬ â€3‬:â€16‬ NKJV)
Prairieville, Louisiana. <3
Gail Jones, Decatur TX KJV Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
I said a prayer for you today. God is mighty, and you are loved!
Knoxville,TN
“Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again. From the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.” Psalm 71:20 NIV
Hi my name is Rita from Iowa, New Int. Version..Ephesions 5:8
For you were once darkness, now you are light in the Lord, live as a child of light.
Dell Elias, Incline Village, Nevada “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 NIV
Mesa, AZ “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” Phil 4:6 ESV
Paula – OKC: “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Colossians 3:16 NIV
Vicki from Merriam, KS
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8 ESV
Carolyn Spencer, Olive Branch, MS “I sought the Lord and He heard me and He delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 NIV
Lori Jones- Gadsden, AL
Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Jill from Oswego
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19 NIV
Mickie Marter, Little Rock, AR “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25 NIV
Lisa, ABQ, NM “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6-7 (NIV)
Lynn Williams, Denham Springs, LA Ro. 10:9-10 That if you confess with you mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe with your heart that God raised his from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and with your mouth that you confess and are saved. NIV
psalm 9:10 KJV
And they that know thy name will put their trust in the.For thou,Lord has not forsaken them that seek thee.
Abbie, North Platte, NE “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Philippians 3:12 NIV
Laura from DeLand, FL “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” Philippians 1:6
Janice Fitzgerald
Wilmore, Kentucky
“This is what The Lord says, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am The Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”
Isaiah 48:17 NIV
Jennifer, Saint Johns, FL – I will rember the LORD’s works; yes,
I will remember Your ancient wonders. Psalm 77:11 (HCSB)
Christina Cole, Irvine, CA “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every sitiuation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV
Jantien Kooiman, Holland (Europe) “De Heer zorgt voor mij, zoals een herder voor zijn schapen zorgt. Hij geeft me alles wat ik nodig heb.” Ps 23:1 (BiGT)
Emily Murphy, Petal, MS, “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16
Romans 8:28
Love what you do for all us ladies of faith…
Sarah, North Richland Hills, TX: PSALM 19:14: May the words that come out of my mouth and the musings of my heart meet with Your gracious approval, O Eternal, my Rock, O Eternal, my Redeemer. (VOICE translation)
Wendy Manolas Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Jeremiah 29:11-13
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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Lanaya, San Antonio, TX, Hebrews 11:9 NIV “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.”
College Station:
“The hidden things belong to the Lord our God, but the revealed things belong to us and our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law.” Deut 29:29
Tiffany. Mobeetie Tx. The Lord is my Shepard; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3 (NKJV)
Laura, Walpole,Ma NIV-Ps119-11: I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38
Terry, Odessa, FL
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.”
John 14:1, NKJV
(first posted on 1/9/15, but it didn’t show up, so am trying again.)
Laura, Murfreesboro, TN: 2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” NIV
Addy Burke, Fernandina, FL – “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NRSV
Kelly from Walnut Creek, CA says:
“…Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.” Romans 12:3 (NLT)
I’m late, I’m late, but I’m here!
Dana Murray, KY
Be still and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in all the earth.
Psalm 46:10
Hi. Beth Jorgenson, Gildford MT – I’m a little late but still want to participate. Here is my first verse – 1 Cor. 10:13 (NIV)No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Darla from Elk Grove, CA NAS
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Chris is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Rose Hockersmith, Palmer Lake, Colorado. He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5 NIV
Tammy M. From Hays, NC “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 ESV
Debbie, Wooster, OH: I am also starting late so will post my first today and my next tomorrow. Jeremiah 29:11 “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”. King James
Tabitha Westbrook, Raleigh, NC
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)
Joyce Downs, Littleton,CO
“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 uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah‬ â€41‬:â€10‬ NIV
Dianne, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Jeramiah 29:11
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.
AMEN!!!!!
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 NIV