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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“I sought the Lord, and he heard me; he delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 NIV
Gina, Garland, TX – Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Amy Max, Boca Raton, Florida. ” When you pass through the waters, I will be with you: and when you pass through the rivers, they wil not sweep over you.When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Julie James Madison, MS “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!” Phil 4:1 NIV
Sharon Lee, Riverside, Ca.
Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the waste land.
Isaiah 43:18,19 NIV
You , Lord, are forgiving and good. Psalm 86:5
From Pueblo, CO – “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” 2 Corinthians 4:9-10
Joy Gregory, Hendersonville, TN
Psalms 18:32 It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. NIV
Laura, Montgomery, AL 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 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. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Tara, Eustis John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
Cindy, Veedersburg IN Eph 2:19 NIV Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household
Debb frm Indiana, loved Rita’s verse 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.
Psalm 104:24
O LORD, how many are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; The earth is full of Your possessions.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9. NIV
Tanya Butts, Lexington, SC, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:24 (NIV)
Lee Anne, Deerfield Beach, FL “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 NIV
Jan, Cleburne, TX “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8 NKJV
From Menlo Park, CA For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
—Romans 8:38–39
Shelby, Scott County, TN “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 KJV
From. Datil– NM.
Palms 86:5. NIV
You, Lord, are forgiving and good .
Heaven Smithers, Oneida, TN.
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” Philippians 1:6 KJV
Wendy Bashor – Lone Butte, BC. “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” James 1:19 NLT
Terry, Madras, OR “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 up hold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Pam Bayless, Castaic, Ca. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. (â€Proverbs‬ â€31‬:â€25‬ NLT)
Jennifer Lamb, Surrency, Ga
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 NIV
“I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope. ” Jeremiah 29:11 CEB
Gina Murray Fredeicksburg VA “Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of he Messiah’s gift. Ephesians 4:7
Amy Max, Boca Raton, Florida. ” When you pass through the waters, I will be with you: and when you pass through the rivers, they wil not sweep over you.When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2 NIV
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
ESV
Kathy Vandevender, Muleshoe, Tx.
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV
Proverbs 12:25 NKJV
Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.
Amy Hartsfield, Calhoun, Georgia. “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how His ways will really satisfy you.” ~Romans 12:2, The Living Bible
Scarlett Flynn, Round Rock TX – When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13, NRSV)
Scarlett Flynn, Round Rock TX – Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ (Matthew 22:37, NIV)
James 1:26. If any one considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
Pam Farmington New Mexico
John 15:5 I am the vine and you are the branches. If you remain in Him and He in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from Him you can do nothing.
Proverbs 31:26
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and teaching of kindness is on her tongue. NASB.
Kim, Euless, Tx Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, (â€Psalm‬ â€1‬:â€1‬ NIV)
Martina, Chicago, IL
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. (â€Psalms‬ â€51‬:â€10‬ NLT)
Ronnie Flanigen, Albuquerque NM. “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26 NIV
Claire, Norman, OK And we know that in all things God works together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Lisa Phillips
Sanford, NC
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 NIV
Meagan, Wenatchee, WA “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
Anna, Fort Collins, CO
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 ESV
Kalee, Kansas City, MO: James 1:1 James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the 12 tribes in the Dispersion. Greetings. HCSB
Terri, San Jacinto, CA
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Gal. 2:20 ESV)
Let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
Proverbs 1:5
Pat, Monument CO
Acts 5:39 (NIV) But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
houston ,tx
I appeal to you brothers by the mercies of God to present your bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God which is your spiritual worship. Do not he corformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may test that which is the will of God. What is good, acceptable, and perfect. Romans 12:1-2
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.