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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Robin, Belton, Tx -So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you. (â€1 Peter‬ â€5‬:â€6-7‬ MSG)
Susie McNeely Russellville AR
For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.
Psalms 107:9 KJV
“For we are God’s handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10. NIV
kim from Roswell, ga
Psalm 9:10 those who know your name trust in you, for you, lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of a fool gushes folly. Proverbs 15:1-2. NIV
Sara, Valdosta, GA-“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
Centerburg OH. Lamentations 3:24. I say to myself the Lord is my portion therefore I will wait for him
Lu, hendersonville , tn: “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious spirit lead me forward on a firm footing” (Ps 143:10 NLT)
Kathleen, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” Matthew 6:14-15 NASB
Sherry Chong, Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup.You have made my lot secure. Ps 16:3
Malinda, Hurst, TX
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it- not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it- they will be blessed in what they do.
James 1:23-25 (NIV)
Indiana
“But blessed is the one who trusts in The Lord whose confidence is in Him”
Jeremiah 17:7 NIV
Lynn & Kayla, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Colossians 3:13 (niv) Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Lanise Hefner, Sachse, TX
As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. Psalm 71:14 NIV
Coshocton,Ohio Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.(NASB)
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Tonya, Chandler, Ok
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2: 8-9 ESV
Judy Gentry, Stigler, OK Colossians 1:10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. ESV
Brenda Butler, Williamsport, Indiana
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11 NIV
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful
Colossians 4:2
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Above all els, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matt 6:33 NIV
Mark 8:38 (NIV) “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He come in the Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Jeremiah 15:21 NIV I will save you from the hands of the wicked and redeem you from the grasp of the cruel
Chelle Brown, Longview, Tx – “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 wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Abby Fraser, Austin, TX
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of love and power and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
Rita N, Tx
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
I Peter 5:7 KJV
Jill from Illinois
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God says “Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NIV
Eunyce Menelaou South Africa Silver Lakes.
John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.
Stephanie Sugg, Shawnee, OK
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength[b] of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73: 25-26 ESV
Carol, Mount Airy, NC
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 KJV
1 Timothy 4:16 (NLT)
“Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.”
Alycia, Granada, MN.
Do nothing our of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
Phil 2:3&5 NIV
Carolea, Chino CA; For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 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. (â€Hebrews‬ â€4‬:â€15-16‬ NIV)
The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. -Lamentations 3:22-23
Let us them 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. Hebrews 4:16
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3,4 January 15, 2015
Amy McAteer -Jones Weddington, NC
Philippians 4:6-7 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.
Anne Bailey, Fort Collins CO: “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it: Ps 118:24 NLT
Tracy Pouncy, Lynchburg, VA
Joshua 1:8 (KJV): This book of he law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have good success.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3,4 NIV
“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
Anne Bailey, Fort Collins CO: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 NIV
Lindsey Gannaway, Macon, GA
Galatians 5:1 (NIV): It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Kristi from Richmond, TX
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8
Matthew 6:33 but seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you. esv. Cathy froelich
“For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
EPHESIANS 6:12”
Lisa Mast Fort Wayne, IN
Ask, and it will be given to you;
Seek, and you will find;
Knock, and it will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7 ESV
Sarah Jones
Livingston, TX
Romans 12:17(NLT)
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.
Janene Ford, Henley, MO. “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:3 NIV