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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Then you will understand what is right, just and fair,
and you will find the right way to go.
For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will fill you with joy.
Wise choices will watch over you.
Understanding will keep you safe.” Proverbs 2:9-11
Kearse George, Denver CO
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Psalm 51:10 (NKJ)
Create in me a clean heart, Oh God. And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Amy, Abilene, TX
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart”
-Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
Jami Caron, Sarnia Ontario
You will harvest what you plant
Galatians 6:7 Cev
Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. NIV Cleveland, OH
Tiffany Orange Park,FL For he that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Galatians 6:8 KJV
Edmonton, Alberta
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 2:12 NIV
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
Jacque, Thornton, CO, Acts 20:24, But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. (NLT)
Manassas, Va
Isaiah 38:17 NIV
Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.
Rythee Jones, Upper Marlboro MD
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge Psalm 18:2 NIV Joyce Sua – Simi Valley, Ca
Walking through a valley right and clinging to Psalms 91, but especially Psalms 91:4. “He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. NIV
Karla Kincade
Indianapolis, IN
“Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven” Matthew 5:3
Jill Battles, Fayetteville, GA
“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
Psalm 91:11
ESV
Nicole Nickason- Grey/Bruce ON,Canada
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and
assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Julie Fawcett-Round Rock, Tx- ” Boast not thyself of to-morrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. ” Proverbs 27:1 KJV
Barbara Willis, Murfreesboro, TN
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9 NKJV
Raven Williams
Conroe, Texas
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1(NIV)
Karen Nesbit, MS
Psalm 59:16 “But I will sing of your strength;I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.”
Jessica Carr
Gig Harbor, WA
Romans 8:31 What then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:13 NLT
Chelsea
Phoenix, AZ
“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. ( It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) Ephesians 2:4-5. NLT
And Jesus saith unto him- “I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
St. John 14:6 KJV
Erin C, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” (â€Lamentations‬ â€3‬:â€22-24‬ ESV)
Barbara Smith, Deer Lodge
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Concetta, White Oak, Proverbs 21:23 NLT, “Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.”
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24
Jessica Booth, Columbus Ohio. (2 Timothy 2:15 AMP) “Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved, a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing the Word of Truth.”
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self discipline.
Sylvia: Collinsville, IL
Forget the former things and do not dwell on the past. Isaiah 43:18 NIV
Silver City, NM
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.
“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)
Edmond, OK
Do not take to heart everything people say, lest you hear your servant cussing you. For many times, also, your own heart has known that even you have cursed others. Ecclesiastes 7:21-22
Mary Rhodes Hermantown, Minnesota
Jesus called out,
“Come along with me and I will show you
how to fish for the souls of men!”
Matthew 4:19 Living Bible
Eden Prairie, MN
Do not be afraid, I am with you! I am your God. Let nothing terrify you. I will make you strong and help you. I will protect you and save you. GNB
Cindy Moeckel, Deer Park, Washington, Ephesians 4:29 NIV Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Debbie Cracchiolo, Waynesville, North Carolina, He died for all, so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for the One who died and rose for them.
(2Corinthians 5:15 ISV)
Faythe Aguirre – Silver City, NM
1 Thessalonians 16-18 NIV (16) Rejoice always, (17) Pray continually, (18) give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Surayyah, Alexandria, VA
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 ESV
Kathy P, Albion, IN
And he said unto him, Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul and with all thy mind. This is the great and first commandment. Matthew 22:37-38 NIV
Charlene P. Norcross, GA
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not charity, I am become as a sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal
1Cor 13:1. KJV
Misty from Hot Springs, Ar. 1/15/2015
“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Eph 4:29 (Life App Study Bible: NLT)
Bethany C. – Red Rock,Texas
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19 NKJ
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26 (NASB)
Second Verse: Psalm 51:2 “Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” (NKJ)
Shauna Humphreys, Muse, OK. “Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.” Isaiah 58:8 (NIV)
Maggie Fuller Deptford, NJ
“Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 20:7 (NIV)
Deborah S Prather, Louisville, Kentucky. My first Bible study was Beth Moore’s Living Beyond Yourself, exploring the fruit of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (â€Galatians‬ â€5‬:â€22-23‬ NASB)