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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ashley from Walker, LA
The Lord will work out his plans for my life –for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me. Psalms 138:8 NLT
Dolly M, Torrington, CT. “Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. “( Psalm‬ â€54‬:â€4‬ NIV)
Katie Scott, Aubrey, Texas “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” -Psalm 19:14
â€Terri, Escondido, Ca
“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians‬ â€2‬:â€7‬ NLT
Christine from Kandern, Germany
“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. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.” -Psalm 71:20-21
I delight to do Your will, my God;Your instruction lives within me.(HCSB)
Ginny White, Orofino, Idaho.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Gal 2:20
Peace and prosperity to you, your family, and everything you own.
1 Samuel 25:6
This is for January 1, 2015
Cindy Stuart, Trussville, AL
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
God’s purpose for me was clearly laid out about 4 years ago. Ever since I realized this and that he has control-I have been able to love and put my trust wholeheartedly into him!
I will love thee, O Lord, my strength Psalms 18:1 (KJV)
NLT Colossians 3:16a
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.
Genie from San Antonio, TX
Philippians 4:6 ESV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.
Psalms 29:11
Martinez, CA
Psalm 62:5 NIV
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
Nedra, Blue Springs, MO “For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 2:15 NASB
Katie from Lexington, KY
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe” Philippians 2:14-15 (NIV)
Sarajo LaGrange, GA. Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
Cindy Escondido California
1John 3:24 NIV
Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the spirit he gave us.
East Liberty, OH ,”Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.” Romans 12:9-10 The Message
Jennifer, Kandern, Germany Ephesians 4:29 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. (NIV)
Scottsdale, Arizona
I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength.
Proverbs 8:14 (ESV)
Kathy Wilson, Chandler, AZ
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.” John 1:1-3
Matthew 6:14 (NIV)
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you
Michelle Pendleton, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (â€Matthew‬ â€5‬:â€16‬ NKJV)
Emily Kroeger, Stafford, VA. “There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty.” Deuteronomy 33:26 ESV
Sarah C, Edmond, OK, “Rather clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” Romans 13:14 NIV
Madison from Amarillo, TX
“A friend loves at all times.” Proverbs 17:17
Christina: Adel, IA
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)
Mary Lupo, Novi, MI
“Your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.” Psalms 57:10 NLT
Jennifer Ogle, Knoxville, TN
Romans 12:9-10 NLT
Don’t just pretend to love each other. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.
Annie, Turlock, CA
“Behold, Thou dost desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part Thou wilt make me know wisdom.” Ps. 51:6
Diane Smith, Nederland, Texas. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NIV
Shelley Christensen, Haslet, TX
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV
Eph.3:20. Now unto him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the Power that work ethnic in us. KJ.
Matheny, WV.
Bennie Edwards, Amarillo, TX
Psalm 32:10New International Version (NIV)
Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the Lord’s unfailing love
surrounds the one who trusts in him.
Courtney Bowden, Annandale, VA: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7 AMP
Shelley, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thes. 5:16-18 NIV
Christin Fletcher, Abilene, TX. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38 NIV
2nd verse-Jan. 15,2015
Tami Vandergriff, Crockett, TX
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us-for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a Tree”-NAS
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Heather Andreasen, Saginaw, MI
Proverbs 16:32 ESV
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
Lisa
Hendersonville, TN
And 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
Fosters Alabama, Janice- “Arise,Shine;For your light has come!And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.” Isaiah 60:1 NKJV
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.
Psalm 18:30. As for God his way is perfect. The word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. NIV
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
Norman, Oklahoma
And HE said unto me, “MY grace is sufficient for thee: for MY strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 (KJV)
Carol S from Priceville AL
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
What then shall we say in response to those
who can be against us? If God is for us, who
can be against us? Romans 8: 31
Tina Lockhart, Gulfport Ms
The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. (Exodus14:14) NIV