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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vernell, Temple TX
“For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV
Barboursville, WV
The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8 NRSV
Tennessee
OK, sweet ladies : I got a late start on this. I chose to focus on God’s timing for January. My 1st scripture that I memorized was: Each time He said, my grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)
15th verse: Yet God made every thing beautiful for its own time. He planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. -Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT)
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)
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (ESV)
Sharon – Brea, CA Psalm 17:6 I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God bed down and listen as I pray. Psalm 17:6 NLT
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21
Tina – Richmond, TX
“Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you.”
Matthew 7:7 NIV
Titus 2:4 and so train the young women to love their husband and children. ESV
Lee Bailey, Argyle, Tx
Acts 20:35
I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said ” It is more blessed to give than receive”.
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
“Sherri Holston, Edwardsburg, MI
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 NIV
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (âJeremiah⏠â29âŹ:â13⏠NIV)
Pam Morales Watertown WI “I am the Lord thy God , which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. Psalm 81:10 KJV
Good Evening SIESTAS!!!!!!! Hope you all are having a blessed and great week!!!! Here’s my verse for January 15th 2015:) Hope this verse helps you all. I am leaving you two verses, this time.
“Whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and believing, you will receive” . (Matthew 21:22)
” For with God nothing is ever impossible!! and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.” (Luke 1:37)
Psalm 91:4-5 “He will cover you with His pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day.”
Susanna Andrews
Duvall, WA
May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and forever! Amen. Hebrews 13:21 NLT
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20 NLT
Good Evening SIESTAS!!!!!!! Hope you all are having a blessed and great week!!!! Here’s my verse for January 15th 2015:) Hope this verse helps you all. I am leaving you two verses, this time.
… “For truly I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to yonder place, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.
(Matthew 17:20)
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust also in Him and He will bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5)
Nicole Kowalk
Eaton Rapids, MI
“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
(NIV)
Wilmington, NC
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 NIV
The Lord God is with you.
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
“Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It is not proud. It does not boast.” 1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV (January 1, 2015)
“Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” Romans 12:2 NLT (January 15, 2015)
Susan Johnson, Prattville, AL. “Be still in the presence of The Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7 NLT
“I was Lord my God, I cry to you for help and you have healed me”. Psalm 30:2
Jenny Klein, Southport, NC
Jeremiah 32:27 (NASB)
âBehold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?â
Matthew 22:37
Jesus replied: ââLove the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.â NIV
For the first one I missed…Eileen Heughins, Naples, FL…By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son. Hebrews 11:17 NIV
Vivian, Person, NC “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” Ephesians 2:19 NKJV
Tara, Eustis Fl
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
âPhilippians 4:7
For today…Eileen Heughins, Naples, FL…Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! Hebrews 12:9 NIV
gina
morro bay, ca
be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances
for this is gods will for you in christ jesus
1 thes 16-18 niv
This was the first two week’s verse. I’ll be continuing where I left off for the next two weeks. James 1:1-?
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea blown and tossed by the wind – that man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord. He is is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
Amy Harris Oklahoma City, OK
For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 NLT
Bronté Harris
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
In you, Lord my God, I put my trust
Psalms 25:1 NIV
Audrey Harris Oklahoma City, Ok.
I trust in the Lord for protection so why do you say to me, fly like a bird to the mountains for safety.
Psalms 11:1 nlt.
Jeri Miller from Forney, TX. “Lie not one to another, seeing that ur have put off the old man with His deeds. And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him.” Colossians 3:9-10 KJV
Elkhart, In
” I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NLT
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16 NIV
Psalm 147:3
He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds.
Sharon from Portage Michigan
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, âIf you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.â
John 8:31-32 ESV
Tami Kraft Killeen, TX
Your love has given great joy and encouragement, because you have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s People. Philemon 1:7 NIV
James 2:1 (NIV)
My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 New International Version
Angelia, Charlotte, NC
“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”
Ephesians 1:18 (NKJV)
Amy Wickel Turlock, Ca
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation.But take heart;I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (ESV)
Cape Girardeau, MO
“The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” Matthew 7:25 NIV
Angela Wenell, Dallas Center IA
“He will not fear bad news. His heart is confident, trusting in the Lord.” Psalm 112:7 NLT
Jennifer Behnke, West Palm Beach, Florida. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,and the flame shall not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2 ESV
Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)
Blessed be the God and Father of Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
Joleen Cogburn
Santa Fe, TX
77517