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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)
11 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. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Kendra, Pueblo, CO “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NIV
Amanda Magnuson, Redding, Ca. ” In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NIV
My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for they will provide a long and full life, and they will add well-being to you. Do not let truth and mercy leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and good understanding, in the sight of God and people. (â€Proverbs‬ â€3‬:â€1-4‬ NET)
Sharon. Kerens Tx
My times are in Your Hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me. Psalm 31:15 NKJV
Melissa-Cabot, Pa
She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.
Matthew 1:21 NRSV
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”
John 4:34 NIV
Lincoln, AR “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 KJV
Tracy Milligan, Leland, NC
Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
Heather Hayes, Newland, NC
“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12, NAS)
Amy, Marietta, GA – ” I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” Ps 27:13
Elaine from Tomball, Texas
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV
Brittney Strother – Oceana, WV
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13 KJV
Cullman, Alabama
Ephesians 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.
Christy, Rowlett, TX
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (â€John‬ â€1‬:â€1‬ NIV)
Lorri Yoder, Bemidji MN
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 NIV
Sarah S. Redford Mi
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
Sarah, East Liberty, OH “The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.” Psalm 33:5 NIV
Dori
Meridian, ID
There we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
Hebrews 12:1
NKJV
Ohhhhh, that’s a good one Dori!
Kelly, CA. “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 NIV
Heather Lear, Polkton, NC; And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 NLT
Kim Kennedy, Columbus, IN. “The Lord is my strength and my sheild; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him”. Psalm 28:7, KJV
alm
Beverly Rogers from Baskin, Louisiana-The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14: 14 NIV
Amanda, Riverton, Wyoming
Don’t worry about anything, but in everything through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 HCSB
Sonya Keener Pierceton Indiana
For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isaiah 43:19 NLT
Jess, Kennesaw. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1, ESV
Samantha, Kingwood, TX. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom & instruction.” Proverbs 1:7 (ESV)
Luke 1:37 KJV
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Molly, Lakeville, Minnesota.
“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.” Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Wendy, Milo IA, 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. Galatians 5:1 NIV
Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
oops, if didnt put my city and state, Okmulgee, Oklahoma
Sarah, Colorado Springs
Hebrews 3:5b – Amplified
“…for He (God) himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. (I will) not, (I will) not, (I will) not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake you nor let (you) down (relax my hold on you) (Assuredly Not!)
Newby–chose 2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV Looking forward to this adventure with my niece.
Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Nell Magnera, Lake Havasu City, AZ
Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 106:1
God is the God who gives peace. May he make you holy through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept free from blame. May you be without blame from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes. The God who has chosen you is faithful. He will do all these things.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Stacey Bult, Fayetteville, Georgia
“Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.” Philippians 3:13b KJV
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9 KJV
Rebekah
Florence, CO
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry for help. Psalm 34:15 HCSB
Lesli- Springfield, MO-
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of The Lord out God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.” Psalms 20:7-8, NIV
Katie Basham, Orlando, FL
Psalm 86:15 (ESV) – But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Lisa Braun, Warman SK Canada
“What do you mean, ‘If I can?'” Jesus asked, “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
Mark 9:23 NLT
I’m asking God for one thing, only one thing: to live with Him in His house my whole life long. I’ll contemplate His beauty, I’ll study at His feet.
Psalm 27:4 MSG
Jill Williams Sperry, OK
Ephesians 6:10-12
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his migty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (In Jesus name!)
Kathey Hollifield, Spruce Pine, NC
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psalm 34:1
1st timer and nervous, but here goes!
Jenny, Sevierville, TN
“We proclaim him,admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.”
Colossians 1:28 NIV
Chantal ~ Englewood, CO
Colossians 3:15-16a
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you. NASB
Allison Whitener~White Post, VA “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
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deut. 31:6 NIV
Deb – Harrisonville, MO. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. NLY