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) Ā 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 ofĀ 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 areĀ 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:Ā
Your name, city, verse (written all the way out), reference, and translation.Ā
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 citizensĀ with the saints and members of the household of God.”Ā 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 householdĀ all we’ve got. Christ is so altogether worthy.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! One last thing before I say Go!Ā 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 upĀ on the SSMT informational comments. Ā 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. Ā I know it’s a bit complicated at first! Hang with it!Ā So sorry for your extra trouble!
Hey, I am so glad you’re doing this with us. So much love to you.
OK, GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in times of need. Hebrews 4:16 (HCSB)
Kelly Nichols from Whiteland IN
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (ā2 Corinthiansā¬ ā10ā¬:ā5ā¬ KJV)
Therefore, as Gods’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:12-13 NIV
Marie A Valentin San Antonio, texas
” Look into Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”
Hebrews 12:2 New King James Version
Laurie Bolthouse, Littleton, CO
“You know when I sit and when I rise, you perceive my thoughts from afar.”
Ps 139:2 NIV
January 16, 2015
Bedford, Texas (I am just now getting registered…so this is my first verse)
“O, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!
Psalm 55:6
NLV
Bedford, Texas
“I would fly far away
to the quiet of the wilderness.”
Psalm 55:7
NLV
Kelly, San Diego, CA
‘Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.’
Hebrews 4:16 ESV
Justine Crawford, Las Vegas
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. (āColossiansā¬ ā3ā¬:ā23ā¬ NLT)
Melissa Montgomery AL
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13 NIV)
Proverbs 3:7
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Pray more, worry less.
Matthew 6:34 NKJV
Lou Blount Colorado Springs CO ” Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 NIV
Tippecanoe, Ohio
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5 KJV
Sandy from Fayetteville, NC
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. NIV
Melissa Kemp, Round Rock, TX; John 1:1-3 (NIV) 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.
Psalms 56:8
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in a bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.
Eposi
Houston, TX
Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to live and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 (ESV)
Nancy from Tyler likes this verse to relieve stress; ” I’d say you’ll do best by filling ur minds & meditating on things true, noble,reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst, the beauty not the ugly, things to praise not things to curse ” Philippians 4:7 MSG
How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth
Psalm 47:2
Terry Stacey, Poquoson, VA
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 ESV
Luke 6:27-28 CEB
But I say to you who are willing to hear: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you.
Willow Springs, MO
“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” Romans 6:11-12 (NIV)
Pam Rowell – Round Rock, TX
I will say to the Lord, āMy refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.ā
Psalm 91:2 HCSB
I’ve been memorizing, but I sure forgot to post! So, here goes…
Becky Bigbie, Highland Village, Tx. Great is His faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. Lamentations 3:23 NLT
Leisa North Salt Lake Utah, “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39”
James 3:5-6 NIV
Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
Liz Lyons; Cypress, Texas; “You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.” Psalm 139:2
āAbide in Me, and I in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
unless it abides in the vine,
neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
I am the vine, you are the branches.
He who abides in Me, and I in him,
bears much fruit;
for without Me you can do nothing.ā
John 15:4-5 NKJV
The Lord is exalted over all the nations, His glory above the heavens. Psalm 113.4 (NIV)
Darien Lyons; Cypress, Texas; “You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.” Psalm 139:2 (NIV)
Kendall Lyons; Cypress, Texas; “You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.” Psalm 139:2 (NIV)
Hannah, Johnson City, TN
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Heather, Moscow Mills MO
“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom”
Psalm 90:12 NIV
Denise Davis, Tomball, TX Eccl 3:1 For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven. ESV
Molly, India: “that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being” Ephesians 3:16
Melodie, Charlotte, NC; And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB
Betty McPhail, Starkville, MS
Ii Cor. 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new! NIV
I have spent the last 2 days combing through trying to find my first post.. I dont see it.. BOO! I posted on 01/01/15 between 10am-12pm central time. I’m re-posting.. so Beth doesnt think I’m slacking or cheating! HA! š
Rachel Lund, Mayer, MN
1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV
“pray continually”
Acts 26;19 whereupon King Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision.
Proverb’s 19:21
God is in control
Tyler Camp
Pineville, KY
Have I not commanded you? Be Strong and Courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
“And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come; I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant…” Genesis 9:12-15 NIV
Jessica Wasinger Los Angeles, CA – “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NASB
Janel, castle rock, co – Therefore I urge you brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, for this is your spiritual service of worship. Romans 12:1
Deb Hartman, Newnan, GA , “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry if on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”. Philippians 1:6
Stacey Mills, Columbus MS – Colossians 3:23 (NIV) “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men”
Samantha Gillis, Hatch, NM
“I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.”
– Psalms 16:8 NLT
Debra Ragan Jacksonville, NC “I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek thy servant; for I have not forgotten thy Commandments”. Psalm 119:176
KJV