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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Christy; Jacksonville, FL “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” Philippians 4:6 ESV
Reneah from Big Spring I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you. NIV
Lindy Moyer – Spokane, WA “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men. For you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24
I am the good shepherd; and I know My own,and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. John 10:14-15 NASB
Rachel Burgess of Farmington,MO. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:18 KJV
Robbin Maumee,Ohio
For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you
1 Thessalonians 1:4
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean
not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV) Proverbs 3:5,6
Cindy Kessler, Rock Hill, SC
We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. (1 John 2:3)
Kristy Garrett, Pearl,MS “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 ESV
Kristine Foster, Strongsville, OH “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV
Isabel, Midland
Eph. 19:5 HCSB
Now if you listen to me and carefully keep my covenant, you will be my own possession out of all the peoples, although all the earth is mine.
Beth from Phoenix AZ, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Phillipians 4:13 KJV
Louisville, Kentucky
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, Pray Constantly, Give thanks in everything for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Jaela, Nashville, TN. “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26 NIV
Meggan Johnson
Lancaster, NY
No fruit can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. John 15:4 NIV
Brooke taylor – Anderson SC, This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has gone. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
“pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (NIV)
Patti Klasing – Houston, Texas
“Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:11
Jeanette Blevins, Crescent, OK “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12 (ESV)
Melissa Harold of Bassett, Virginia
“He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and buckler.”
Psalm 91:4
Wendy Speed, Custer Park Illinois, “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
Yolie de LEON
San Antonio, TX
Romans 10:8 ERV ~ God’s teaching is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart
Jennifer of Charlotte…Psalm 91:1 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”NIV
Goodyear, AZ “Do not be anxious for anything but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your request to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
Marie Skipper, Granger, Tx— ” Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 NIV
YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME
WHEN YOU SEEK ME ALL YOUR HEART
JEREMIAH 29:13
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Psalm 27:13 (ESV)
Alexis O’Neal, Columbia, SC
“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1. ESV
Marilyn Leslie Mentor on the Lake, Ohio
II Corinthians 1:3&4 NIV
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Proverbs 16:3 – ESV
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
Colleen from Lancaster, PA- “When Jesus saw the crowd he went up on the mountain side and sat down. His disciples came to him and he began to teach them. He said: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are the those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matt. 5:1-6 NIV
Johnson City, TN – “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NKJV
Janet Walker, Torrington,WY
II Corinthians 15:5 (NLT)
He died for everyone so that those who receive His new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, tgey will live for Christ who died and was raised for them.
Angie. Illinois
Seek his will in all you do and he all direct your paths. Proverbs 3:6 Niv
Jennifer F. Shawnee, KS
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Kari Darnell–Edmond, OK–May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14. (I previously posted this about a week or so ago but didn’t see it.)
Addison Darnell–Edmond, OK–The mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Matthew 12:34b (NIV)
Micele N., Dallas Tx “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. BAnd the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Beth Burrell Greer,S.C.
Keep falsehoods and lies far from me; give me neither poverty or riches but give me only my daily bread
Otherwise I may have too much and disown you and say ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal,and so dishonor the name of my God
Proverbs 30:8-9 NKJV
Debora Eaves, Lancaster California
We can make our plans, but the final outcome is in God’s hands. Commit your work to the Lord, then it will succeed. (Prov. 16: 1-3, TLB)
Pam Jackson, Blue Springs, MO “for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.” Proverbs 3:2 ESV
Ephesians 3:16 I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His spirit. NLT
Janet, Boulder,Colorado. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. ! Corinthians 6:19,20 NIV
Shelby Briggs, Brandon Mississippi
‘Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.’ Psalms 73:27-28 NIV
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. “James 1:19-20 ESV
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Matthew 21:22 NIV
Pamela, Colonial Heights, VA: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. –Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Venita Lyons, Springfield, IL. PS 27: 4-5 One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling, He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. NIV Life Application Study Bible. (I couldn’t do just verse 4 because 5 goes along with it. I know it’s long, but I can do it!)
Hebrews 10:25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
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