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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Psalm 119:103
Lori Grundy, Hattiesburg, MS.
How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Psalm 119:103 NLT
Galatians 6:8 NIV
The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
from Scottsdale, AZ
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Romans 5:8. GOD demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, CHRIS died for use
Trish, Morganfield, Ky
“Finally, brothers, 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 on these things.
Phil. 4:8 (NIV)
Isaiah 55:6-7 Holman CSB
Seek the Lord while He may be found; call to Him while He is near. Let the wicked one abandon his way,and the sinful one his thoughts; let him return to the Lord,so He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will freely forgive.
Lynda K. from Dallas, Texas
The steadfast love of the L-RD never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.
Lam. 3:22,23
Susan Voorhees from Grove City, PA
For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven. Eccliastes 3:1 ESV
Lannette, Greeneville,TN O Lord Thou has searched me and known me. Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up. Thou dost understand my thought from afar. Thou dost scrutinize my path and my and my lying down. And art intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before these is a word on my tongue, behold O Lord Thou dost know it all. Thou hast enclosed me behind and before and laid Thy hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, it is too high, I cannot attain to it. Psalm 139: 1-6 NAS
Psalm 126:3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
January 7, If anyone if in Christ he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold all things have become new. II Corinthians 5 V17
Michelle Kimberly-Rhoades
Ogallala, Nebraska
John 13:7 (New American Bible)
Jesus replied, You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will. John 13:7
Kim Dodson, San Diego, CA “assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth wil be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be looses in heaven.” Matthew 18:18 NKJV
Houston,tx.
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah‬ â€29‬:â€13‬ NASB
2 Corinthians 3:4-5
Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.
Humble and dependent on God.
Do everything without complaining or arguing – Philippians 2:14 NIV
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. (â€Psalms‬ â€19‬:â€14‬ NASB)
2 Corinthians 3:4-5
Such confidence we have through Christ before God.
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.
Tatum,Tx
But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.
Nehemiah 9:17 (NIV)
Jennifer, Houston
“Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NASB)
Lev 20:7 “Live holy lives. Be holy because I am the LORD your God.
Lev 20:8 Obey my laws, and live by them. I am the LORD who sets you apart as holy. (Leviticus 20:7-8 GW)
Sumrall, MS
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (â€Ephesians‬ â€2‬:â€8-9‬ ESV)
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:9-13 ESV)
Christina, Montesano, WA 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
“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
Houston, Texas “I love you, O Lord, my strength.” Psalm 18:1 ESV
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10.
Tiffany Edens Battle Ground, Washington
No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. Joshua 1:5 NLT
Philippians 2:5 King James Version (KJV)
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Cindie, Maroa, Illinois.
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. 2 Corinthians 12: 9 NIV
Melanie Loperano, Atlanta, Psalms 100:1 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth, NASB
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world giveth, give I onto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. – John 14:27 KJV
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:29,30
Kylie Mitchell, Farmington, MO
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.”
John 17:20 NIV
Deborah Boutwell, Bon Aqua, TN: God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in time of trouble. Therefore we will not be afraid.. Psalm 46:1-2a HCSB
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Psalm 32:8 (ESV)
“This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” Hebrews 6:19 NLT
Stephanie, Imperial Beach, CA
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 2 John 6 NIV
Abbie Forbus, Visalia, CA
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness on her tongue. – Proverbs 31:26 ESV
Janine, Kingwood, Texas
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”
– John 15:9, ESV
31 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. (â€Isaiah‬ â€40‬:â€31‬ NIV)
Tammie Maier, Hillsboro Kansas
You have searched me, Lord and you know me.
Psalm 139:1 (NIV)
Sylvia Vicain, Jersey Village, TX
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
Krystal Thueringer, Spokane, WA. “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.” Proverbs 31:10-11 ESV
Bev Tosh, Coventry UK. Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.
Lev 19:2 (KJV)
Erica – Princeton, WV
“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.” Psalm 25:4, NIV
“But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3. NAS
Laura Hubbard, Apopka, FL “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes.” Ephesians 1:4, NLT
Matthew 5:4New International Version (NIV)
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.