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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sandy McCarthy, Phoenix, AZ
“4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:4, ESV, Glo
Tamara Parks, Pflugerville TX
If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts and He knows everything.
1 John 3:20 NIV
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18NIV
Cindy Gandy
Hazlehurst, MS
Psalm 119:105 ESV
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
“For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Meredith, Noblesville, IN – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 NLT
This is the pertfect web site for anybody who wouldd like to
find out about this topic. You understand so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa).
You definitely put a new spin on a subjct that’s been discussed
foor years. Excellent stuff, just great!
Ande
Bedford, TX
And be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ Jesus, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.
Philippians 3:9, ESV
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
Jennie Wright, Bossier City, Louisiana “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phillippians 4:13 NKJV
Lori Aldrich, Dearborn Heights, MI
This is what the LORD says– your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” Isaiah 48:17 NIV
Teach me your way, Lord,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.
Psalm 86:11-12(NIV)
Let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 1 John 3:18. NIV
Gigi Parisi
Mullica Hill NJ
Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
Mitzi Woodson
Stigler OK
NKJF
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Gen1:1; John1:1-2;Rev22:13
Kristen Livingston, Las Cruces NM
But as for me, I will always have hope. Psalm 71:14, NIV
Kristen Livingston, Las Cruces NM
But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength. 2 Timothy 4:17 NIV
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Psalm 32:1 NIV
wendy, Henderson, Dayton tn, God gave us this command if we love God we must also love each other as brothers and sisters. 1 john 4:21 ERV
For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy1:7
Jennifer Green
Bison, SD
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Rachel from Middletown DE
“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.”
Psalm 143:8 ESV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phillipians 4:6-7 NIV
Sara Short, Austin, Texas
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
Sara Short, Austin, Texas
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving; present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Phillipians 4:6-7 NIV
Ann, Cataula, GA
Thou dost keep in peace men of constant mind,
In peace because they trust in Thee.
Isaiah 26:3, NEB
Nina Ledger Scottsdale, AZ
Jeremiah 17:8 They will be like a tree planted by the waterthat sends out its roots by the stream.It does not fear when heat comes;its leaves are always green.It has no worries in a year of droughtand never fails to bear fruit.” NIV
Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
Ericka F.
Orlando, FL
James 1:5 (NIV)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
Sammy Primera, Flagstaff, Arizona
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
– Ephesians 2:10 NKJV
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. Psalm 118:8
Angelica
Trussville, AL
For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
– John 1:16, ESV
Sheryl. Houston, Texas
Don’t fear because I am with you; don’t be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will hold you with my righteous strong hand. Isaiah 41:10 (CEB)
“Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given”. John 1:16 NIV
Count it all joy, my brothers,[b] when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4
Akiko S, Spring Hill TN
“He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.” Psalm 91:4
Gwen Valles, Fort Collins, Colorado “For to me, to live is Christ, and to dies is gain” Philippians 1:21 (nkjv)
Anna Yancey, Fort Collins, CO
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1:3 ESV
Karen Hustedde
Bolivar, MO
“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2 NASB
the Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still. Exo 14:14 niv
Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. Psalm 127:1 (NIV, 1984)
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Sheri New, Atlanta, TX. “Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.” Proverbs 19:20 NKJV
for January 1, 2015
We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20 NIV
for January 20, 2015
May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:22 NIV
Teri McKinney, TX
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV
Laynette Van Anne, Gering, NE
“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)
Peggy, Cheyenne, Wyoming. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:42-26(NIV)