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) 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:
Your name, city, verse (written all the way out), reference, and translation.
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For we are God’s handiwork,
created in Christ Jesus
to do good works,
which God prepared
in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ (Jeremiah 33:3 NIV)
Inez Barnes
Hamburg AR
Psalm 119:33-40 NIT
Teach me your decrees, O LORD; I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart. Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found. Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money! Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word. Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you. Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good. I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness.
Jan, Olney, Texas
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy-to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen
Jude 1:24-25
Amy B,
Montezuma, IN
Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. (Revelation 3:10 NKJV)
Carlie L., Jefferson City, MO – That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10
And now these three remain: faith hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. NIV
Dolly M, Torrington, CT. “Rejoice 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)
Nesbit, MS Joshua 1:8(ESV)
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Felicia G., Hayward, California.
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.”(Ephesians 2:8 NLT)
Rose Marie – Pflugerville TX
Romans 12:1-2 (NASB)
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies if God, present bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be confirmed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Melynda. Datil.NM
Proverbs 4:23. NIV
Above all else guard your heart for everything you do glows from it !!
Pam Stokes
Travelers Rest, SC
He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. (Psalms 18:2 KJV)
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. NIVNIVNIV
Kimberly Moore, Peyton, Colorado –
He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7 NIV
Debbie Lamoreux, Wilmington, NC “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2 NIV
Susan – Huntsville, TX
1 Peter 4:8 (ESV)
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Sue, Big Rapids, MI Ps. 119:2 ESV
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with their whole heart.
Mary Townsend, Warwick, RI
Better late than never…Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NIV) “For I well know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.”
Seeking Him with all my heart…
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. (Proverbs 1:23 KJV)
Molly, India
1 Peter 1:24-25 (ESV) “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.”
You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble. James 2:19 (NKJV)
from Social Circle, GA
Psalm 31:3
For you are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me. (ESV)
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart exults,
And with my song I shall thank Him.
Psalm 28:7 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Bonnie sanford, Norfolk, VA
Matthew 21:21-22 [AMP] And Jesus answered them, Truly I say to you, if you have faith (a firm relying trust) and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done. And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really believing] you will receive it.
Cindy
Rising Sun In
But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise,
and I will fulfill all my vows.
For my salvation comes from the Lord alone (Jonah 2:9 NLT)
Jennifer Behnke, West Palm Beach, Florida. “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” Titus 2:7-8, ESV
Lola, Greenville NC
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27 (NIV)
Ephesians 3:17 NLT Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
Joli, Georgia James 1:19-26 NIV 19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
Karla Kincade
Indianapolis
“Blessed are those that morn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 NIV
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales, rather, train yourself to be godly. I Timothy 4:7
Denise from Walters, Ok
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:19 KJV)
Nahum 1:7 NIV
The Lord is good,a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is my from yourselves. It is a gift of God. not by works, so that no one can boast.NIV
Jacksonville, FL
Psalms 143:10
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious spirit lead me on level ground.
Alison springfield MO “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NKJV
Janet Bell
Pinson, AL
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 of these things.
Philippians 4:8
albuquerque, nm
Hebrews 11-1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen kjv
Silver City, New Mexico
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV
13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.
Jenni- Minnesota
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2
Sarah Ungerer
Queretaro, Mexico
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Vickie Reynolds, Houston Texas. Have I not commanded you? be strong and courageous.
Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua1:9 NIV
Killeen, TX
For I know the plans that I have for you’, declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope’. NASB
Lindsey Gannaway
Birmingham, AL
Philippians 2:14-15 (NIV): “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”
“Teach me your way, Oh Lord, and I will walk in your truth. Give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:11 ESV
McKinney, Texas
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 NIV
2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. NISB
23. “I have the right to do anything”, you say- but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”- but not everything is constructive.
24. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10: 23-24 NIV