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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (â€2 Timothy‬ â€1‬:â€7‬ ESV)
You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, Hid own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1Peter 2:9 NKJV
Eden Prairie, MN
“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
Mary Lupo, Novi Mi
“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.” Colossians 3:1 NLT
Imperial Beach, CA
Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. Hebrews 13:15-16 NLT
Sheila, Cypress, Tx
“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” Psalm 105:4 (NIV)
For I am the Lord, your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you “Do not fear I will help you”
Isaiah 41:13
Tammi Edwards, Rockford, IL
But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. (â€Deuteronomy‬ â€30‬:â€14‬ NKJV)
According to your faith let it be done to you
Matthew 9:29 NLT- Gina McQuillen/God is Good!
Kathryn, Jacksonville, “for all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God” Romans 3:23 (NASB)
Wendy. Meyer tucson az
Always be humble and gentle.Be patient with each other,making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
Who. 4:2 NLT
Is. 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that bought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Memphis, Tn
“And the God of all grace who called you to
His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little
While , will Himself restore you and make you strong,
firm, and steadfast. I Peter 5:10” NIV
Lee Argyle,Tx
For by You I can run against a troop. And by my God I can leap over a wall.
Psalm 18:29 NKJV
Sandra Ruder, Hillsboro, KS
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
James 4:8 NLT
Val Dyer, Ann Arbor, MI
If God is for us, who is against us?
romans 8:31 (NASB)
A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 esv
Lee from IN; Psalm 44:5 NLT “Only by your power can we drive back our enemies, only in Your name can we trample down our foes.”
Lisa Mast Fort Wayne, IN
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105 ESV
Regina – Lancaster,CA Mathew 5:13-16You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. 14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.
For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord.
Proverbs 8:35 NIV
Above all else guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23
Gen Hull, Omak, WA “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit and with this in view Be on the alert with all perservance and petition for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:17-18 NASB
Psalms 143:10
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
Manassas, Va. Romans 15:13 ESV
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Lisa , Marietta
John 3:30
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” ESV
Debbie Nelson
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Romans 15:13
The Message
Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives,filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope.
Julie Bock, Columbia City, IN “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me – everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT)
Dale Dyer, Georgetown, OH. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5. ESV
Heather Butler, Littleton, CO. “O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.” Psalm 139:1-2 ESV
Dawn K. Airdrie, Alberta Canada
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
1 Peter 3:12-13 NIV
Sevierville, Tn
Have I not commanded you? 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
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you”
1 Peter 5:7 NKJV
Rochelle from Overland Park, KS: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm34:18 NLT
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loves me and gave himself for me. Galations 2:20
Kansas City, MO
Debbie from Bossier City, LA
“Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5
NIV
“In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:6
NIV
Katie Scott, Aubrey, TX “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 NIV
Andrea Welch Spicewood, Texas ” I can do all things through hime who gives me strength” Phil 4:13 NIV
If anyone speaks, they should do it as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised in Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and power forever and ever. Amen. 1Peter 4:11 NIV
Ambria,
wiggins, MS,
Mark 9:23 ” ‘If I can’?” Said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Mark 9:23
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
Psalm 90: verse 4
2 Chronicles 15:7
Be strong and let not your hands be weak and slack, for your work shall be rewarded.
(Amplified Bible)
Lori, Summersville, WV “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me–Watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” James 1:2-3, (ESV)
Bennie Edwards Amarillo, TX
Romans 5:6-9 NIV
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!
Julie Fawcett, Round Rock, Texas
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; 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. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” – Isaiah 43:2-3 (NIV)
Lee Lewis, Cadiz, KY I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (â€Psalm‬ â€91‬:â€2‬ NIV)
Ruthie, Everett WA, Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore! Psalm 105:4 NKJV
2/1/15, 1:46 p.m.
Susan
Tyler, Texas
“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord…”
Ephesians 5:19
NIV