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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lynsey Licking MO.
Don’t be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.
Phillipians 4:6 (NIV)
“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 NIV
Cheryl. Psalms 37:7. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.
Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
Allison from NY
Commit to The Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
-Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Melanie G. Costa Mesa, CA -And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness-secret riches. I will do this so that you will know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name. Isaiah 45:3
Casper, Wyoming. “Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain,to the place where you live.” Psalm 43:3 NLT
Paula, Gillett,
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7 NIV
Melinda Sue Kimble, Nashville, TN
fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Tiffany Peterson-Jasper, TX
To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: (â€Ecclesiastes‬ â€3‬:â€1‬ NKJV)
Mary Rhodes
Hermantown, Minnesota
But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run & not grow weary,
they will walk & not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Boise, ID
2 Kings 6:17 – NIV
And Elisa prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, that he may see.” Then the Lord, opened the servants eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Hot Springs, Ar.
“he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.
Titus 3:5 ESV
Debbie from Wooster, OH. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God”. Philippians 4:6
Robin Shackleford. Hendersonville, TN. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 429. NIV
Kay from Carrollton, TX
“Turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding.” Proverbs 2:2 (NIV)
Zachary, LA
“But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”
Isaiah 52:12 NIV
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones healthy. (â€Proverbs‬ â€15‬:â€30‬ NKJV)
Matthew 7:11
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Wilmington, NC
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
Jennifer, Elmore City, OK
Col 4:6 NKJ- Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Jefferson, GA
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. “
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (â€Isaiah‬ â€26‬:â€3‬ NIV)
Kimber, East Hampton, CT
Giving myself a challenge this month. 🙂
“Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”
Matthew 7:20-23 ESV
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Isaiah 26:3 NLT
Grand Lake, LA- Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings. Ps 17:8 NKJV
Libby Noland, Clinton, MO
He prayed to the Lord, “O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. (Jonah 4:2 NIV)
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7 NLT
This is now my life verse.
Kalen, Hanston, KS
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8(a) (NIV)
Rae’chell Weaver, Wylie, TX
“Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.” Psalm 119:133 (NIV)
Valerie Pflugerville, TX
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Camon, Longmont, CO
All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
And great shall be the peace of your children.
Isaiah 54:13(NKJV)
Michelle Taylor Fernandina Beach, Florida
Finally, be strong in The Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV
JanĂ©e Ackermann, Covina, CA Â
Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. – James 4:9-10 ESV
Shelly, Reed City, MI.
Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, O Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence. 2 Chronicles 6:19 NIV
Jackie Q., Deltona, FL, “Out of my distress I called upon the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free and in a large place.” Psalms 118:5 AMP
Jo Alice Hall, madison, MS
“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
Ephesians 4:29 NLT
Chris Tippecanoe, Ohio
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 1 Timothy 6:11 KJV
Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. Romans 4:20-21 NIV
Carolea lombardo, Chino CA:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (â€Romans‬ â€1‬:â€16-17‬ NIV)
Rebekah Dindak, Allen, TX
“Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.” Psalm 63:3 ESV
Sharon Perdue in Vilseck, Germany
You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
Psalm 32:7 ESV
Marylee Hamblin, Nicholasville, KY, “You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.” Psalm 139:3 NIV
Rachel Edwards, Birmingham, England.
Psalm 16:7-8 NLT
I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
Karen: Souderton,PA
Psalm 62:5-6 ESV
For God alone, O’ my soul wait in silence, For my hope is from Him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress: I shall not be shaken.
Kaitlynn Peterson , Nixa, MO Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 HCSB
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Romans 1:16 NIV
Macy Colebank from Shelbyville, KY
“As water reflects the face, so ones life reflects the heart.”
Proverbs 27:19 NIV
Nikki, Katy, TX
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NIV
Find rest O my soul in God alone: my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock & my salvation; He is my fortress; I will not be shaken. My salvation & honor depend on God. He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:5-8