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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lisa Martin – Chesterfield MO
Pride leas to disgrace but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2 NLT
I struggle with Pride and need to remember to humble myself as I am nothing without my Lord and Savior.
Laura Wyrabkiewicz, Ida, Michigan
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height, nor death, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 NKJV
Deland,FL
Why am I praying like this? Because I know you will answer me, O God! Yes, listen as I pray.
Psalms 17:6 Life Application Bible
Cathy Robinson, Chester, UK
So is my word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Isaiah 53:11 (NIV)
Lisa Jensen, Lyman, WY
Philippians 4:13 NIV
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction. faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Lori, Bossier City, La.
“Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his;” Daniel 2:20 KJV
Donna Rose. Jayess, MS.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
Deland, FL
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us.” Ephesians 3:20 NKJV
Kathy from Alcoa, TN
Genesis 4:7
If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And it’s desire is for you, but you should rule over it. NKJV
TaTanisha Shumpert- Jackson, MS
Ephesians 4:5 KJV
One Lord, one faith, one baptism
Psalm 91: 1- 4 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your sheald and rampart.
Deland, FL
“But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 KJV
Deland, FL
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9 NKJV
Charlotte Heisel, Modesto, CA
Exodus 14:14 NIV
The LORD will fight for you; you need only be still.
gina
morro bay
whoever claims to live in him must walk as jesus did
1 john 2:6 niv
Haley thiels. Pineville Louisiana kjv amos 5:14 seek good and not evil that ye may live and so the lord the God of hosts shall be with you as he have spoken
1 Corinthians 13:2-8New International Version (NIV)
2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[a] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.
Michelle, Pella, IA
Know then in your heart that,as a man disciplines his son,the LORD your God disciplines you.
Heather, Florence, MS: The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodux 14:14 NIV
Lisa English, Lincoln, NE: “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 4:29 NIV
Joy Schilli
Anna, TX
For My thoughts are not your thoughts and your ways are not My ways. For as heaven is higher than the earth so My ways are higher than your ways and thoughts than your thoughts.
-Isaiah 55:8,9
Holman version
Michelle, Queen City, Tx
“Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of may kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance” James 1:2-3 NIV
Renea Harrison. Howe, Texas
I will delight myself in your statues, I will not forget your word.
Psalms 119:16. AMP Bible
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isa 40:31 NLT
Melanie Loperano, Atlanta, GA
Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Proverbs 1:8 NASB
Stacy P, Marietta GA~ Give thanks to Him who placed the earth among the waters. His faithful love endures forever.
Lynann, Artesia N.M.
Ephesians 6:10-11
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
NLT
Melissa Beth, Murphy,IL
In my distress I called to the Lord and he answered me. Psalm 120:1 ESV
Debbie H., N Richland Hills, TX
As the deer pants for the streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. Psalms 42:1 NIV
Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Holly Simmons, Arlington,Tx
But God show his love for us in that while we
were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 (ESV)
“This is what the Lord says:
‘In the time of my favor I will answer you,…”
Isaiah 49:8
Psalms 9:9 KJV
The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
Carrie Donnell Tallmadge,OH
The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Psalms 145:8 esv
LaVonne Hunt, Wyoming, Rev 3:20, Behold! i stand at the door and knock, If any man hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in, and dine with him and he with me. Revelation 3:20 NKJV
Sulphur, LA
Psalms 139:23 NIV
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Tina Lockhart, Gulfport, Ms
Ezra 10;14 NIV
Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.
Bethany Smith, Mineral Wells, Tx
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer
Romans 12:12
Meekel Langford; Monterey, TN
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve once another. Galatians 5:13 NASB
Psalm 25:4-5(NLT)
Show me the right path, O Lord;
point out the road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
Kay Tucker, Elyria, Ohio “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” II Corinthians 10:5 KJV
Romans 12:12 NIV
Be joyful in hope (meaning the hope we have in Jesus), patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Doris, Madison, MS. “Blessed be The Lord, who daily loaded us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.” Psalm 68:19. (KJV)
Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus for through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death!
Romans8:1
Christin Fletcher, Abilene, Texas.
Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly as I should. Ephesians 6:18-20 NIV
1 Corinthians 1:19
For it is written:
I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate. NIV
Teresa Cartersville, GA
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it for the Lord and not merely for people.
“So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.” (â€Hosea‬ â€6‬:â€3‬ NASB)