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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Opal McDannald from Odon, IN
Jude 1:21. ” Live in such a way that God’s love can bless you as you wait for the eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy is going to give you. “. NLT
Susan lambert new Carlisle, Oh. Joshua1:9 Esv Have I not commanded you?Be strong and courageous. Do not be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Melanie Franks, Royston, Ga
Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long. (â€Psalm‬ â€25‬:â€5‬ AMP)
Many are the plans in a persons heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21
Midland, Texas
2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV
For we live by faith, not by sight.
Hebrews 4:16 NKJV
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstacle and building lives of obedience into maturity. IICor 10: 3-6 (MSG)
Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.
God doesn’t want us to do things so routine that we don’t care anymore.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on Him in Truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; He also hears their cry and saves them. Psam 145:18-19 NIV
Exodus 34:6
And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord , the Lord , the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness
Jessica, Chandler Oklahoma
I have said these things to you, that in me you have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 ESV
‘Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.’
James 4:7
Shelley Powers Hartford, AR
And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, naked, and defenseless to the eyes of Him to Whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:13
Pam Rowell, Round Rock, Texas “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 NLT
from Pueblo, CO “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 NASB
Romans 12:2 NASB
And do not be conformed 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.
Kari Bollig, Rock Springs, Wyoming. Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16 ESV
Isabel Cornwell from Bradenton, FL
“For your thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, ” declares the Lord. Isa 55:8 NIV
Stephanie from DFW,Texas
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11 KJV
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:14 NIV
Scripture Feb. 1, 2015
“The Lord’s love never ends; His mercies never stop.They are new every morning.”
Lam. 3: 22-23
Cindy Stuart, Trussville, AL
Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Peggy Hodge, Monroe,Louisiana
“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:18 (NKJV)
Jude 1:21. Live in such a way That God’s love can bless you
as you wait for eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christin His mercy is going to give to you
Beth. Nj. NLT
Sherry Mullins from Mansfield TX
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness, made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ (2 Cor 4:6 NIV)
1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV
And these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Brianna, Overland Park, KS. “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14, ESV.
For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but if power and of love and of sound mind. 2 2 Timothy 1 7
Valerie From Kennewick WA
Psalm 63:2,3
I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. NIV
Vonda vestal, Rockwall TX
Therefore we do not lose heart although outwardly we are wasting away but inwardly we are being renewed day by day For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal. II Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV (Praise God! Thank you Jesus!)
NIV. Psalms 37:7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
Justine Crawford
Las Vegas, NV
“O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands” (Nehemiah 1:5 – NIV)
Kristi, Paducah, KY. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. John 8:32 NIV
John 16:33 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.
Tina from Eaton CO
2 chronicles 20:17-18
You shall not need to fight in this battle; take your positions, stand still, and see the deliverance of the Lord [Who is] with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Fear not nor be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.
18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping Him. Amplified Bible
Isaiah 33:6 (NIV)
He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.
Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Abi Welch, Luverne, AL. “6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it
Psalm 118:24
Amy Abilene, TX
Isaiah 40:28 “Do you not know, have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.”
Alicia Estrada-Home, San Antonio, TX. ” ‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” Ephesians 4:26 & 27
Claire Hurn. Ottawa, ON, Canada. “If you love Me, you will obey my commandments.” John 14:15 NET
Michelle Pendleton, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
“Fools are quick to express their anger, but wise people are patient and control themselves.”(â€Proverbs‬ â€29‬:â€11‬ ERV)
Geneiveve, Elberta, AL
Joshua 1:9. “I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord you God is with you wherever you go.” NRSV
Jerrica, Marietta, GA. “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Agains such things there is no law”. Galatians 5:22-23.
And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 NIV)
Nicole; Kannapolis, NC
Transforming my life one verse at a time!
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in The Lord.”
Psalms 31:24
Carla Cannon from Nashville, TN
Isaiah 26:3 (Living Bible) He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in Him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord!
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for the people. – Colossians 3:23 NLT