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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress,
and for his children it will be a refuge. Prov. 14:26 NIV
“May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, our glorious Father, give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” Ephesians 1:17
Barbara. Deer Lodge
“Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. Exodus 23:20 (ESV)
February 2. 2015
Beverly Price from Conway, AR
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 (NKJV)
Please pray for a very sick grand baby and unsaved mother.
Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24
Kim Daniell, Villa Rica, GA
I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart. (â€Jeremiah‬ â€24‬:â€7‬ NIV)
Judy Gentry, Stigler, OK Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:10-11 ESV
Terry Colomba Hardy, VA
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and blameless to God: this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you will be able to determine what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2
Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. Isaiah 64:4 (NIV)
Jennifer, Houston
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
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.
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Grand Lake, LA- I am Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. Malachi 3:6 NKJV
Carol Stainbrook, Kimberling City, MO
“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” Proverbs 19:11 NIV
Ps 20:7,8 (CEB)
Some people trust in chariots, others in horses; but we praise the Lord’s name. … we will stand straight and strong.
Kelly Sonderby, San Clemente, CA “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians‬ â€4‬:â€6-7‬ NLT
Alycia. Granada,MN.
Psalms 9:10 NIV.
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Galatians 6:9 NIV
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
He cuts off every branch in me that does not bear fruit while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:2 NIV
How do I join scripture memory group? Thanks
Teri, Campobello, S.C. ” His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden.” Habakkuk 3:4 NIV
Angie Godwin, Bartow, Florida
Romans 15:13
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
Kimbely from Perrysburg, Ohio Ephesians 1:18-19 KJV “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power.”
Farmington, MO, You need to stick out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion. Hebrews 10:36 MSG
Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (NIV)
Tammy-Grand Junction, CO – “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You”. Psalm 119:11
Morgan from Arlington, VA, Ephesians 4:29, NIV “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.”
CindyHelen from Ashland, Ohio
“Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:20 ESV
Misty, Calhoun, GA
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man/woman of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16 (HCSB)
Luke 8:15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” John 14:26 NKJV
Susan, Lahaina, HI
“But I am poor and needy;
Yet the Lord thinks upon me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
Do not delay, O my God.” Psalm 40:17(NKJV)
“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6
Erryn, Ridgecrest CA
Philippians 4:13 NLT
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Tracy, Marion, IL
“God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” NIV
Leia Brown from Las Vegas, Nevada
Romans 12:2 NIV
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you and that your joy may be full.”
John 15:11. NKJV
Janice
Wilmore, KY
My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your saving acts all day long, though I know not how to relate them.
Psalm 71:15
Tina, Montgomery,AL
Romans12:2 NLT
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Tina, Montgomery, AL
Romans 12:3 NLT
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by he faith God has given us.
Psalm 105:4
Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.
Allison, Austin
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Phil 4:6-7
Conroe, Texas
“2. A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot. 3. A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build up.”
Ecclesiastes 3: 2-3 NIV
Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him; Proverbs 30:5
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18
Linda.Grantham from Raymind, MS
James 3:17 ESV
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
Susan Hall, Sevierville TN
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
Prov. 31:25 NLT