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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jill, Greeley, CO
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. Galations 5:22 ESV
Sherri Cincinnati Ohio “But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.” Psalm 52:8 NIV
Feb. 3, 2015 Buda Tx . NIV Galatians 5:16 So I say, live by the spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
(I’m late to the party, but I want to join!)
Nicole, Ruston, LA – “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in him and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalm 28:7
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in time of trouble. Psalm 59:16
Bowling Green, Ohio
I have my two verses for January and one for February. I will post both of January’s here.
#1 – God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9 NIV
#2 – Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5: 7-8 NIV
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
17 The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Deb Schlaud, North Branch, MI. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” Romans 12:12 NIV
Tessa Clark, Jefferson City, MO “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1
Jess :: Houghton, NY ::
But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers…
Jeremiah 17:7-8a (MSG)
Christy Rollings, Jacksonville “You did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. John 15;16 ESV
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Jennifer Campbell For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might become his righteousness of God in him. 2 Cor. 5:21
Rachel Wingerd Kilgore, tx. The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (â€Romans‬ â€5‬:â€20-21‬ NIV)
Carmen, Eau Claire, WI
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor. 12:9-10 NIV
Zechariah 9:11-12
11
“As for you also,
Because of the blood of your covenant,
I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.
12
Return to the stronghold,
You prisoners of hope.
Even today I declare
That I will restore double to you.
Zephaniah 3:17 (WEB)
Yahweh, your God, is among you, a mighty one who will save. He will rejoice over you with joy. He will calm you in His love. He will rejoice over you with singing.
Deborah Seymour,TN
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide in the shade of the Almighty.
Psa 91:1 HRB
Deborah Seymour,TN
I will say to YAHWEH: My Refuge and my Fortress, my Elohim; I will trust in Him.Psa 91:2HRB
Deborah Seymour,TN
For He delivers you from the fowlers snare, from destruction’s plague.Psa 91:3 HRB
“1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1 ESV, Glo
For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
Robin Moore, Crossville, TN
May your unfailing love be with us,LORD, even as we put I ur trust in you. Psalm 33:22 NIV
Beth, Raleigh NC
I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
Luke 10:19 (NIV)
Kristi Bean, Nederland, Texas
Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NASB)
Angie Dick, Woodsfield, Ohio
For He that is mighty has done to me great things; and holy is His name. Luke 1:49
Come all to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Matt 11:28
Tara, Ogallala, NE
Hebrews 11:1
“Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” (New American Bible)
Lori Russell, Chattaroy, Washington. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Eph. 6:12,13 ESV
Diane Price, Nowata, OK
Psalm 77:14. NIV
You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.
Torri Whalen,Claremont Calif.
Philippians 4:6NIV
Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation,by prayer and petition,with thanksgiving,present your requests to God.
Misty in Claremore, OK
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
” Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet 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. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Kerrie Wilson, Jonesboro, AR.”I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galations 2:20 ESV
Beth (St. Petersburg, FL)
Phil. 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;” (NKJV)
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ” Colossians 3 : 16
Julie Caudle, Rosenberg, TX 1Corinthians 10:31, NIV
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Sandy Nixon “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.” Psalm 63;3 NIV
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8,9 NIV
Karrie Doll Wisconsin
Proverbs 27:19
A mirror reflects a man’s face, but what he us really like is shown by the friends he choose
Charles Town, WV
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
Hebrews 6:19 NIV
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:2-3 NIV
Matthew 6:33, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Debbie Farley, Lancaster, TX
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. (â€Romans‬ â€8‬:â€1-2‬ NLT)
Sarah Pomerleau, Lewiston, ME “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” I Corinthians 1:9 ESV
Tracy (White lake,Mi) And my God will liberally supply ([a]fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 (AMP)
Bonnie Mink, (Hendersonville, TN ) 1/1/15 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5 & 6 NIV
1/15/15 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30 NIV
2/1/15 Lord through all generations you have been our home! Before the mountains were created, before the earth was formed, you are God without beginning or end. Psalm 90:1 & 2 TLB
Johannesburg
However as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived.” the things that God has prepared for those who love him 1 Corinthians 2:9