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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Habakkuk 3:19 NASB
The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds feet, and makes me walk on high places.
I am behind in posting, but started Jan. 1 with Psalm 23:1-3 From Jacksonville, FL 🙂
I am behind in posting, but started Jan. 1; From Jacksonville, FL 🙂
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3 (NASB)
Karen Shroyer, Deer Park, WA “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”
Psalm 127:1
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. . Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
Gwen Valles Fort Collins, CO “a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.” Ecclesiastes 3:4 (NKNJ)
Maryanne Svoboda, Houston Texas
“It is by grace you are saved, through faith- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
9.As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10.If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11.I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12.My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13.Greater love has no one than this, that he/lay down his life for his friends. 14.You are my friends if you do what I command.
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning. I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble
Psalm 59:16
NIV
“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with signing.”
(Zephaniah 3:17 NIV)
Marie Skipper, Granger, Tx “Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and shun evil”
Proverbs 3:7
“Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Humbly receive the implanted word. (James 1:19-21 NIV)
John 14:27 NASB
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled nor let it be fearful.”
This peace is also one of the fruits of the spirit…take it and let HIS true peace abide in your heart.
Stacey Miller, McKinney, TX
“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” Psalm 90:14 NIV
Katie from Easley, SC: “But thanks be unto God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 KJV
Kristin Evans, Durban, South Africa
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You. Isaiah 26:3 NIV
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Collegeville Pa: PUT on therfore armor of God that you may be able to stand against theschemes of the devil.
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3 NLT
Artie from Salt Lake City, UT “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Houston, TX “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
Shelby Johnson
Glenville, NC
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (ESV)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (â€Proverbs‬ â€1‬:â€7‬ NIV)
Dana M.
Baton Rouge, La.
Psalm 9:10
For those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord have never forsaken those who seek you.
Brentwood, TN
Yet you are near, O Lord,
and all your commands are true. Psalm 119:151 (NIV)
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 NIV84
Licking, MO NIV Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Megan- Columbus, Ohio
I was baptized this past weekend so this felt appropriate 🙂
” We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
Romans 6:4
1 Thessalonians 4:11 NLT- Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business, and working with your hands just as we instructed you to do.
Jennie Bowers, DeLand,Fl
It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details.
Ephesians 3:7
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarded of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 NKJV
Phillis White, Shelby, NC…Feb 1, 2015 verse
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 ESV. Phillis White, Shelby, NC…January 15, 2015 verse (posted to FB & not the blog, so repeated here)
Allison Yount, Clearwater Beach, FL
Since, then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3: 1-2
Louise Blount Colorado Springs CO
” But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience” Romans 8:25 NIV
Olathe, KS: “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14
Cass Emerson Livingston,Tx
“Do not be wise in your own eyes;fear the Lord and shun evil. Proverbs 3:7 NIV
Proverbs 18:6 NIV
The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.
Crystal Jordan Fort Worth TX
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
Psalm 119:9
A few days late-I’ve had my scripture written down and am working on it but I haven’t had the opportunity to post it here yet so here it is:
“If you have Faith as a grain of mustard, you will say to you mountain Move, and it will move….and Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; but not perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4: 8-10 ESV
Susanna Andrews, Duvall, WA
Proverbs 4:25-27 ESV
Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
Rose Marie Dillon
Pflugerville TX
John 1:1-2 (NASB)
IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
Susan Adams, Waddy, Ky
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayers. Romans 12:12 (NIV)
“And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that.” Luke 6:33 NIV
” For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19
Rachel
Tucson AZ
James 5:16 NIV
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
Brianna from Jonesboro, AR
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Tanya, Elizabethtown, PA
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
He has shown you,O mortal, what is good. And what does The Lord require of you but to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
Robin – Villa Ridge, MO
Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting.