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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)
2 Timothy 1:7 (ASV) For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline.
Shelly from Aledo, IL
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27
Aimee, St. George, UT
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10, NLT
Val, Bend Oregon.
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8 (NIV)
Debbie Gordon – Severna Park, MD
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
(Matthew 6:19-21 ESV)
Dana Burden, Elkhart, IN
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV
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 NLV
Laura Devine, Tacoma, Wash.; “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Col 3:22-24 NIV84
Isaiah 43:19
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.
Vickie Gray from Wichita falls, Texas: “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
Shannon Ledford, Tampa, FL “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forever more.” Psalm 16:11 ESV
Cheryl Moses from Houston, TX
Colossians 1:22 – Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.
Beverly Smith
Pomeroy, Ohio
“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” Psalm 20:4 NIV
Stephanie M. Smith, Indianapolis, Indiana. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
Kay Cavnar, Carrollton, TX – “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Galations 5:6b
Margaret, Kingsport, TN –
“A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.”
Proverbs 14:30 NLT
Hey Margaret – I’m in Kingsport too! Blessings to you!
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Romans 12:12 KJV
Jana Schick, Fritch Texas
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. Lamentations 3:22-23 New International Version
Christy Daniels, Nampa, ID. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways and he will make your paths straight,” Proverbs 3:5-6 NET
Didn’t post my verses:2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV
16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Victoria Leong, Grosse Pointe Park, MI
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Galatians 6:9-10, NASB
Kathi, Westminster, CO
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11KJV
Heather Soper, Westland, MI.
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
1 John 4:4 NIV
Arlas Blackwell, Artesia New Mexico
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. ~Psalm 73:26 (NIV)
Hi! Happy New Year! Excited about this and the accountability this will provide us girls.
My first verse is Colossians 2:20- “For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works in me.”
Amy; Milton, WA
“I, James, a slave of God and Master Jesus, am writing to the twelve tribes scattered to kingdom come, Hello. Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when trials and challenges come at you from all sides. You know when you are under pressure your faith life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. Do not try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so that you may become mature and well developed, not deficient in any way. If you do not know what you are doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help.”
James 1:1-5, MSG
Annie; Milton, WA
“in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Gen. 1:1, EVS
My friend has almost all of James memorized
Retta from Raleigh, NC.
“Let eh word of Christ dwell in your richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16 (NKJV)
Brenda Lenz, Georgetown, Texas – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” -2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
Gabriela Chicas ,Jacksonville FL
january 1,2015 at 11:25 am
I advise you to keep the commandment of the king and the oath of god
Eclesiastes 8:3 RVR190
A beautiful verse Gaby. I am so happy to be sharing this with my girls. 🙂
Laura Nixon, Gardendale, Alabama, Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (Luke 1:45 NIV)
Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing;it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’
John 8:54 NASB
Tiffany Jones, Valparaiso,Indiana.
“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 (NLT)
Tiffany- I grew up in Portage, Indiana!! 🙂
Melanie Grace from Greenbrier,Tn.
And God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good. (Genesis 1:31 KJV)
Sheree Brugmann, West Chicago, Illinois. “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16 ESV
This is what the Lord says, “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.” — Isaiah 43:16, 18-19
Julie Tanti, Spokane WA
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”
Philippians 4:13 NKJV
“Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.” Hosea 10:12 NIV
Linda Wright, Sugar Land, Texas – “My heart rejoices in The Lord; in The Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in Your deliverance.” 1 Samuel 2:1 (NIV)
Debbie C. Leavenworth, KS
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Hebrews 13:5 KJV
Breyona Lewis Ypsilanti, MI
John 1:1-5 NIV
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it!
Sheri ~ Lexington, SC
“And he answered, ‘You shall love the Love your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.'”
Luke 10:27 ESV
Tara Milligan Stigler, OK. “But wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
Macy Alexander, Phenix City AL
Isaiah 41:9-10
I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said,”You are my servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Elisabeth
South Africa
“Oh, Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.” Psalm 139:1 TLB
SO excited about doing it this year!!
Karen Beckles, Toronto, Canada “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9, NLT
God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Psalms 46:1
Lou Ann Smith, McAllen, TX
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. Psalm 86:12 ESV
Candi Whitehead, Big Spring, TX “For God did not give a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Saginaw, MI
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27 ESV