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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Terri Hansen, Stuart, Iowa
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23 NIV
I Thessaloniand 1:3
We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Revelation 21:5 (KJV)
5 And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Bealeton, VA
Revelation 21:5 (KJV)
5 And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Kathy, Bryant AR;
Joining late – My 3 verses plus 1:
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1: 9-12 (NIV)
Matthew 5:44 (KJV)
Gretchen from Georgia
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and make prayer for those who are cruel to you.
Cecilia Bramhall, Pflugerville,TX
Psalm 27:8 NIV
“My heart says of You, ‘seek His face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
Jenna Grantham
Tucson, AZ
“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” – â€Psalms‬ â€118‬:â€6‬
The LORD your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Teresa Menifee Ca
NIV Proverbs 3:5: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…
PatWilfong, GreenBankWV
When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
Luke 4.13 NRSV.
(this verse so resonates with me that the devil never really stops trying to defeat me, the devil just waits for an opportune time to sneak right back in there to torment me. I’d do well to be ready, since I’ve been warned. but that’s just it, when its the opportune time,
just may be when I’m not able to fight, that’s why it so important that I know that God knows where I am at this very moment.)
January, Houston
Hosea 13:5, ESV “It was I who knew you in the wilderness, in the land of drought.”
PSALMS 30:8 TO YOU O LORD I CRY AND TO THE LORD I PLEAD FOR MERCY.
PSALMS 30:10 HEAR O LORD AND BE MERCIFUL TO ME O LORD BE MY HELPER.
PSALMS 19:4 MAY HE GRANT YOU YOUR HEART’S DESIRE AND FULFILL ALL YOUR PLANS.
LATE ENTRY ALL THREE VERSES
CARRIER MILLS, ILLINOIS
HARRISBURG, ILLINOIS
LUKE 1:37 FOR NOTHING WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD.
Harrisburg,Illinois
PHILLIPIANS 4:8 Finally brethren what ever thing are true what ever things are noble what ever things are just whatever things are pure whatever things are lovely whatever things are of good r3eport if there3 is any virtue if there be anything praiseworthy meditate on these things.
Jeanise Newsom Flynn,Texas. Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer you bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God- this is your true and proper worship. Do not be conformed 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 12:1-2 NIV…January scriptures
Aimee R Ft Wayne, IN
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will gaurd your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Cathy, Fort Worth, TX
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3
Judy, Middleton, WI
Psalm 100:5
For the Lord is good and his love endures forevers; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Hattiesburg, MS
Isaiah 40:29 Holman Christian Standard
He gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless.
Suzie from Pageland. NIV Psalm 34: 8-9
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.
Ephesians 1:20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, (NIV)
Valerie from Kennewick
Triple blessing! I was standing in line at the pharmacy with 5 people in front of me and no one waiting on the customers inside the store. The one person that was selling the medications was doing the drive through window. I am impatient and almost decided to leave and come back later. Instead I decided to review the Bible verses I am memorizing. I thought about how I could apply them. Then I started a friendly conversation with the customers around me. The next thing I knew there were 3 staff members selling the medications and I was out the door in less than 7 minutes.
He canceled the record of the charges against us, and took it away by nailing it to a tree. Col. 2:14 NLT
Pamela Fulbright-Scheyer, Houston,Texas
Colossians 1:9 NLT
So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Susan from Indianapolis, Indiana. “Keep your heart with all vigilance. For from it flows the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech and put devious talk far from you. Proverbs 4:23-24 ESV
Amy from Corinth, TX … “My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 NIV
Julie. Albuquerque.
Every day (with its new reasons) will I bless You (affectionately and gratefully praise You); yes, I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Psalm 145:2
II Corinthians 10:5
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
NIV Version
Psalm 86:11Teach me your way, Lord,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
Goodyear, AZ. Deuteronomy 32:3-4 I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
Matthew 7:13-14 NIV: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Hasty, Taylor Mill, KY. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; Walk in it.'” Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Amanda Peper, Springfield, Missouri
“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 you hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7 NLT
Gina, Garland, Tx
Therefor since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses let us throw off everything that hinders and sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Dolly M, Torrington, CT.”Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians‬ â€5‬:â€16-18‬ NIV)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Tracy Smith, Guthrie, Oklahoma “For I am Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” ISAIAH 41:13 NIV
“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
Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save. Isaiah 46:3-4
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 NIV
Joyce Hayes Feb 9th 5:35
Jer 33:3
Call on me, I will hear you and
Show you great and mighty things
you know not of. KJV
Terri Hansen
Stuart, Iowa
“The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.” Proverbs 12:15 NIV
Tami, Louisiana
“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)
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.
James 1:5 (NIV)
Fayetteville, GA
1 John 4:10 (NIV)
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Susan Truelove
Indianapolis, IN
“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” Proverbs 4:25-27 ESV
Psalms 51:10 – Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Olathe, KS
Tanya, Elizabethtown, PA
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Kim
Batesville, MS Instead be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 NLT