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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Susan M. Hall, Sevierville, TN
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is in the Lord.
Jeremiah 17:7 NISB
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;” Psalm 1:1 ESV
“but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:2 ESV
Rachel, Vancouver, Washington. “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” Genesis 15:6 NIV
Regina OBrien, Birmingham, AL
“May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13 ESV
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 NIV
Leanne Eldridge, Georgetown, TN, “If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:15 NIV
Ashley Madrigal, Dayton, Tx
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last – and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” John 15:16 NIV
Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin. For he who has died is freed from sin. Romans 6: 6,7 NASB
Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me, let them bring me to your holy mountain to the place where you dwell. Psalm 43:3, NIV
Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
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.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
ROMANS 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of GOD is eternal life in CHRIST JESUS our LORD.
Danae Allen, Portland, Oregon
“This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NLT
Amy Antony, Portland, OR
Psalm 28:7 NIV
[7] The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
Janet Nelson
Gladstone, OR
as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us
Psalm 103:12 NIV
Jessica Haberman, Battle Ground, WA
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV
Sarah, Fairfield Maine “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:4-6 NIV)
Carol, Wilsonville, Oregon “The Lord your God is in your midst; He is a warrior who can deliver. He takes great delight in you; He renews you by His love; He shouts for joy over you.” Zephaniah 3:17 NET
Teresa, Menifee California
“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
Dolly M, Torrington, CT: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (â€Romans‬ â€8‬:â€38-39‬ NIV)
Denver, CO
Ephesians 2:4-5 NKJV
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
Ginny White. – Orofino Idaho
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12. NIV
Kathryn Anderson, Jacksonville, Fl: “As it is written: There is none righteous, not even one” Romans 3:10 NASB
(My one from February 15)
Kayley Hibbert Camp Point, IL Matthew 28:19-20 NIV
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Kayley Hibbert: Camp Point, IL
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who shall go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. And me!” NIV
Chris Ann Grotzinger, Houston, TX
What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare His own Son but offered Him up for us all; how will He not also with Him grant us everything? Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the One who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
Romans 8:31-35 (HCSB)
Chris from Thousand Oaks, CA
Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (â€Jeremiah‬ â€9‬:â€23-24‬ ESV)
Lerato Thelejane , Johannesburg
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10b
Lisa Martin, Chesterfield, MO
Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
Proverbs 10:19 NLT
Words are powerful and are a direct reflection of your heart. Sow good fruit! You will reap what you sow and be judge for it. Love you all.
Isaiah 33:6 NIV
He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.
From Rancho Viejo, TX…
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.
Jer 29:11 (NIV)
Dolly M, Torrington, CT: Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (â€1 Peter‬ â€4‬:â€10‬ NIV)
These words hold me up in bad times; yes your promises rejuvenate me.
Psalm 119: 50 (MSG)
Ephesians 6:11
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Angie – Jacksonville, TX – Proverbs 3:5 NIV Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding
Tiffany Peterson- Jasper, TX
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Susan
Tyler, Texas
March 1, 2015 at 11:15 p.m.
“See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”
Hebrews 12:15 (NIV)
Leslie Brown, Denver, CO
James 1:2 NIV
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kind.
Jody Casey, Fresno, CA “now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
II Corinthians 3:17 ESV
Tammi Edwards, Rockford, IL “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (â€Matthew‬ â€11‬:â€28-30‬ NKJV)
Makenzie Taylor. Cullman, Alabama.
“Whom have I in Heaven but you? And besides you, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
-Psalm 73:25-26 (NASB)
Ginger from amarillo, Tx
“I hope to visit you soon and to talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete.”
2 Johnt 1:12
NLT
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
Peggy Hodge, Monroe, LA – “Trust in the Lord with all your
heart, and lean not to your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.”
Proverbs 3:4-5 (NKJV)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday,today,and forever!
Hebrew 13:8
James 1:2-4 (KJV)
2) My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations,
3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4) But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect, and entire, wanting nothing.
Psalm 34:8-9(NIV)
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
9Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
Christie Miller from Memphis Tn posts 3-2-15
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3 ( NKJ )
Apostles Creed – First part – I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontitus Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.