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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Judy Gentry, Stigler, OK
Romans 12:9-13 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. ESV
Julie Wilson, West Richland WA:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5, NIV
“Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me”
Psalm 119:133 NKJV
For I am the Lord your God who says to you, do not fear. I will take hold of your right hand, I will help you. Isaiah 41:13
Becky Crider, Dallas TX, “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even though we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved). Ephesians 2:4-5 NKJ
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
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.
nancy from broomall, pa “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John 1:14 (NIV)
Roberta Barcelos, Boston, MA:
Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love”
– Joel 2:13, ESV
Sarah Wiginton, Claremore, OK
You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.
Psalm 119:114 ESV
Susanna
Duvall, WA
Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” (â€John‬ â€8‬:â€10-11‬ NLT)
Rosa, Houston, TX
My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. Psalms 119:25 (KJV)
Teresa Shaw
Goodlettsville, Tn
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NIV
I would have despaired unless I believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13
Nicole
Auburn, WA
“The Lord is a friend in those who fear HIM, HE teaches them HIS covenant.”
Psalm 25:14 NLT
Stacy Klein-Medina, TN “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you are working for the Lord and not for people.” Colossians 3:23
Stephanie
Rocklin, CA
Phil 4:6 (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm. Because God can be trusted to keep his promise.” Hebrews 10:23. NLT
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall. Psalm 55:22 (NIV)
1 Chronicles 28:20 NIV
David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work of the temple of the Lord is finished.
Jackie
Puyallup WA
Colossians 3:16 nkj
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Eph 1:17 NIV
I keep asking that the Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious father, grant you the spirit of wisdom and revelation that you may know him better
March 1, 2015
‘In his heart a man plans his course but the Lord determines his steps.’
Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace. NIV
Johnny Hurley
Emmetsburg, Iowa
Jeremiah 29:11, NLT
For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Courtney
Seattle, Washington
Romans 5:1 ESV
“Therefore since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 3:18 NLT
And may you have the power to understand as all God’s people do how wide, how long how high and how deep His love is.
Ephesians 3:19 NLT
May you experience the love of Christ, though it’s too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Jill Battles
Fayetteville, GA
Philippians 1:27 NIV
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Dana McCormick
Baton Rouge, LA
Luke 6:35
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
” I love you, Oh Lord, my strength”
Psalms 18:1
Women of Faith Study Bible NIV
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;
The punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed. ”
Isaiah 53:5
Women of Faith NIV
Debbie Hynes
Bossier City, LA
Tanya, Elizabethtown, PA
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:14 NIV
March 1st late posting — “The Lord is near all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” Psalm 145:18. NIV
Lisa Corbin,KY
Romans 12:12 NASB
Be joyful in hope
Patient in affliction
Faithful in prayer.
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 NIV
Heather Dutton, League City, Tx “He had delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son” Colossians 1:13 ESV
Cristy Ricker, Goodlettsville, TN
He said to them,”Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Mark 16:15NIV
Cristy Ricker, Goodlettsville, TN
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved,but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Mark 16:16 NIV
Sabrina Young, Yakima, WA
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!” – Luke 1:45 NIV
JoAnn, Columbia,Mo
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform 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. (â€Romans‬ â€12‬:â€1-2‬ NIV)
Emily Urso, Pittsburgh, PA
Phil 4:6 (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Midland, TX
James 1:2 (HCSB)
Consider it a great joy, my brothers,
whenever you experience various trials,
John 3:14. and as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the son of man be lifted up.
Rosella , Huntinvton,WV. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of thinhs not seen. Hebrews 11:1 NIV.
Colossians 2:7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Jenni Thomas, Tionesta, PA.
Joy- Georgetown, TX “I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.” NIV
The eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deut. 33:27a. NIV
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV) 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”” Isa. 43:1
DENA ELAM @ HARRISBURG, ILLINOIS
2 CORINTHANS 5:7 FOR WE WALK BY FAITH ,NOT BY SIGHT.