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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Proverbs 3:25
Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh
Debbie Baker, Las Vegas, NV
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:12-13 NIV
April 1, 2015 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Eph 6:12 (NKJV)
Ephesians 4:29 CSB
No rotten talk should come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone in need, in order to give grace to those that hear.
Becky Mims Midland, Texas
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV
Lisa Martin, Chesterfield, MO
To learn, you must love disciplie; it is stupid to hate correction.
Proverbs 12:1 NLT
God reminds us not to rely on ourselves and gently reminds us with his discipline. Lord, please correct me and mold me into Your desire.
Staci Garriott, Meridian, TX
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and Henwill make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Kimber Perrotta
East Hampton, CT
“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” ~ Matthew 25:40, NLT
Albany, GA
Proverbs 16:2-3
“All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Loed weighs the motives. Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.”
NASB
Nicole Turley; Muskogee, OK. “So is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (â€James‬ â€1‬:â€19-20‬ NKJV)
–Louisiana <3
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NIV
Regina Nations
Lancaster , CA
2 Timothy 2:21 if a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the master and prepared to do any good work.
Jacksonville, FL
Psalm 27:1&2. KJV. (Because I’m catching up)
The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid.
When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.
Peggy Hodge, Monroe, LA – “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mine.” 2 Tim. 1:7, KJV
Psalm 16:5.6 NIV
Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; Surely I have a delightful inheritance.
” I give you a new commandment: Love each other, Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other.” (John 13:34 CEB)
Lisa Spitler, Camas, WA
“faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) ESV
2383 Juanita Drive, Denison, Texas
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
Late entry – I’m working on Colossians this year, and need the accountability to stay consistent. I love your community – been memorizing with you since 2009!
Bridget in Phoenix, AZ
Colossians 1:20 NKJV (Perfect for Good Friday!)
and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:25 NLT
Kay Mills , Alpharetta GS
Seek to live a quite life , to mind your own business and to work with your own hands as we commanded you. 1 The Thessalonians 4:11
Starting a bit late. Going through a lot this year and I stumbled upon this site.
So God willing, I am joining SSMT.
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12 NIV
Susan Truelove, Indianapolis, IN
“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8
Kathryn Anderson, Jacksonville, FL: “Gor it is by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselved; it is the gift of God not ad a result of world so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8,9 NASB
Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the people.
II Chron. 16:8
CindyHelen, Ashland, OH
Jesus’ prayer for us from John 17
“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word
is Truth.”
John 17:17 ESV
Colossians 3:1 (NASV) “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.”
Becky Orin, Sugar Land, Texas April 1st Scripture
Philippians 4:4 NIV Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again rejoice!
Jackie Jenkins, Youngstown, Ohio (For Grannie)
April 1st Scripture: Philippians 4:4 NIV
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again rejoice!
Jeramiah 29 11
I know the plans I have for to give you a future and hope
1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries to Him, because He cares about you. NCV
Trista Ramer, Alabama
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Galatians 5:16 NIV
Dolly M, Torrington, CT:Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (â€John‬ â€11‬:â€25-26‬ NIV)
Toni Cassidy, Toney, AL (starting late)
“We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” 2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB
“I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.”
Phillippians 4:13
For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways declares the Lord
Isaiah 55:8 NIV
Lisa Williams, Tampa, FL, 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. Isaiah 41:9 NIV
Deana Stackpole, Unionville, TN
James 1:19
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this, be quick to listen slow to speak and slow to become angry. NIV
Teresa Shaw Goodlettsville, TN
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NIV)
Christi Squiers Fort Drum, NY
I just found this opportunity and I am so excited to start! I have a lot to catch up on but it will be worth it!
*And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.*
Romans 8:28 NLT
Fayetteville, GA
NIV James 2:17
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Jumping on board a little late – but I need this now more than ever. God has blessed me and I need his words to be heart, mind and mouth. He is bigger than anything I face!!! Thank you for being the support I need.
“he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5. NLT
Hope, Buford, Georgia “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
II Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
(Preparing us
for eternal life with Jesus)
NIV Rainbow bible
Psalms 34:3 NKJV
Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together.
Susan M. Hall, Sevierville, TN
You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You.
Isaiah 26:3 HCSB
Kayla Caldwell, Plainview, TX.
From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.
I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
PSALM 61 : 2 – 4 NIV