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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths,bringing honor to his name.
Psalms 23:3 NLT
Mindy-Lewisville, TX
The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Isaiah 58:11 (NLT)
Jenna Cooley; Keller, Tx: “Great is The Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.” Psalms 145:3, NIV
From Mt Vernon Wa
Often at night I lie in bed and remember you, meditating on your greatness ’til morning smiles through my window. You have been my constant helper; therefore I sing for joy under the protection of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand reaches down and holds me up. Psalm 63:6-8 The Voice
Romans 1:16 NIV
For I am not ashamed of the gospel,because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes:first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Lisa Curtis, Jackson, MO
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 NIV
Diane , Fair Oaks, CA
Love the Lord God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength. Duet 6:5 NIV
Cindy Sullivan, Northbridge, MA
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
– Proverbs 3:5, NIV
Jan Muske, College Station TX
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Isaiah 43:19(NIV)
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Conni DeFranco from the DC Metro Area
Frances Quigley, Borger,Tx. “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
Isaiah 46:4
Robin, Tracy CA
“And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” (â€Revelation‬ â€22‬:â€7‬ ESV)
Ali Kirsling, Indianapolis, IN
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NLT
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him”. Genesis 2:18 NIV
Ashton Yeatts, Keller, Texas “let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew‬ â€5‬:16 NLT
Kelley M., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Proverbs 31: 25-26 “She is a woman of strength and dignity and has no fear of old age. When she speaks, her words wise, and kindness is the rule for everything she says.” TLB
“You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. ” Psalm 18:35 NIV
Connie Waltner, Indianapolis, IN
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Elaine Brady, Jefferson, Ga
God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You, I thirst for You; my body faints for You in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.
Ps. 63:1 HCSB
Meagan Wells Amarillo, TX
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 ESV
Nisha K., Franklin, KY:
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. (â€Jeremiah‬ â€29‬:â€11‬ NIV)
Sherron Watkins, Houston, Tx. “The reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it rests satisfied; he cannot be visited with actual evil.” Proverbs 19:23 (Amplified)
Shana Jones, Spanish Fort, AL
1 John 5:15 AMP
And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.
Lori, Ruston, LA – “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
Tracey Ward, Flowery Branch, GA
Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” (â€Joshua‬ â€3‬:â€5‬ NIV)
Judy – Cottageville WV. “For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness” ( Psalms 107:9 KJV)
Leslie. Durham, NC. “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” 1 Thess 5:23-24 (ESV)
Margaret Evans
Lowell Arkansas
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and power to do what pleases Him.”
Philippians 2:13 NLT
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for The Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you not forsake you.”
Julie Jewell, Atlanta, GA: 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)
Tracy Harbaugh, Dayton, Ohio “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:22
Donna Stephens, Wylie, TX; A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you so you must love one another. John 13:34 NIV
Jennifer from Jackson, MO – “Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present circumstances and with what you have; for He, God Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down (relax My hold on you)! Assuredly not!” Hebrews 13:5 AMP
In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth. Genesis 1:1 NIRV
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
Pamela Green, Waynesboro, GA
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
“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.”
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12 KJV
Shannon Stevenson, Tyler, Tx. “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn
away from evil, It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”
Proverbs 3:7,8 ESV
Linda Moore,Vega,TX
And the said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:31
Fort Worth, TX:
“Rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer.” Romans 12:12 NAS
Karen;Greensboro,NC
Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. (â€Psalms‬ â€37‬:â€5-6‬ NLT)
Krista Fehr, Chickamauga, GA Psalm 28:7 ESV “The LORD is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him.”
Jill Jones, Westerville OH
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
Angela Flowers, Sand Springs, OK
Matthew 6:27 NIV
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Kim Leith, Walnut Grove, MO
“Uphold me according to Your promise, that I may live; Let me not be put to shame in my hope!” Psalm 119:116 Amp
Rhonda from Katy TX
“I know that you can do all things;
No plan of yours can be thwarted.”
Job 42:2, NIV
Miranda Cripe, Middlebury, IN. “God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect.” Psalms 18:32 NLT
Amanda from Clinton Twp., MI
“The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zeph. 3:17
Jackson, TN
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, Titus 2:11-12 NET
Jennifer in Kandern, Germany
Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers i the desert. (ESV)