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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Michelle London, ON CAN 1 Timothy 4:8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Psalm 62:5-6 NIV
Yes my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress and I will not be shaken .
Hi Darla, great verse
Julia Tillman, Clovis, NM
This I declare about The Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him. Psalm 91:2 NLT
Susan H., from Hurricane, WV
“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” ((“II Timothy 1:7 NASB)
Lisa Sustar
Indian Trail NC
Psalm 84:11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
Meg from Shelbyville, KY:
“but those who trust 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 faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (HCSB)
Shannon Rose Syracuse, IN
New International Version
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Hebrews 12:11
Patricia Ortonville, Michigan
Like a city that is broken into and without walls
Is a man who has no control over his spirit.
Proverbs 25:28 New American Standard key word study Bible
Laura Jones, Stevensville, Montana: Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (â€Romans‬ â€15‬:â€13‬ NASB)
Tisha Ramsey, Columbus, MS “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians‬ â€3‬:â€17‬ ESV
Bonny, Katy, TX. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2 NRS
Jennifer Cournoyer. Glen Allen, VA: Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. Ephesians 4:2-3 (NLT)
Anita Wilkes, Glen,MS, I have come so that they might have life and have it in abundance. John 10:10 Holman Christian Standard
Kim, Milford, NH – Isaiah 43:2-3 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. NIV
Patrice McMurtrey, Louisville, Kentucky, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”. Philippians 4:6 NIV
Meagan, Woodstock,Ga “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” Hebrews 12:1 ESV
Anne Swanson, Lexington, Kentucky
Let all that you do be done in love. (â€1 Corinthians‬ â€16‬:â€14‬ ESV)
Holly Robinson, Aubrey Texas
Colossians 1:10
10That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Theresa Stewart, Crestwood, KY.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my Name, He will teach you ALL things and bring to your remembrance ALL that I have said. John 14:26
Acts 17:28 KJV
For in Him we live and move and have our being.
Leslie Hurlebaus, Orlando, FL
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (â€Ephesians‬ â€3‬:â€20-21‬ NIV)
James 1:17New International Version (NIV)
Every good and perfect gift is from above.
When i get caught up in the everyday I stop and remember this. I need it a lot. My family is my biggest gift.
Angie Hill, Jasper, Alabama. “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV
Emilie from Rockwall, TX
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Corinthians‬ â€10‬:â€3-5‬ (NIV)
Pearl, MS
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
Mark 1:35 (ESV)
Colleen Duebber, Cincinnati, Ohio. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. Psalm 119: 93. NIV.
Lisa S. from Cibolo, Texas.
“For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NASB)
You crown the year with Your goodness; your ways overflow with plenty. Psalm 65:11 HCSB
Lisa from Hutchins TX
“For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2:9-11 NASV
Kerri, Oklahoma City, OK
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3 (NIV1984)
Jean Crawford – Boring, OR
Do not conform any longer 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 12:2 NIV
Keri, Canton, Michigan. “Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NABRE
Romans 5:1,2 NIV Therefore having been justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Pam Nelson, Brighton CO
2 Corinthians 4:13 (HCSB)
And since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we also believe, and therefore speak.
Lareesa Nelson, Moses Lake, Washington. “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 NIV
Teresa Deuel ,Albuquerque, New Mexico
” may you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy” Col. 1:11 (ESV)
“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” – Isaiah 43.19 (NLT)
Candice from Houston, Texas, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Julie, Kampala, Uganda
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (â€Philippians‬ â€2‬:â€1-4‬ NIV)
Ashley, West Monroe,LA, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. 2 Corinthians 4:1 NLT
Erin, Lolo, MT
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Michelle Sherrell, Seattle, Washington “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 NKJV
Cece Bell, Gilbert, AZ
“My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. Trust in Him at all times; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:5-6,8 NASB
Gina Campbell, Katy, Texas. “You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 1 Peter‬ â€1‬:â€8‬ NLT
Renee from Juniata, NE
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Brandy Sawtelle, Sharpsburg, Ga
Psalm 73:26 NIV
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Minneapolis, KS
(13)”Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” Philippians 3:13
Dawn Tolbert, Cedartown, Georgia
“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power for destroying strongholds” — 2 Corinthians 10:4 (English Standard Version).
Morgan Bachman, Blue Hill, Nebraska: “Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” Romans 5:9-10 ESV