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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monica Ciampa
Hicksville, NY.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ..
In him was life, and the life was the light of men.”–John 1:1,4(ESV)
I posted my verse on the facebook link. Not sure that was right. I’m not a big internet user!
Mary- Columbia, PA
“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)
Abbey Griffin – Savannah, GA
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Jennie Francart, New Orleans, LA – 1John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ESV (Praying this over my city)
Melissa Evans, Lexington, Kentucky.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 NIV
Jamie
Hayden, AL
January 1, 2015
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12 ESV
Mona Boyd,Spokane,WA
Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! 1Chronicles 16:11 ESV
Renee Goff -Sparta, Tn – Ephesians 4: 31-32
31 gLet all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 hBe kind to one another, tenderhearted, iforgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Stacy Martin-Clovis,Nm
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)
Deidra from Richland, MS
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in Heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Matt. 7:11 (ESV)
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 My Bible’s footnote indicates the literal translation is this: Let what I speak and what my heart murmurs to itself be a delight to you, Lord. I want my words and thoughts in this New Year to not just be acceptable, but to delight my Lord.
Isaiah 43:18 (NLT)
“But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
Emily Tsutsumi, Anna TX – “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” – Psalm 63:3-4 NIV
Megan Putnam, Lyman, SC
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. (â€Psalm‬ â€16‬:â€5-6‬ ESV)
1 Timothy 6:6
But godliness with contentment is great gain. (NIV)
TaWanna, Denver, CO
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 KJV
Hilary Douglas Lexington, Kentucky
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:10 NIV
Joan Schernekau, Indianapolis, IN
“Now listen daughter….the King is wild for you. Since he’s your Lord, adore Him.”
Psalms 45:10-11
The Message
Jessica Hayes- Tullahoma, Tennessee- Psalm 51:10 ESV ” Create in me a clean heart, O God renew a right spirit in me. “
Danielle F., Montana : Cast all of your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter vs. 7 NIV
“For I Know I Have Plans 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
Shelly Wilson, Fort Worth, Texas
Trust in the Lord, and do good: Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. (Psalm 37:3 NKJV)
Rita Prowse
Springfield, TN
“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
Lara
Spring Hill, TN
Romans 15:13 NIV
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Lori from Dimondale, Michigan. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Rhonda Butler, Jackson, Tennessee -Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6 NIV
Melanie from Midland MI
My daughter, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings.
Don’t lose sight of them; keep them within your heart.
Proverbs 4: 20,21 HCSB
For you O Lord, are a shield for me. My glory and the One who lifts up my head. Psalm 3:3 NLT.
Amanda Bryant, Greeneville, TN
“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
Hebrews 4:16 NLT
Megan Cheyenne, Wyoming. “Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way.” Psalm 119:37 NKJV
I have decided to memorize a Psalm and a Proverb each month so this is my first one.
Psalm 25:4-5 (NKJ): Show me your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.
Tammy Disch, Garland, TX
“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalms 25:5. (NIV)
Heather Rogers-Bellevue, Michigan
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of The Lord Jeses, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Colossians 3:17 NASB
Kristen Folsom, Nashville, TN
“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)
“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 Help me trust in YOUR plan, not mine, heavenly Father.
Tina Snide Rising Sun MD
I cAn do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13 ESV
Melanie, Royston, Ga
Peace I leave with you; My own peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.
John 14:27 amplified bible
Gwen from Bowling Green, Ky
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about the things.” Philippians 4:8 ESV
Champlin, MN. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 NIV
Gess, Chanute, Kansas, Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You. Psalms 119:11 NKJV
Terese, Black Earth, Wisconsin
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved
Romans 10:10 (NIV)
Lee Kathleen Mitchell, Gaithersburg, MD “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 10:5 NIV
Victoria Brown
Hereford, TX
She is clothed with strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future. ~Proverbs 31:25
Dee C Lively, West Tawakoni, TX And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7
Faith Paxton, Portland Or,
First time!!!!!
“Forget the former things. Do not dwell on the past. See Iam doing a new thing. Now it Springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland!!! Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Bree Taylor, Hemet, California.
“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)
Amy Trimble, Clay Center, NE “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
Sarah Schreeder, Zachary LA —– Ephesians 3:14-15 (KJV) “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in Heaven and earth is named,”
Karla Hamrick, Wapakoneta, Ohio-
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)