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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Donna Harris, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Colossians 3:23 NLT
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Col 3:1-2 (NIV)
Karla Butters, Ankeny, Iowa
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'” Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
Sara, Greenfield, Indiana
“For in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints-and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.” 2 Corinthians 8:2-5 (ESV)
Donna Beard, Raleigh, North Carolina.
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. (Numbers 6:24-26, KJV)
Jennifer Butler, Cullman, AL
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Psalms 143:10
April Lytal
Claremore, Oklahoma
Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
Gail Wentzville MO
Psalm 139:1 Lord, you have searched me and known me, (Holmes study bible)
Robin Ridenour, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
“Wait on the LORD, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD.”
Psalm 27:14 NKJV
Carly Andrews, Dallas TX “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Galatians 5:16 NIV
Michelle Baylerian, Waukesha, WI
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[a] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Dena Reese-El Paso, Tx
But they who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 ESV
Marie from St. Augustine, FL
“Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for Him!” Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)
Romans 5:3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us — they help us learn to endure. New Living Translation
Jeremiah 29:11 “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.” NIV
Heidi Cassadas- El Cajon, Ca
Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to You. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all. (â1 Chronicles⏠â29âŹ:â11⏠HCSB)
Sarah; Kingwood, Texas
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” Colossians 3:16
Granbury, Texas: “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24 NKJV
“but those who hope 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 be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NIV
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 Gods will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV
Laura Strickland, Austell, GA. “Cast all of your burdens to the Lord, He will sustain you. ” Psalm 55:22 NIV
Ashley Barnes, Pantego, Texas.
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13 NIV.
Dana Abee, Clarksville, Tennessee “I know my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.” I Chronicles 29:17 NIV
Jessica, Encinitas, California, “Then the LORD said to me, âGet up and resume the journey, and lead the people to the land I swore to give to their ancestors, so they may take possession of it” Deuteronomy⏠â10âŹ:â11⏠NLT
Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, (Psalms 103:1-4 NKJV)
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!â Luke 1:45 NIV
Megan Fleetwood, PA
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Sie Hills, Elkhart, IN. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Rom. 15:13 ESV
Jodi M. Sweetwater, TN “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
Christine Mirfield, Davenport, Iowa “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture” Psalm 37:3 NIV
Stephanie Shinn, Chanhassen, MN. “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:5, NIV
Marchelle S.
Claremore
Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
Olive Branch, MS
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14. (ESV)
Nancy, Littleton, CO. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
I want to be transformed by God, exchanging my way with His way – this can only be done through His words burned in my mind and heart.
Koko Perry, Memphis, TN “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Exekial 36:26 NIV
Beth P, Roswell, GA
“May the words of my mouth
and the meditations of my heart
be pleasing to you
O Lord, my rock (strength) and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 NLT
Monica, McKinney, TX.
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11 ESV
Tara Hollingsworth, Loganville,
Micah 7:7 ESV
But as for me, I will look to the Lord ; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.
Nancy, Redkey,Indiana
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:22-24 NIV
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;” Ephesians 5:1 NASB
Barb, Lakeland Florida “Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. 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.” Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
COME TO ME, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matt 11:28
Robyn Roberson Lugoff, SC – For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me. Psalm 31:3 NKJV
Emily McAnear, Corona California
âYou, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.â
1 John 4:4 NIV
Adrienne
Jasper, TN
We wait for the LORD;
He is our help and shield.
For our hearts rejoice in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.
May Your faithful love rest on Us, LORD,
for we put our hope in You.
Psalm 33:20-22 HCSB
Leigh Ann, Atlanta GA, “For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 (NIV)
Christell Burkart, League City, TX
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Psalm 130:5-6 NIV
Lindsay Roe, Houston, TX
“But let all who take refuge in you be glad, let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” Psalm 5:11 (NIV)
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV
Lori, Grinnell, Iowa “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