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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“For God has not given us a Spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
Jesus wept. John 11 – 35
Sometimes tears shed are cleansing.
Tammy Reidy
Grand Prairie, TX
Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. (â€Psalm‬ â€86‬:â€4‬ NIV)
Candi Thorpe, Burlington, Ontario “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your heart to God.” Colossians 3:16
Stephanie Flake, Louisville MS
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (â€Hebrews‬ â€12‬:â€1‬ NKJV)
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1
Lisa McDonald, Knoxville, TN
“Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed. Save me and I shall be saved for You are my praise.” Jeremiah 17:14, ESV
Colleen Houger, Creston, WA “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31 NIV
Deb Meyers- Little Rock
“Because YOUR loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise YOU”!! Psalm 63:3 NKJV
Julie from Wichita, KS
“Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.”
Deut. 5:33 (NIV)
Finally, brothers and sisters, fill your minds with beauty and truth. Meditate on whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is good, whatever is virtuous and praiseworthy. Philippians 4:8 (The Voice)
Rilee Medina, San Diego, Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Kaci from Thomasville, GA
“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-Think about such things”
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Sarah Martin, age 9, Spring, Tx
John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
Jessica from Wichita, Kansas.
“But, O my soul, don’t be discouraged. Don’t be upset. Expect God to act! For I know that I shall again have plenty of reason to praise him for all that we do. He is my help! He is my God!”
Psalm 42:11 (tlb)
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)
Diane E., Charleston, IL
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.
John 3:21 NIV
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future
Kristen Tsen, Kansas City, KS
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
James 1:5 ESV
Fay Aitcheson – Tonasket, WA
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  John 14:27. AKJV
From Florien, Louisiana I posted this earlier, but didn’t see it in the feed and I also forgot to include my location. Sorry if this gets posted twice.
Psalm 16:11 NIV
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11 NIV
Jennifer Almont, MI
“For I know the planss I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prospert you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Chris, Seattle, WA
Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.
Psalm 115:1 NIV
Tifton, GA John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. NKJV
Linda, Lewisville, TX
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
Alichia from McKinney, TX “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” Psalm 119:105 (AMP)
Isaiah 43:19 God is doing a new thing in our life. I want to be open and aware.
Shara Aycock, Atlanta, GA.
“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (â€Isaiah‬ â€41‬:â€13‬ NIV)
Meg Christian, Alexandria, VA-“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another, be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8-9 NIV
Andie, Dunnellon, Florida
Ps 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up . KJV
Jessica Fearn, Massillon, Ohio.
“He who covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
(To forsake sin means to stop “stop doing it”)
Kate, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, Philippians 1:20 NIV, ” I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
Acts 2:27
For you will not abandon my soul, leaving it helpless in Hades (the state of departed spirits), nor let
your Holy One know decay or see destruction [of the body after death]. Amp
And we know that in all things Gid works for the good of those who love Him,who have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV).
“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus-the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” Acts 20:24 NLT
Judy Grieve, Clarks Hill SC. “In the beginning was the Word
and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” John 1:1 (CEB)
Beca, Tomball, Texas
“I love you, LORD, my strength.” Psalm 18:1 NIV
Lindsay
Bangor, Maine
“You crown the year with Your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake.”
~Psalms 65:11 (NET)
1 Peter 1:15 ESV
“but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,”
Marge Knepple, Goodyear, AZ – “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 NKJV
Lorrie McNeil, Laurel, Mississippi
My son, do not forget my teaching,but let your heart keep my commandments, Proverbs 3:1 ESV
Dena’ Davis, HIndman, KY
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NIV
Nancy Parks, Houston, Texas
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” Psalm 37:3 NIV
Jordan Kuss, Lubbock, Texas “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:15-16 (NIV)
“If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.” James 3:13 NLT
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. (â€James‬ â€3‬:â€17‬ NLT)….thanks Beth, this was one of my FAVE sections of the James study I just completed 🙂
Mollie,Hereford TX. “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my God, my stronghold in whom I take refuge, my shield, the glory of my salvation, and my high tower.” Psalm 18:2 NIV
Barbara, Spring Hill, FL
“Surely God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord the Lord, is my strength and my song, he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2 NIV
Tina, Clearwater FL: When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well[be made whole]?”… Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” John 5:6,8 NIV
Nancy Lambert, Many, Louisiana
I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Ephesians 4:16-17a, NIV