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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Danielle Morrisville, NC
And he said unto me,My grace is sufficient forthee:for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9(KJV)
Jackie from Tipp City, OH
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
I Thes. 5:16-18 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 NLV
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. Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
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
Lisa Houser,Las Vegas,NV
Be kind and compassionate to one another,forgiving each other,just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
(NIV)
“I will say of The Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress: my God, in him will I trust.”
Psalm 91:2 (KJV)
Angela from Deland, FL
“Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:”
Isaiah 46:10 KJV
Payton Fehr, Morton, Illinois. “Go, and eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do.” Ecclesiasties 9:7
Michelle Ceniceros, Belton, Texas
“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 3:16 NIV
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. (NIV)
Bettie Tolar
Pasadena, TX
Philippians 3:13 NLT
“No, dear friends, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.”
SHERI MATSUMOTO,Riverside, CA When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You… Psalm 56:3.
Hope Brantner. Casper, Wyoming- “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the MIGHTY hand of God, so that at the proper time HE may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because HE cares for YOU!” 1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV
Sabrina
Lincoln, Nebraska
Ephesians 4:31(NASB)
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
Jen from Tampa, FL
“Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” Philippians 1:27 (NKJV)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways and he will make your paths straight,” Proverbs 3:5-6
“For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future”. Then you will call on me and come pray to me and I will listen to you.
Jer. 29:11-12. (NIV)
Carrie Lyons, Homer Glen, Illinois. “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” Mark 12:30 NLT
Megan, Dothan, Alabama
“My goal is that they be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3 NIV
Sandie from Cape Girardeau, MO
“I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.”
Leviticus 11:45 (NIV)
Heather, Dallas, NC
This verse is perfectly aligned with my goals of reason God’s Word in the new year! “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8
Lisa Chadwick, N. Salt Lake, UT – Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:17-18
Alice Hinckley, Dallas, Texas: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
Lucinda, Shreveport, 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
Marlena Cantrell, Hoover, Alabama.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
(Matthew 11:28-30, ESV)
Sandy Hammock
Durant, OK
Grace and Peace to you from God, our Father and Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:2 NIV
Julie, Madison, Ga
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:33 ESV
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with song I praise him. Psalm 28:7 NIV
Louise, Phoenix, AZ, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 3:3 NIV
Angie Sarich, Deland, FL
I will lift my praise above everything to You, my God and King!I will continually bless Your name forever and always. My praise will never cease—I will praise You every day;I will lift up Your name forever. (Psalm 145:1-2, The Voice)
Big Lake, MN
I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only, I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24 ESV
Natalie Curp, Blue Springs, MO
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. (â€2 Corinthians‬ â€12‬:â€9‬ NLT)
Lisa L. Claremore, OK “Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€19‬ NASB)
Erin from Lawrence, KS
Matthew 11:28 (NIV) “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Psalm 1
1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Felicia P, Carrollton, VA
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.
2 Peter 1:3, ESV
Katie, Mount Dora, FL: “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.” Psalm 51:1, NIV
Kimberley Folger, Seattle, Washington.
” I took my troubles to the LORD; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.”
Psalm 120:1 (NLT)
Lisa Caduff, Zimmerman, Minnesota
I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For He has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels.
Isaiah 61:10 (NLT)
“Abram BELIEVED the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” Genesis 15:6 NIV
Leah from Arlington, Texas….. Gen 35:2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you and be clean, and change your garments……KJV……I chose this because I feel a realigning in Christ this year is in store for our family…. Jan 1st 2015
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. (â€Ephesians‬ â€4‬:â€1‬ NIV) Donna Strachan, Searcy, AR
Veronica, Memphis, TN
Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:21 NASB
Deanna Thomason, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” â€James‬ â€1‬:â€5‬ (NLT)
Megan Allen from Hillsboro, OH
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
1 Peter 5:6 (NIV)
Rachal Pollard Silverdale, WA 1 Chronicles 16:8 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Matthew 7:1 NIV
Shannon, Mandeville, LA “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit God’s love for them”. Jonah 2:8, TNIV
Grace Niceville, FL
For I know the plans I have for you” declares The Lord, ” plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give a hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)