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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
forgot my location…
Susannah Hotchkiss, Cypress, TX
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.” Proverbs 3:1-2 ESV
Becca Canfield, Nacogdoches, Texas
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. (â€2 Peter‬ â€1‬:â€3‬ NLT)
Judy Mumau-Erie, Pennsylvania
“The steadfast love of The Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end:
they are new every morning”.
Lamentations 3:22,23 (ESV)
Sara Terrill, St. Louis, Missouri. “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
Juliette Mucci from Houston, TX
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
Lou, Jenison, Michigan “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men” Col 3:23 NASB
Carolyn from Maryville, Tn The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer
Psalms 6:9 KJV
Jane from Calgary, Alberta: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10 NIV.
Joy M, Waverly, Tennessee
Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a NEW thing, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)
Beatrice Brackin, Chattanooga, TN. “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 desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Tami Jones, Fall City, WA – “When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose Word I praise, in God I trust, I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4 HSCB
Elizabeth Osborne, Pryor, OK
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.
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Vicki from Grapevine, TX
Psalm 139:1
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
Pamela Chmielewski
Camlachie Ontario Canada
My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.Proverbs 2:1-5 NIV Couples Devotional Bible
Linda Jewell
Sedona, Arizona
Psalm 19:1 NCV
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the skies announce what His hands have made.
Susan Whitaker, Piscataway, NJ. “I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8 NIV
Kim Joyner; Poplar Bluff, MO. “Let my meditation be pleasing to Him; As for me, I shall be glad in the LORD.” Psalm 104:34 NASB
Norma Jean from Medford, OR: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1 NKJV
Kathy Locke, Topeka, Ks
Am I now trying to win the
approval of human beings or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Galatians 1:10 NIV
Kathleen Smith, Georgetown, TX
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Mark 11:25 NIV
Beth Thompson, Wentzville, Missouri. I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Diane Hotchkiss from Cypress, TX
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 ESV
Christie Huckle Sarnia Ontario Canada.
Psalm 23
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Gail; Bean Station,TN.
Psalm 130:2 KJV
Lord,hear my voice: Let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
,” Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love. ” (â€1 Corinthians‬ â€16‬:â€13-14‬ NLT)
Pat Tilson, Fort Worth TX: “. . . Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today . . .The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13-14 (NIV)
Linda Gammon, Blue Springs, MO
Ecclesiastes 5:1 ESV
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil.
Barb Linderman, Anchorage, AK. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NKJ
AmandaJo
Fountain, CO
“Because when all is said and done, the last word is Immanuel: God-with-us.”
Isaiah 8:10 MSG
Kelli Combs, Ringgold, Georgia
2 Timothy 2:21
If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. KJV
Leah Kuor, Salem, OR
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20 (NASB)
Jen, Fredericksburg, VA. “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s pupose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Haley Terry
Danville, Alabama
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 ESV
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.
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Diane Largo,Florida
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you,Whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
1Cor 6:19-20 ESV
Kathleen McKim from Amman, Jordan: “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” II Corinthians‬ â€1‬:â€20‬ NKJV
Debbie Baker, Las Vegas, NV
“Abram BELIEVED the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” Genesis 15:6 NIV
Megan, St. Louis, MO:
“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.” Romans 15:13, ESV
Kimberly Peterman from Peryaburg, Ohio “Many are the plans in a persons heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 NIV
“For God has not given us a Spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind” NKJ
Karla Day, St. Charles, Iowa — “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” 1 John 4:18 NLT
Amy Brown
New Palestine, IN
“…but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” (â€Psalm‬ â€34‬:â€10‬ ESV)
Allie Smith
McKinney, Texas
“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)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 NIV
Brenda Cooper from Fort Pierce, Florida.
“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 (NKJV)
Monica Dotson, Southern Illinois “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.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Hi, I am Penny from Pelican Rapids, MN.
Philippians 4:8 – ESV
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
For I know the plans I have for you” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for diaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
Branford, FL
I have been looking for this scripture. Thank you Allison