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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Deborah C.
Atlanta, GA
“We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of a life shaped by Christ.”
2 Cor. 10:5 (The Message)
Thank you for sharing this! This scripture really resonates with me. I will use this as my next verse 🙂
Lisa
Baton Rouge, LA
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21, ESV
Amen! Love this one!
Becky from Choctaw, Oklahoma
2 Timothy 2:13(ESV)
If we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself.
Morgan Aiello – Discovery Bay, CA
In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. Psalm 25:1-3, NIV
They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. Psalm 112: 7-8
Stephanie, Irvine, CA
“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)
Jill Knight, Fort Ashby, WV. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NKJV
Traci, Wesley Chapel, FL – “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)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.Romans 8:28
Stacy Nottestad from Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Katy, Austin,TX
The faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. Col 1:5 part of 6
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14
Ingrid Gunther, Oldfield, MO – 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 iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. Psalm 103:1-5
Daniel 2:20-23
“Praise be to the name of God forever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we have asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the King.”
I lift up my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth.
Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
Carolyn, St. Catharine’s, ON, Canada
Then He opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures.
Luke 24:45 (NIV)
Amen! That is my prayer for this journey.
Anita Moore
Fort Worth, TX
Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of a friend. Proverbs 27:17 KJV
Gina from Gadsden, AL
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13 KJV
Hi Gina!
I grew up in Gadsden! Nice to meet you
Ginger
Sara/Binghamton NY
“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
Becca Stovall from Clinton, Mississippi-
“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning” (â€Joel‬ â€2‬:â€12‬ ESV)
I was going with Mark 9:24 until I saw your verse. I think it’s perfect and am joining you in answering God’s call.
Lori Smith, Medford, Oregon.
So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (â€Hebrews‬ â€13‬:â€6‬ ESV)
Megan JOY Burdzy – Calgary, Alberta Canada -“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will/submit to Him in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV/NLT)
Sarah Stephenson, Auburn, Alabama; “Honor the Lord with your capital and sufficiency and with the firstfruits of all your income; So shall your storage places be filled with plenty, and your vats shall be overflowing with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10 AMP
Kimberly Saint James, Missouri
But, I will hope continually, and praise You yet more and more. Psalms 71:14 NKJV
Pamela
New Bern NC
13. Brethern, I do not count myself apprehended;but one thing I do, forgetting those things that are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. 14. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3 13-14 NKJV
Cheryl – Troupsburg, NY – Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
“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.” Looking forward to 2015!
Peggy Hayes, Barstow, CA
All of Psalms 1 but this verse is my favorite –
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalms 1:3 NIV
The weapons we fight are not with the weapons of the world. On the contrary,they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4 NIV
Jennifer, from Tomball, TX “How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you have bestowed in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.” Psalm 31:19 NIV
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. NKJV
Emily Schulzetenberg from St. Paul, MN: “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” ~Titus 3:5
Kelly Fons, Hoschton, GA : “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'” Lamentations 3:21-24 NIV
Heather Whaley, Knoxville, TN “I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakuk 3:18 (ESV)
Hey, Heather!
Annie
Dallas, TX
“He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly
and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8 NIV
John 5:24
Verily, verily I say unto you. He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Vickie Barbee, Poplar Bluff, MO. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 NIV
Chelsey Y, Phoenix, AZ “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.” 1 Corinthians 16: 13-14 NLT 🙂
Chelsa from Liberty Lake, WA “Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for 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 40:30-31 ESV – strength for my marathon
Irelis Roman, Orlando, Fl
“God is mighty, but despises no one, he is mighty, and firm in his purpose” (Job 36:5 NIV)
Brittanie, Amarillo, Texas
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. – 2 Peter 9:3, ESV
Lauren Warner, Austin, Texas “With Your very own hands You formed me; now breathe Your wisdom over me so I can understand You. Psalms 119:73 (The Message)
Michelle Hunter, Grand Haven, MI
“Satisfy me in the morning with your lovingkindness so I may sing for joy and be glad all my days.” Psalm 90:14 NASB
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. (Psalm 9:10 NIV)
2 Cor. 4:7-9 – “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;” HE IS OUR HOPE!
Ericka Wohlers
Ontario, California
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Patty Kane, Dixon, IL. “And so I am giving a new commandment to you now–love each other just as much as I love you.” John 13:34 TLB
Robin, Monroe,GA
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)
Sharen Dulin, Platte City, MO
Proverbs 25:28 ESV
A woman without self control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
Larissa Tindall, Manchester, MI, “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” 1Peter 1:8, ESV
Karla, Columbus, Oh
Habakkuk 3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. NIV
Debbi Hawney – Bothell, WA
“I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world can not give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT