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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Geri, Deer Park, Texas
2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Springfield, MO.
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. Psalms 23:1 KJV
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19. Esv
Jennifer Ruttan Fishers,IN
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Proverbs 31:10
Gayle from Mississippi
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
So be strong and courageous!
Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.
Paula Phelps, Keizer, OR
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
Christiane Salts, Buena Park, CA
I plan to be available and ready to walk and spread the Good News this year! “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!'”
Osage Beach, MO
“The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV
Take Delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart . Psalm 37:4
Christy Smith, Big Stone Gap, VA: “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” 1 Peter 5:4 NIV
I am praying to you because I know you will answer, Oh God. Bend down and listen as I pray.
Psalms 17:6
Valerie Gibson, Kalispell Montana, You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your Heart. Jeremiah 29:13 NIV.
State College, PA – 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)
Leslie Warnick, Oakland Maryland
Seek The Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Isaiah 55:6. NIV
Susan Madeira, Duvall, WA
“in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16 NASB
Amy DiGregorio, Lynchburg, Virginia “Your Word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin againist You” Psalm 119:11 NASB
Mary Alice Dulweber
Dallas, Texas
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us –
yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17 NIV
Tammy Mielke, Apple Valley MN “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16 ESV
Beth Griggs Nelson, Minnetonka, Minnesota
Isaiah 54:10 NIV
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Stephanie from Charlottesville, Virginia~
“I can be content in any and every situation through the Anointed One who is my power and strength.” Philippians 4:13 The Voice Translation
I’m Hayley from Pike Road, AL.
The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. (â€Psalms‬ â€32‬:â€8‬ NLT)
Mary McGonegle, Gilbert AZ – “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:9-10 ESV
“Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase”
Proverbs 3:9 (NKJV)
Carolyn
Wheaton, IL
Deana Johnson from Visalia, California: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give 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
Lisa Bane Meridian, Mississippi
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”
(Isaiah 26:3 NIV)
Kem, Memphis
For He himself is our peace.
Ephesians 2:14
Jessica, Quad Cities, IL “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” Philippians 4:6
Susan T, Ontario, Canada
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy…meditate on these things.”
Philippians 4:8, NKJV
Rachelle/Starkville, Mississippi
“Now therefore, listen to me, my children;
PAY ATTENTION to the words of my mouth:” Proverbs 7:24 NKJV
(My theme for the year is to PAY ATTENTION to the details, to be still, to listen and to learn.)
from Pueblo, CO Psalm 31:3 “For thou art my rock and my fortress; For thy name’s sake Thou wilt lead me and guide me.” NASB
Mary Williams from Roanoke, VA-
“I love the Lord, for He heard my voice, Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.” (Psalm 116:1-2 NIV)
Anna, Little Elm, TX
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and shalom in trusting, so you may overflow with hope in the power of the Ruach ha-Kodesh.
Romans 15:13 (TLV)
Jacqueline den Otter, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands. Psalm 119:32-32 Ik druk Uw richtlijnen aan mijn hart, HEER, maak mij niet beschaamd. Ik zal voortgaan op de weg van Uw geboden, want U geeft mij ruimte.
Rebecca Zimmerman Puyallup, WA
“Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint: but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.” Proverbs 29:18 NIV
Shelly/Rosamond, CA –
What shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who
did not spare His own Son but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with
Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:31-32 (NKJV)
Anna Hamilton, Hickory Flat, Mississippi- I stretch out my hands to You; my soul longs for You, as a parched land. Psalms 143:6 (NASB)
Kay, Muscle Shoals, AL
“All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.”
Isaiah‬ â€54‬:â€13‬ ESV
Lindsey Fellers from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” Psalm 40:2 NIV
Olda, Huntsville
My aim is to know him, to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings, and to be like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Phil 3:10-11 (NET)
Marti C from Fort St. John, BC, Canada
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!” ~ Psalm 143:10 (ESV)
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses it saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. (Matthew 5:13)
Angie Bradshaw; Mebane, NC
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give 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)
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:14 NASB
Jenni Pilgrim, Alluwe, Oklahoma: 2 Timothy 1:12 NIV
That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
Psalm 56:3 NKJV
Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You
Gini, The Woodlands, TX “And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. Colossians 3:15 HCSB
Leslie, Aubrey, TX
The Lord has displayed His holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God. Isaiah 52:10 HCSB
Jami from Alpena, Michigan
“For we fix our attention not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts for ever” (2 Corinthians 4:18 GNB)
This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us be full of joy and be glad in it. Psalm 118-24 (NLV)
Traci Horton-Bartonville, Texas:
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from GOD not us.”
(II Cor.4:7 NIV)