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) Ā 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 ofĀ 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 areĀ 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:Ā
Your name, city, verse (written all the way out), reference, and translation.Ā
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 citizensĀ with the saints and members of the household of God.”Ā 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 householdĀ all we’ve got. Christ is so altogether worthy.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! One last thing before I say Go!Ā 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 upĀ on the SSMT informational comments. Ā 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. Ā I know it’s a bit complicated at first! Hang with it!Ā So sorry for your extra trouble!
Hey, I am so glad you’re doing this with us. So much love to you.
OK, GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Heather McKinstry, Greendale, Wisconsin: “And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 AMP
Jennifer Ray, Bluffton SC
“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” Proverbs 12:25 NIV
Proverbs 3:3-4 ESV
“Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and success in the sight of God.”
Janet S.
Bemus Point, NY
Job 23:10-12 (NET)
But he knows the pathway that I take;
if he tested me, I would come forth like gold.
My feet have followed his steps closely;
I have kept to his way and have not turned aside.
I have not departed from the commands of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my allotted portion.
And in French:
Cependant, il sait bien quelle voie j’ai suivie.
Qu’il me passe au creuset, j’en sortirai pur comme l’or.
Car j’ai toujours suivi la trace de ses pas.
J’ai marche sur la voie qu’il a prescrite.
Je n’ai pas refuse d’obeir a ses ordres.
J’ai fait plier ma volonte pour obeir a ses paroles. (BDS)
Kari Blackmore Nyssa, OR
“I will love You, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold.” Psalm 18:1 NKJV
Emma Gardner Cullman, AL
Matthew 10:32 NIV
Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.
Susie Ogle
Shafter CA
O my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 (NLT)
Lynn Utley, Chesterfield MO – Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Isaiah 55:1 NAS
Carol from Sandersvillle,Georgia
” The LORD is my light and my salvation;Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread? When evil doers came upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident. Psalm 27:1-3. NASB
Lori Keeton, Sheppard AFB, Texas. “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
Martha Parrish, Irving, TX. “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.” John 3:16 NIV
Lisa from Beatrice, NE – “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4: 29-32, NIV
Marketa, South Portland, ME
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4 NIV
Beverly, Louisville,KY
“You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 NKJV
Carlie; Henderson, NV
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV
Tara Myers from Alexandria, VA
Let us then approach Godās throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (āHebrewsā¬ ā4ā¬:ā16ā¬ NIV
Kristen Fowler, Marble, NC
And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10 NIV
Becca Conner from Greenville, South Carolina:
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”
Proverbs 19:20-21 ESV
Lindsey Buchanan, St. Augustine, FL “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 NIV
Jane Ayers, N. Augusta,SC. ” By this all people will know that you are my disciples, that you have love for one another.” John 13:35 HCSB
Caron English, Kyle, TX. “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
Philippians 4:4 NIV
[4] Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Katie Laning from Severna Park, MD
“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 43:19 NIV
Lindsay Thomas from Dallas, TX. “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:16-17
Julie Walker, Wellsville, PA “May all my thoughts be pleasing
to Him for He is the source of all my joy.” Psalm 104:34 NLT/TLB. The word ALL is my focus of 2015 that Jesus would have all of me and deliver me from all my fears.
Lori from Bangkla,Thailand
“and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” (Isaiah 58:10-11 NIV)
Tiffany L Frisch Calimesa California
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Forget the former things, don 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.
Raquel from Grand Blanc, MI
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (2 Peter 1:3 NIV)
Dolly Morris, “lives” Augusta,GA; “from” Ninety Six, SC š
Is. 55:12 (NIV) “You will go out in joy & be led forth in peace; the mountains AND hills will BURST into song before you, and ALL the trees of the field will clap their hands.” (emphasis mine)
Patricia Hodges, Thorsby, Alabama – Psalm 34:15 “The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” KJV
Selina B. Barbourville, KY.
But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in ALL manner of conversation.
1 Peter 1:15 KJV
Amaris Pierce, Virginia Beach, VA
“So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.” Hosea 11:6 ESV
Shelly Elston, Portland, OR
“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”
Psalm 34:8 (NIV)
Mary Beth Shell, Roan Mountain, TN āWhether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, āThis is the way; walk in it.’ā Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Valerie Hutchinson, Atlanta, GA. “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.” Isaiah 43:19, NIV
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19 KJV
Tammy Schriewer from McKinney, 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
Liane Wood, Frankford Ontario Canada
“When I felt my feet slipping,you came with your love and kept me steady.” Psalm 94:18 CEV
Linda Herrera Colorado Springs, Colorado
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
Lisa Beaman, Ashburn, VA- memorizing promises of God
By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires. (ā2 Peterā¬ ā1ā¬:ā4ā¬ HCSB)
Kim Regas, Atlanta, ga
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. (ā2 Peterā¬ ā1ā¬:ā3ā¬ NLT)
Heather Nguyen, from Brea, CA
Proverbs 18:10 NKJV
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.
Jennifer Deibel, Vienna, Austria: “God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when the morning dawns.” Psalm 46:5 NASB
Melissa Sullivan, Mendenhall Mississippi
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”
Isaiah 43:18
Molly Gardner Cullman, AL
Romans 12:9
Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil: cling to what is good.
Karen from Trussville, AL
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ” (James 1:2-4, NIV)
Christina Drown, Fort Worth, TX, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of the heavenly realm. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes you may be able to stand your ground and after you have done everything, to stand.” Eph 6:12-13 NIV
Candie Ittner from Portland, Oregon
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12 NIV)
Connie from Pahrump, Nevada
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17
New International Version (NIV)
Jann Sanicola, Holtsville, NY
Psalm 119:34 NIV
“Give me understanding so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.”