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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ginger Stanfill from Lexington TN
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 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. (â€John‬ â€14‬:â€26-27‬ NIV)
Jill from Nova Scotia, Canada
To learn wisdom and moral instruction, and to discern wise counsel. Proverbs 1:2 NET
Leslie from Gastonia, North Carolina: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer”. Psalm 19:14, NIV
Sara Langone, Santa Fe, New Mexico ” For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 NIV
“But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” (John 3:21 NIV)
Chico, Ca
But his delight is in the law of the lord:and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psalm 1:2 kjv
Shannon Thies, New Berlin, WI “O Lord, in You I have found a safe place. Let me never be ashamed. Set me free, because You do what is right and good.” Psalm 31:1
Andrea, Brentwood CA
He has shown 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
Merideth Colvert in Conroe, TX… “Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.” Proverbs 10:17 NIV
Beth Kaiser, dyersburg, TN
“Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His presence continually!” 1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. James 1:26 NIV
Meredith, Fayetteville, AR
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3 NIV
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
Be kind and compassionate to one another forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you.
Chillicothe, Missouri
Cassia Glass, Spring, TX,
“For the Lord God is a sun and a shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11 NKJV
I will give them a heart to know me, that I am lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart. Jer. 24:7
Jennifer from Jinja, Uganda
Psalm 34:8 “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” (NIV)
Michelle Stillman, Lancaster, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 5:3 NIV
I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on Him. I have put my hope in his word.
Psalm 130:5
Karen from McKinney, TX
“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)
Shannon Taylor from Monmouth, Oregon-
“It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,” (Titus 2:12 NIV 1984)
Lynn from Edmond,OK
every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
Nicole Carlisle, Pell City, AL
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (â€Joshua‬ â€1‬:â€9‬ NIV)
Jane Lakey, Panama City Beach, Fl
Praise The Lord, oh my soul, all my inmost being praise His holy name.
Praise The Lord , oh my soul, and forget not all His benefits. Psalm 103:1 NIV
Tesa Mayer, Suffolk, VA
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:10 ESV
Donna- Mt. Juliet, TN
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)
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24
Faye, West Sunbury, PA
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Ps. 118:6 NKJV
Tami from Wesley Chapel, FL
May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Romans 15:5 NLT
Sally from Charlotte, NC
Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. (1Timothy 6:11)NIV
Hope Curtsinger, Paducah KY
Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God. 1 Chronicles 22:19 NIV
Melissa Roehrich, Bismarck, ND
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” (Genesis 22:14) NIV 1984
Jennifer Overstreet from San Diego, California.
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Luke 1:45 NIV
He says ” Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the Earth” Psalm 46:10 NIV – Ashley Weisenberger Marathon, WI
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. (Romans 12:2, NLT)
Brianne from Greenwood, AR – For God is working in you, giving you the desire and power to do what pleases Him. Phil 2:13 NLT
Tanya Crouse – Floyd’s Knobs, Indiana, “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
Christen Doggett, Arlington, TX
“Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€18-19‬ HCSB)
Julie Fawcett, Round Rock, Tx – ” I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us ” Romans 8:18 NIV
Marcy/Euless,TX
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Sarah Hubanks, San Jose California. “You open your hand and satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.” Psalm 145:16 NLT
Liz B., Indianapolis, IN
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 KJV
Exodus 33:15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.
Pam McKeithen, Satsuma, Alabama My flesh and my heart my fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalms 73:25 NAS
Tiffany McElhenny Winnie, TX “See I’m 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
Tiffany, Alexandria, Virginia
“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
Brianna, from Kansas, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'” (Jeremiah 9:23-24, ESV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1 NIV)
Buundo Village, Buikwe District, Uganda 2 Corinthians 7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. ESV
Cheryl from Austin, TX
“…But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)