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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Janet Poore from Paola, KS “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
“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 in anything.” (James 1:2-4, NIV)
Michelle Johnson from Dallas, TX:
“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 â€12‬:â€1‬ NIV
Theresia Whitfield, Indianapolis, IN – “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.” (Colossians 3:16a ESV)
Liz N, Santeee, CA: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb 11:1 (KJV)
Taylor, Cincinnati, Ohio
So we can say with confidence, “The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
Hebrews 13:6 NLT
Melanie Toups
Bridge City, TX
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. –Psalm 90:12 (NASB)
Danielle from Cedar Park, TX
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26 (ESV)
I have chosen my verse as Isaiah 41:10, Do not fear for I am with you, do not be afraid for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will hold onto you with my righteous right hand.
Lindsay Bailey from Memphis, Tennessee!
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to GOD”. -Philippians 4:6 (ESV)
Michelle from SanDiego, CA
“The Lotd your Gid is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves, He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV)
Nicole Elaine from Washington, DC
“Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth: Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.” -Isaiah 43:19 NASB
Jonae Grinage,Irving Tx “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strength you with power through his Spirit in your inner being Ephesians 3:16 NIV
Isaiah 43:18-19
“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 & streams in the wasteland.”
Joan O’Brien, Southlake, Texas. “See, l 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
Kelsey Melton, Bristol, Virginia. “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19(NLT)
Angel Douglas, Villa Rica, GA
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6 NIV)
Sally, Gahanna OH
” I will exalt You, my God and King;
I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Every day I will praise You
And extol Your name forever and ever.
Psalm 145:1-2 NIV
Aww I’m doing this verse in the Voice translation 🙂
Pam Fink, Shawnee, OK
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. 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 43:18-19 KJV
Karen from Humble, Texas—
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9 NIV)
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then from my flesh I shall see God,whom I shall see on my side,and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me! Job 19-25-27
Linda Lewis from Colorado Springs, Colorado
The Lord your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love Him with all your heart and soul and so you may live. (Deuteronomy 30:6)
Pamela McDavid, Hubbard, OR
Psalm 45:1 “My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.”
Suzanne
Tenaha, TX
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Ariana McKee, Boise, ID.
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
Kassandra Christensen Butte, ND
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
Shannon – Midland, MI
“Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 NIV)
From Houston, Texas
“… Stand every morning to give thanks and praise the LORD.”
I Chronicles 23:30 NIV
Hello fellow siesta’s! My name is Melissa and I am from Olathe,Ks.
John 14:27 NASB Peace I leave with you;my peace I give to you;not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled,nor let it be fearful.
Pam from Roswell , GA
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
Mary Alice Landmon, Baxley, Georgia. “You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. ” (â€Psalms‬ â€139‬:â€5‬ NKJV)
Ana Kempfer from Dayton, TX
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
Romans 13:14 ESV
Kathy McCoy
Chandler, OK
“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 learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (â€Proverbs‬ â€19‬:â€21‬ NIV)
Littleton, CO. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 NASB
Psalm 86:9 – “All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name.”
Kim K., Lancaster, OH
24 “Sovereign Lord, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do?
Deuteronomy 3:24 NIV
Jessica Cornelison, Gadsden,AL. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14 NIV.
Melissa Weseloh, St. Louis, MO
For you shall not go out in haste, and you shall not go in flight, for the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
Isaiah 52:12 (ESV)
Jennifer, Erie, PA.
Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4 NIV)
Shana Greer, Holly Springs, NC ~ “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
Tristan Moore from Cypress, 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 a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Angie Perkins | Springville, AL
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
Krista/Sardis
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1, ESV)
Shannon, Cypress, Texas
The angel told me to give Zerubbabel (Shannon) this message from the Lord: “You will succeed, not by military might or by your own strength, but by my spirit.”
Zechariah 4:6 (GNT)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV
Sherri Bosely, Rolesville, NC — “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. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9 ESV)
Billie Galyen, Greenville, KY: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world.” Hebrews 1:1-2 ESV
Ashley Dill, Johnson City TX
Isaiah 49:16, I drew a picture of you on my hand.
You are always before my eyes. (ERV)
Kathy Bricker/North Wilkesboro, NC
Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you.
Isaiah 43:5 (ESV)