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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kim Gaudreau, East Granby, CT
“Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually.” Psalm 105:4, ESV
Lindy Boatfield/Cartersville, GA
“My heart and my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26 NIV
Diana McAfee from Whitewright TX
“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” Psalm 20:4 (NIV)
Lake Orion, Michigan USA
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. (Psalm 32:8)
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord turn his face toward you,
And give you peace.
Numbers 6: 24-26
Debbie from Holbrook, NY
“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
Lea Rhodes, Oklahoma City, OK
“But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about God’s wonderful kindness and love.” Acts 20:24 NLT
Julia Widman, Arlington, TX
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. (â€1 Corinthians‬ â€6‬:â€12‬ ESV)
Trisha Mendenhall – Midland, Texas – Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (â€Hebrews‬ â€4‬:â€16‬ ESV)
Sandy-Alabama
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise.
Ephesians 5:15 ESV
Theresa P, Fort Worth, TX : Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deut. 31:6 NIV
Hannah Huneycutt, Mt. Pleasant, NC
Psalm 122:1 NASB
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
Hannah Blaisdell, Weatherford, Texas. “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NIV
Noreen K. Cleveland, OH “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” Philippians 1:19 NKJV
Claudia Clawson, Lexington, KY, ” So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
Hebrews 4:16.
Michelle Sund
St. Peter, Minnesota
“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)
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:11, ESV)
Michelle Wynne Spokane WA. “Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope.” Psalm 119:49. NIV
Lorna Clemente, Walker, LA
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
Susie Popp Lancaster, CA
I chose this verse because I sometimes struggle with giving it to God (more than sometimes~lol)
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. NIV
Becky, Splendora, TX
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Heb 4:12 NIV
Tucson,az
Above all,clothe yourself with love,which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
COL. 5:14,15 NLT
Rachel, Cleveland OH
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 1 Peter 5:10 (NKJV)
April Picard from West Monroe, LA
“If you love Me, you will keep My commands.” (â€John‬ â€14‬:â€15‬ HCSB)
Christina Rebar from Kirkwood, NY
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 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. (â€Romans‬ â€12‬:â€1-2‬ NLT)
Marye Waite, Lewiston, ME
To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (I Peter 5:11 NKJV)
Ann Munson from Brainerd, Minnesota
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NIV
Denise from Fullerton, CA
Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:3 NLT
Phyllis Bertram. Grand Forks, ND
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
Jarae Scruggs. Bowie, Tx.
“But with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26 NIV
Amanda from Burnettsville, Indiana
He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Psalms 91:4 NLT
Annie from St. Louis, MO
Isaiah 42:3-4 NIV
“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope.”
Leah Stacy from Haughton, Louisiana
A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. Proverbs 12:26 NIV
Cheryl Conklin, Roswell, NM “Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.” Isaiah 30:21 NASB
Martha Leone
He who is sitting at the throne said,”I am making all things new!” And then he said,”write this down for these words are trustworthy and true!”
Revalation 21:5
Tyrene High Albuquerque,New Mexico
Christy Rhodes, Anderson, IN. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7 NIV
Tracy, Loganville, GA, “So teach us to number our days, so that we may apply our hearts unto widdom.” Psalm 90:12 NIV
McKenzie Frazier, Olney, Texas
Children are a heritage from the Lord,
offspring a reward from him.
Psalm 127:3 (NIV)
Karen Hitchcox, Conway, AR – Therefore prepare your mind for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. NASB I Peter 1:13
Sherie
The Woodlands, TX
Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 NLT
Kim Watt from Riverview, Michigan- “Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 HCSB
Monica
Cheyenne, WY
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentelness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
Lanise, Sachse, TX
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
Melissa Stevens, Kingwood, TX “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.” Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV
This is an awesome verse for where I am now….I’m going to use this for the 15th. Thanks!
Love is patient, love is kind.it does not envy, it does not boast. It is not proud. 1 Corinthians 13:4
Carola
Missoula, MT
For it is God who is at work within you, giving you the will and the power to achieve his purpose.
Phil 2:13, Philips
Sandy from Brookshire, Texas. I Thess. 5:16-18 NAS Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus
Stephanie Ryan, Tomball, Tx
Even when we are too weak to have any faith left, he remains faithful to us and will help us, for he cannot disown us who are part of himself, and he will always carry out his promises to us.
2 Timothy 2:13 (TLB)
Misty, North Charleston, SC
My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.
John 10:27 NIV
Mary Benton
Lamesa,Texas
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Matthew 5:14-15