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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amy Kay Nickerson, Lascassas, TN, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€18-19‬ ESV
Beth, Fort Worth Tx. LUKE 10:19 ESV Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.
Sarah Mann;Avon, Indiana
He is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trusted in him, and he helped me. Joy rises in my heart until I burst out in songs of praise to him. Psalm 28:7 (TLB)
Susie, Northville, MI. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Karen, Lynnwood, Wa
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1st Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Dana Current, Rosewood, Ohio
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you.” (Isaiah 43:2a NIV)
Christine, Newcastle, England “Give all your worries and cares to God for he cares about you” 1 Peter 5:7 NLT
A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. Proverbs 14:30 ESV
Rhonda. Wilmington, NC.
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19. ESV
Cara Kriz
Tampa, Florida
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever.
Isaiah 40:8 ESV
Brook from Ida M
Isaiah 55:10-11Â ESV
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Spokane, WA
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path.
~Psalm 119:105 (KJV)
Amy Works from Camden AR-
“This is my command- be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NLT)
“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” (Psalm 62:8 NIV)
Donna Huneycutt, Mt. Pleasant, NC
Luke 1:45 NASB
And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.
Cindy Peete, Colorado Springs, Colorado. “as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.” Philippians 1:20 ESV
Lyric from Garner, NC
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. Philippians 2:14&15. NIV 1999
April Hughes, Escondido, Ca. “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 ESV
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and be not afraid: For The Lord JEHOVAH is my stength and my song; He also is become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2 (NKJ)
Jeannine Hale
Eagan, MN
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)
Deborah Welch from Shelbyville, TX –
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NASB
Shanna, Lake Stevens, WA “Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 (AMP)
Alma Miller, San Antonio, Texas. “Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled].” John 14:27 AMP
Barbara from Rhinelander.
Lord, you have probed me, you know me:
Psalm 139:1 (NAB)
7They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. 8 Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. Psalm 112: 7-8 NIV
Brittany Mabe from San Diego, CA: For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling, Isaiah 30:15. ESV
Jane from Trussville, AL
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” James 1:19-20 NIV
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (â€Matthew‬ â€6‬:â€34‬ NIV)
‘For surely I know the plans for you’,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NRSV
Janie~Valera,TX
Bless the Lord,O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities,who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies. Psalms 103:1-4 NKJ
Erin, Fort Myers, FL
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness; “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 (ESV)
Becky B, Medway OH,
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8 (NIV)
LynnAnn Bryant Arlington, TX
Know 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.
Deut. 7:9
Ellen from Amersfoort, the Netherlands
Zie, ik ga iets nieuws verrichten, nu ontkiemt het, heb je het nog niet gemerkt?
Ik baan een weg door de woestijn, maak rivieren in de wildernis. Jesaja 43:19 NBV (Dutch)
Keri Bradsher, Davisburg, Michigan “but those who help 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
Jude 1:24-25 NAS
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy; to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen
Melanie Brown, Buffalo Gap, TX – “For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6 NIV
Tressa Isaacs, Bloomington, Minnesota. “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ…” Philippians 3:8 ESV
Lisa Malone Columbus, OH His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 1 Peter 1:3 NIV
Cindy Nickerson, Lascassas, Tennessee, Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12:10-11 NIV
Unto you, O Lord,do I bring my life. Psalm 25:1
(amp)
Andi Shofner, San Marcos, TX
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)
Kerry from Houston, TX:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Psalm 103:1 NASB
Cindy Wilbur – Clifton, VA
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” – Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
Love is patient, love is kind.it does not envy, it does not boast. It is not proud. 1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV
Lily Rhodes, Oklahoma City, OK
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 NIV
The Temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT
Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. Ps: 115:1 NIV Keri Lucy, Conway, AR
Behold I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 ESV
I’m from Westfield, IN.
Judy Maddox, Poulsbo WA:Romans 3:23 “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” NASB