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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Carol
Carthage, NY
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16 ESV
Ashley Case, Cincinnati, OH “For I hold you by your right hand- I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Do not be afraid, I am here to help you.’ ” Isaiah 41:13 NLT
DeAnn Smith Friendswood, Texas. “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. ASV
Jena McGann, Matthews, NC
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (â€Hebrews‬ â€11‬:â€6‬ NIV)
Beth Hagler Tampa Florida
“for I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not Fear, I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Judy Canon, New Braunfels, Tx. – “The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng.” Psalm 68:11 NIV
Ashley Lokkesmoe
Katy, TX
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 19:21
NIV
I’m IN!!! I love this – awesome idea! Thank you for your ministry 🙂
Mindy Campbell, Westminster Maryland.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV
Michelle Ublasi, California City, CA
“Make Your Face Shine upon Us”
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the people’s praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the people’s with equity and guide the nations upon the earth. Let the people’s praise you, O God; let all the people’s praise you! Psalm 67:1-5 (ESV)
Marjo, Eagle River, Alaska, Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls. Yet I will exult in the Lord. I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength and He has made my feet like hinds feet, and makes me walk on high places. Habakkuk 3:17-19 NASB
Kim from Cleveland Ok
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning (Lamentations 3:22-23, NLT).
Karen, Richardson, Texas I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1 NKJV
Monica/Big Spring,TX
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trial, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance James 1:2 NASB
Sheila Parks, Corinth, Texas
‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.’ Phil. 4:6-7 NIV
Jennifer Fermanides, Hope Mills, NC
Romans 8:28~ (New King James Version)
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Ashley Jones, Tomball, TX
For as long as life is in me, And the breath of God is in my nostrils, My lips certainly will not speak unjustly, Nor will my tongue mutter deceit. (â€Job‬ â€27‬:â€3-4‬ NASB)
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 NIV
Darcy Arnold, Elizabethtown, Kentucky. “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 ESV
Cathy Jones, Chelan Wa: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (â€Hebrews‬ â€12‬:â€1‬ ESV)
Margaret from Summerfield, FL
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. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€19‬ NIV)
Emily
Heath, Ohio
“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
Brenda-Lagrange,KY “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong”
1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV
Trish Patterson, Clover, SC I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NIV
Diana, Round Hill, VA Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 NRSV
Sherri Burns, Maryville, MO. “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!” Luke 1:45 NIV
Miki Jones Lafayette, LA Psalm 16:8 I keep the Lord in mind always, Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Holman
Lisa Carver, Cape Girardeau. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (â€Hebrews‬ â€4‬:â€16‬ NLT)
Renee Blaylock, Van Alstyne, TX
Philippians 3:13-14
No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. (NLT)
Karen Rispens, Dordrecht, The Netherlands
“Maak je dus geen zorgen voor de dag van morgen, want de dag van morgen zorgt wel voor zichzelf. Elke dag heeft genoeg aan zijn eigen last”.
MatteĂĽs 6:34
Kristetta Miller, Pineville, LA. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3 (NIV)
Dianne, Florida, “Love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.” Mark 12:31 MSG
Jayna VanWinkle from Searcy, Arkansas. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” Psalms 19:14 NKJV
Darcy – Daleville, AL
To have faith is to be sure of things we hope for, to be certain of things we cannot see. -Hebrews 11:1 (GNB)
Jeanni, Westland, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receive the the prize? So run, that ye mat obtain.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 KJV
Lee Ann Smith, Starkville, MS
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.” Lamentations 3:25 NIV
Lisa Schmitz, Indianapolis, Indiana. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV
Cindy Webster, Hesperia, CA.
Hebrews 12:1 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.
NIV
Lori Hayes, Blountsville, Alabama “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:10 KJV
Lillian Worgan, Donora, PA, psalm 46:5, God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. Esv
Mary- Columbia, SC- “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress.”-Psalm 107:19, NIV
Krista from Metro Detroit
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present or the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, or anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NIV
Shelley, Oklahoma City, For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears.He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
Becky Morrison, Marietta, GA. “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” Luke 9:23-24 NIV
Terri Tripp from Winchester,Virginia
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, (s)he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Julie Knittig, Kansas City, MO
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 51:10-12
Brigitte, Las Vegas, Nevada
” My grace is sufficient for u, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will gladly boast about my weakness,so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Cor 12:9 NIV
Michelle Crane, American Canyon, CA. “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 and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
Exodus 15:13 With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed. In your might, you guide them to your sacred home. NLV
Mary Beth from Hudsonville, MI – No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 NIV
Barbara Severns, Eagle, Idaho
Incline your ear abd hear the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge.
Proverbs 22:17 NASB