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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maria – Macomb, Michigan
Philippians 4:6-7 New King James Version (NKJV)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Kathy Phillips, Inman SC….Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3 ESV
Heather Webb, Lake Wales, FL; “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)
Heather, Leawood, Kansas. “He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”” Revelation 21: 5 (NIV).
Amanda, Logansport, IN – “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2, NLT
Sarah from Port St. Lucie, FL
Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all things, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.
Colossians 3:17 ERV
Christy from Hillsboro, OR:
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
JAMES 3:17, ESV
Debbie Parsons, Eastland, Texas
“For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. Romans 4:13 ESV
Sarah Winslow Durant, Oklahoma “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4: 5, 6 NIV
Katie, Dallas, Texas – “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23 NIV
Trudy Burnett, Middletown, Ohio “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 NLT
Valerie Finch, Warrensburg, MO: “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7, NIV
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” (â€Proverbs‬ â€14‬:â€30‬ NIV)
Pamela Withrow in Gwinn, Michigan – “…knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.” –2 Peter 1:6-7, HCSB
Ann Gutierrez, Hurst, Tx, Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 NIV
Melody, Derry, New Hampshire
“SEEK the Lord and His strength;
SEEK His presence continually!”
I Chronicles 16:11 ESV
Molly Hale, Billings, Montana “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. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€19‬ NLT)”
Jen Slater from Harleysville, PA “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.” Psalm 62:1 NIV
Sherri Herron, Paris, Texas. “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear or be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Cheryl
The Villages, 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.
Isaiah 43:19. NIV
Ruston, Louisiana
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9 NIV
Kerry Kallina, Peachtree City, GA (SW Atlanta): “I will be your God throughout your lifetime until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” Isaiah 46:4 NLT
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (â€Romans‬ â€10‬:â€9‬ NLT)
Marian, Oklahoma City-“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Cor 10:5 NIV
Dawn from Greenville, SC “I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. ” (â€Psalms‬ â€31‬:â€7‬ NLT)
Tina Weiler, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. ” Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess. 5:16-18 NLT
Gwen, Pearland, Texas. “For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord,” plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Stephanie Scott, Farmers Branch,TX, “Out of the depths I cry to you Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.” Psalm 130:1-2, NIV
Elmwood, Tennessee
“Well, whatever you do, whether eat or drink, do it all for God’s glory.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (GNT)
Elsie Gregory – Scottsbluff, NE
Psalm 62:8 (NASB)
Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us.
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” ~ Romans 12:18
Serena Schacht – Milwaukie, Oregon “Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.” Psalm 25:5 NIV
Karen from Bingham Lake, MN “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor 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
Kellie Goedken, Sheldon, Iowa.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
Cyndi, Blue Springs, MO Isaiah 43:10 NIV “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am He. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.”
Pamma Rippe from Abingdon, VA. “But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but one who does good works– this person will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:25. HCSV
Sandy-Kokomo,Indiana
Proverbs 21:2 (KJV)
Every Way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth hearts.
Kristin, San Marcos, CA, “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.” Genesis 4:7 NIV
Shannon Holmes, Van Buren, Arkansas: The Lord your God is in your midst; a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
Carrie from Spartanburg, SC
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Rachel, Plano, TX. “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Ruthie Larkin, Everett Washington “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your Body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20(NKJV)
Kristyn Denton, MD You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1Cor 6:20.
Rose, Hot Springs, Arkansas. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26 (KJV)
Emily, Richland, WA. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 NIV
Kathy Goedken, Sheldon, Iowa
“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV)
Debbie McCaw: Elgin, IL
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18 ESV
Jennifer Chavez from Katy, Texas: Philippians 4:8 ESV “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.”
Adrienne Gaines, Springdale,AR: Peace I leave you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 ESV