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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“You crown the year (2015) with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.” ~ Psalm 65:11 (NIV)
Hollie R
Granbury, TX
*PS – this pink haired girl is SO EXCITED!*
My Siesta Memory Verse:
Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him and He will help you.
Ps 37:5. NLT
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
NIV Proverbs 16:3
Kristie H. Cheney, WA. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Samantha Zumbro, Anchorage, Alaska. ” But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 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 12:9-10 NIV
Julie Patrick, Florence, SC “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9 KJV
Taryn Anderson, Waynesville, Missouri. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV
Taryn (Ms. Anderson)!
Excited to see your post on here! Ally and I are doing this too! 🙂 -Telena 🙂
Ephesians 2:19
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household. NIV
Vicki Freels, Rutherfordton, NC. “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 NIV
Sylvie, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
” It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.”
2 Samuel 16:12 (NIV)
Oh I forgot the Bible version. I’m using NIV in my Thompson Chain Reference Bible. sorry!
Paula, Appomattox, VA
Romans 1:20-21: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
Amy, Snellville, GA “Obey me, and then I will be your God, and you will be my people. You must walk in every way I command you so that it may go well with you.” Jeremiah 7:23 (HCSB)
Jennifer Wilson, Brentwood, CA. “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.” Jer 29:11 NIV
I’m trying to post my scripture, but can’t figure out how to do it
Justina Nadolson from Granville, OH:
The Lord’s lovingkindnesses never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 NAS
Do not change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect. Romans 12:2 NCV
Emily from California
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:6 (NIV)
Emily, Olympia, WA
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 NIV
Susan, Union, IL
“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation”. Isaiah 12:3 ESV
Megan Andrade, Plano, TX, “I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.” Psalm 119:15-16 NIV
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth NKJ
Connie Kempf, Eugene, OR “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” James 3:1 NKJV
Mindy C Laurel, NE Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11 NKJV
Rene Ketron, Seminole, TX
#1
“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 NIV
Gabby Cianciotto, Dickinson, TX
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1b (NIV)
Kathy Sweetman, San Diego, CA. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. Romans 4:20-21, NLT
Susannah Maddox, Folsom, CA “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9 NIV
“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?” Luke 16:10-11 NLT
Karen Anderson, Fort Worth, TX
MaryK, Omaha, NE “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.” Philippians 4:6-7, NIV
Wendy P. Milwaukee, WI “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give so don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT
Emma Humphreys, Carlton Landing OK – “Do not conform any longer 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
Denise. Dallas, Geogia. “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 ESV
Wendy McClellan, Powhatan, Virginia. “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 (NIV)
Kay Mishler, winchester ky, For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will rise from another place, but you and your fathers house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this. Esther4:14
Heather Watts San Diego, California
We humans keep brain storming options and plans but God’s purpose prevails. Proverbs 19:21 The Message
Sophia Slater, Harleysville, PA “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
Addy Cianciotto, Dickinson, TX
“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
Stacey from Denham Springs, LA
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Joanna from Greer, South Carolina Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6 NIV
Mary Lou–Farmington, NM
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:19 NIV
Ruth, Corvallis, OR 2 Peter 1:3 NIV
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.
Elisa, Westland Michigan.
He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also to walk, even as He walked.
1 John 2:6
Jennifer Pipes, Russellville, Arkansas
Colossians 2:8 NLT
Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.
Look,I am about to do something new; even now it is com in ng. Do you not see it? I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. -Isaiah 43:19 HCS
Dana,Cape Girardeau,Mo.
“For I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 1:6 Holman)
Ellen Hollenshead, Albuquerque, NM. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. Psalm 27:4, ESV.
Kathy C from Pawnee, IL
“For I know the plans I have for you” says The Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
BB Powell Gilbert, Arizona. “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” Psalm 32:5 NIV
Sheri Bunch, Concord, NC. “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 NIV