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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Scherri, Calvert City, KY “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” NIV
Suni from Roanoke, VA “You crown the year with bountiful harvest, even the hard pathways overflow with ABUNDANCE!” Psalm 65:11
Callie, my 1 year old daughter “Jesus Saves” Romans 10:13
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since members of One body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Col. 3:15
Debbie Williams Ringgold, Ga. Exodus 13:15 With your unnfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed. In your might you guide them to your sacred home.
Tanya Colson.Lincoln,Nebraska. “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.” Hebrews 4:12 NIV
Lynann Lewis, Artesia N.M
Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
Judy. Lorain, Ohio. “And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NKJV
“but those who hope 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.”
Maria Foley, Coronado, CA: Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14
Debbie Johnson from Boca Raton Florida
“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure” 2 Samuel 22:33 NIV
Isaiah 43:19 NKJV
Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.
Carol Myhre, Cottonwood, MN, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. NIV
Erica Crain – Springfield, Missouri. “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22 NIV
Robin Callery, Brownsville TN “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
Sara, Bremerton, WA
Commit EVERYTHING to the Lord. Trust him and he will help you.
PSALMS 37:5
Psalm 37:3-5, 7a
Trust in the LORD, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust Him, and He will act. Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for Him.
Esther de Graaf, Nieuwveen, The Netherlands (Europe): “Van alles waarover je waakt, waak vooral over je hart. Het is de bron van je leven.” Spreuken 4:23, NBV
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
Brooke from Deatsville, Alabama
They will have no fear of bad news, their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in they will look in triumph on their foes.
Psalm 112:7-8 NIV
April Matthews, Bethel, NC. “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 NKJV
Rebecca Green, Whangarei, New Zealand: 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. 2 Corinthians 2:9 NIV
Tiffany Hunsberger || Fresno, California (currently)
Psalm 90:14 ESV — Satisfy us in the morning with Your steadfast love, that we may rejoice & be glad all our days.
Hillary Stephens, Plano, TX. “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Reedemer.” Psalm 19:14 NIV
Melissa Dulaney, Circleville, OH
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
Deeann Rippee, McKinney, Texas.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
-Phillipians 4:8
NASB
“and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2 NIV
Jeremiah 29:11King James Version (KJV)
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Lori Clayton, Norfolk, VA (soon to be North Wilkesboro, NC)
The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. Habakkuk 3:19
Teresa, San Diego, California: “Be completely humble and gentle; Be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.”- Ephesians 4:2-3
To strengthen my marriage.
Shannon Pate
Little Rock, Arkansas
“Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation, for you I wait all the day long.” Psalm 25:5 ESV
Memory Visscher, Wenatchee,Washington
And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert, and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18 NIV
Liz Millinor from St Johns, FL
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings as eagles;
They shall run, and not be weary;
And they shall walk, and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 KJV
You will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
Angie Mehrtens, Cadet, Missouri
NIV Proverbs 16:31
Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.
Mary Green, Tupelo, MS “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).
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18
Teresa Gatti, Gloster, La “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NLT
Judy Frazier, Red Oak, TX
“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16, NASB
I forgot to put the verse and translation
Ephesians 3:20 (ERV)
20 With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of.
Kathy Springer, Chula Vista, CA. “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;” 2 Peter 1:5 NIV
Rita Cueva, Tulsa, Oklahoma
“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. (â€Matthew‬ â€5‬:â€9‬ NLT)
Vicki Kimble Phelan CA “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far out weighs them all.” 2 Corinth ins 4:17 NIV
Madeleine Padilla Corrales: I will exalt you my God the King; I will praise your name forever and ever. Everyday I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever.
Psalm 17:6 NLT “I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God.
Bend down and listen as I pray.”
Tracy Paul, Bend, Oregon.
My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation,
In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places isaiah 32:18 NKJV
Christin; Raleigh, NC; “Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:2-5, ESV
Julie Kain, Newton, Iowa
“Commit your actions to the LORD and your plans will succeed” Proverbs 16:3 NLT
Riverside, WA.
Don’t depend on your own wisdom. Respect the Lord and refuse to do wrong. Then your body will be healthy, and your bones will be strong.
Proverbs 3:7-8
New Century Version (NCV)
Amy Littleton, Farmerville, LA
They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:23 NIV