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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Christina Juarez Fort Worth Texas
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. Isaiah 43:10 NIV
Kimberly Bruneel from Stockton, CA
“Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 Holman
Brooke Akins, Atlanta, GA
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (NIV)
Ilesha, Sacramento, Ca – Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” (â€Luke‬ â€1‬:â€45‬ NKJV)
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I’m making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Gerri B Perry, GA
Ephesians 2:19 NKJV
Now therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with saints and members of the household of God
Denise S. in Wilmington, NC Psalm 119:11 I wil meditate on You precepts and egard your ways. NASB
Brandi Moses, Roanoke, TX. “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!” Luke 1:45 (NIV)
Connie Freeman, Broken Bow, OK
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (â€Philippians‬ â€4‬:â€8‬ NKJV)
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:13 NIV
Appropriately starting 2015 with, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8 ESV
“He who is the blessed and only sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. I Tim 6:15-16
Tina DeLong, West Jefferson, Ohio
For Nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37 NIV
Carol S., Pasadena,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.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Kelley Valentine, Jackson, Tn. “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight and understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 (AMP)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. 1 Peter 1:3-4 NIV
Hevila V Rickner, Silver Springs, Nevada. “You saw me before I was born. Everyday of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” Psalms 139:16 NLT
Huntsville, AL
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise and she gives instructions with kindness.” Proverbs 31:25-26 NLT
Jamie Starr Chickamauga, Ga
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 NKJV
Laura Lozier, Portersville, PA
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 NLT
Heather Lynn Lopez, Lindale, GA
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)
Kaitlyn, Tampa, FL
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
Deuteronomy 6: 4-9, NKJV
Marilyn Owen, Seattle, WA
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (â€Matthew‬ â€6‬:â€21‬ NIV)
Jennie Nadeau, Alliston, Ontario Canada
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
Hebrews 1:3 NIV
Beth Howard, Gillette, Wyoming.
Deuteronomy 31:8 “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
“And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:19
Anna, Roseville, California. “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NASB
Kelly Pate, Eriwn, TN “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Rosana O.Lehmberg, Hamburg- Germany “But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.” Psalm 52:8
That’s beautiful!
Lori Sapp, Overland Park, KS “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” COLOSSIANS 3:16 NKJV
Katie Sievert, Albuquerque, NM, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NIV
I love this verse! It’s on my mirror so I can see it every morning while I’m getting ready for the day.
That scripture was a reference for a song I sang in Temple during services growing up..I was raised Jewish.
Deena Sellars, Amarillo, TX
“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” 1 Corinthians 15:58(NLT)
Ramona W. Mobile, AL
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 Holman CSB Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Kandi Lane, Big Spring Texas, ‘ But we have this treasure in jars Of Clay to show that this all-surpassing Power is from God and not from us.’
“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
I am the LORD, your Holy One, The Creator of Israel, your King. Thus says the LORD, Who makes a way through the sea, and a path through the mighty waters. Isaiah 43:15-16 NASV
Tammy Bradshaw, Bluffton, Ohio.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us …Ephesians 3:20 : NIV
Amy Brown
Defuniak springs, FL
Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, (â€Colossians‬ â€3‬:â€12‬ HCSB)
Leigh Ann Richardson , Brookhaven, MS
You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalms 32:7 NIV
Kate Pieper, California Ephesians 3:17-19 NASB
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
Christina Hall, Brush Creek, TN. “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Jeanette Tallent. Ringgold, ga Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, NKJ
scotland, uk
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled
Matthew 5 v 6 niv
Grace Veenker, Bishop, CA. “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.” Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Sandy Ryan, San Antonio, Tx
Blessed are they who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart. Psalm 119:2 NIV
Psalmen 119:105 Your word is lamp for my feet and a light on my path
Uw woord is een lamp voor mijn voet en een licht op mijn pad.
In dutch
Rachel Vanden Hull, Sioux Center, IA.” But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 NIV
Kyndra Hartzler, Houston, TX, “You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 NASB
Liz Scherer from Fort Worth, TX
“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
LaVonne Beale, Peachtree City, GA
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.
Psalms 56:8 NLT