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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Leslie Prain, Santee, CA “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Cor. 5:17 NIV
Hi, I am Jeanie Cullip from Twin Falls Idaho. This year I will be memorizing Proverbs 31:10-31.
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Proverbs 31:10 (NIV)
Latte of blessings & giggles to you and yours until next time!
“I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His lips more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12
Beth Dutton, Atlantic Beach, FL
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” Colossians 3:12 NIV
Jeremiah 29:11
‘For I Know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’
Lynda Cooksey; Dawsonville, GA
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17
Sabra, Dunn NC, – “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
Dawn Whiteford, Batavia, OH
You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.
Psalm 119:114 ESV
Dawn K. Warrenton, VA I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart I have overcome the world. John 16:33 ESV
Kelsy, Montana, ” Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.” 1 Cornthians 16:13-14 NLT
Karen Acurso, Visalia, CA. “An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels” Proverbs 31:10 NASB
Isaiah 40:31 But they that love 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.
Deonne Collins, Hallsville, Tx
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Phillipians 3:12
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) KJV
“But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NKJ)
Jeannine Anderson in Pelican Rapids, MN Romans 8:31 ESV What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:13
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.” (â€Joshua‬ â€1‬:â€9‬ NIV)
Jeannie, Garner, NC
“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 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
Bonnie from CenterLine, Mi
You make known to me the path of life;
You will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Ps.16:11 NIV
Kelly B., Clarksville, TN. (For when I am tempted) 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)
Mayville, WI
Psalm 61:2 (ASV)
From the end of the earth will I call unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Grace Rose, Topeka KS: “…and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.” -Ephesians 3:9-10, NASB
“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)
Tina Arthur, Ontario Canada
“See, the Lord your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the Lord, the God of your father, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged”.
Deuteronomy 1:21 NIV
Patti, Clemmons, NC
So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time,not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Hebrews 9:28-NIV
Oops 2 Corinthians 4:7
Tammy Smith, Toccoa, Georgia “but the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more the Israelites multiplied and spread, and the more alarmed the Egyptians because.” Exodus 1:12 Praise God! The harder the devil comes against me the MORE I will claim the blood of Jesus over my life! When the enemy comes to afflict me the stronger I will become in Christ.
Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. (â€Romans‬ â€15‬:â€4‬ NLT)
22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not. Lamentations 3:22
“It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel” Proverbs 20:3 NIV
Andrea M, Baldwinsville, NY, “But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me.” Psalms‬ â€66‬:â€19-20‬ NLT
Deb Schlaud, North Branch, MI “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” Hebrews 13:8 NIV
Charlotte Sloan. Myrtle Beach, SC
Psalms 37:4 NKJV
Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Happy New Year, Sisters!
Paisley Grace, Watertown,SD
But in the depths of my heart I truly know that You have become my Shield. You take me and surround me with Yourself, Your glory covers me continually. You alone restore my courage, for You lift high my head when I bow low in shame. I have cried out to You and from Your holy presence You send a Father’s help. Psalm 3:3-4 TBT
“Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already – you can see it now! I will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there.”
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.
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Galatians 5:16 NIV
Lynn Burnett, ringgold Ga. Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, NLT
Marsha LaFave-Gower, MO. Don’t be selfish, don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Phillipians 2:3 NLT
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)
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
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 1 Peter 1:5-7 NIV
Memphis, TN
Lindsey Vivas, Columbus, IN: “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:5,6 ESV
Cheryl from Aubrey, Texas.
‘And the Lord shall guide you continually and satisfy you in drought and in dry places and make strong your bones. And you shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not’. Isaiah 58:11 (Amp)
Allison from Texas:
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2b ESV
Nicole Parrish , WAllaceburg, ON
and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it. (â€Colossians‬ â€2‬:â€19‬ NLT)
Kathy Munk, Grand Rapids, Ohio, Romans 8:6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. NLT
Shari Dickie, El Dorado Hills, Ca
Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.
Luke 9:62 The Message
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