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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Teri O’Brien, Lakeway, TX
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.
Jeremiah 29:11 New American Standard
Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 ESV
Cindy Cannon, Otterville, IL
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
“For no word from God will ever fail.” Luke 1:37 NIV
Erin from North Texas–“God’s Son was before all else, and by him everything is held together.” Colossians 1:17 (Contemporary English Version)
Lynn Darling, Marshall, Mi,. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2-3 NIV
Christa Todd — Chesapeake,VA
” 20 Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” -Romans 4:20-21 NIV
Judy Broker, Bowie, TX – “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.” Proverbs 15:30 NIV
Ephesians 3:17-I pray that you being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Alexis Anderson, Torrance, CA “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
Laura Wassink, Brantford, Ontario, Canada. “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6,7
Linda Solmes, Savage, MN Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, (â€Philippians‬ â€3‬:â€13‬ ESV)
Karen Ursel, Conesus NY, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
Elise Martin, Wilmington DE
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews‬ â€4‬:â€16‬ NIV
Joey Lynn, Las Vegas, Nevada
Psalm 71:5 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
5 For you are my hope, Adonai Elohim,
in whom I have trusted since I was young.
do not dwell on the past. – Isaiah 43:18
Tina Hulbert, Knoxville, TN. “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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
Nancy Mills, Athens,AL.
“In everything give thanks,: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
I Thessalonians 5:18 KJV
Livonia MI
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:5 NIV
Debby C., Akron, OH “I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 NIV84
Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14, NASB
Melody, Ripley, TN
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NIV
Stacy, Siloam Springs, AR, ” Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” Psalms 51:10 NIV
Jennifer Johnson, Fort Worth, TX
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” Luke 16:10 NIV
Tanya Easley, Porter, TX – “The result of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever.” Isaiah 32:17 HCSB
2 Corinthians 4:17English Standard Version (ESV)
17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Sarah Legaspi, Riverside, CA “For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
Happy New Year Everyone!!!
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8
Nenia Ryan, Sebring, FL “Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18 NIV
Rachelle, Quakertown, PA “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God.” NIV
Claire Labadie, Fort Bliss Tx
“If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”
Jeremiah 29:13 NLT
“The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Christy from Olmitz, Kansas – The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. Proverbs 29 : 25 NKJV
Logan, Ohio. For I know the plan I have for you, declares The Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
Crystal Chappell,Birmingham, Al “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8
Christy Billingsley from Terry, MS
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27 NIV
Alice Carr Madisonville Ky. Do not be anxious about anything , but in everything by prayer and petition , with thanksgiving , present your request to God . Philippians 4:6
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT – “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Happy New Year’s Day 2015 to the SSMT — let’s get into His Word and go forth to be all that the Lord has planned for us this year!! We love you and your team, Beth!!
“Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing” Psalm 100:2 KJV
Kathy Seibert Franklin,Ohio Luke 10:27 So He answered and said”You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your might and all your strength and with all your mind.
Dana Fairrel, Senoia, GA.
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
Tammi Edwards, Rockford,IL. “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children.” Psalm 103:17 NKJV
Janet P. from College Station, TX
“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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians12:9 ESV
Heather McDaniel, Tellico Plains, TN ” 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
Rebecca Mabis-Bettendorf, IA- 1/1/15
There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all. (â€Ephesians‬ â€4‬:â€5-6‬ NLT)
Diane Welch, Corinth TX “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Maggie Parish, Elk River Mn “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. Psalm 139:14 NIV
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 Cor 12:9)
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart).
Proverbs 16:2. Amplified