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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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
Andrea Sabean, Sussex, N.B., Canada “Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.” Isaiah 64:4 NIV
Meghan DeHart, Hatch, NM. “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 ESV
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, but deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13
Amy Swinder, Columbus, OH, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him, in love.”
Eph. 1:4 NKJV
Cyndi, Asheville, NC, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
Donna E. Fort Worth, TX He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2 NIV
Paula Antonelli, Redwood City, CA “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.” Proverbs 30:5 NKJV
Linda Smith, The Woodlands, TX
“As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.” Ecclesiastes 11:5 NIV
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
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.
Lisa Adams, Marietta S.C. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 ESV
Megan Williams
Brewer, Maine
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced… Psalm 105:4-5 NIV
Lorna Jones, Oxford, PA “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,” Ephesians 2:19 NIV
Shelly Choppin, Baton Rouge, Louisiana “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
Judy Williams, Round Hill, VA “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NIV
Marcy,Northwood,
We can make our plans but,
the LORD determines our steps.
Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)
Danielle, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Phillipians 4:9 NIV
Gale Wilkinson, Ocean Springs, MS. ” For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
Bethany, Pittsburgh, Pa
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (â€Romans‬ â€8‬:â€28‬ NIV)
Sherry Wright, Mill Creek, IN.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
John 15:4 NASB
Janet
Murphy, NC
I’d like to memorize as much of Phil 2 as possible.
Phil 2:1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
Melanie Miller, Nampa, ID
Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Psalm 86:1 NIV
Kimberly Farr, Opelika, AL. “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.” Psalm 33:18 NLT
Jennifer Wennekamp, Adair, OK “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:13-14(NLT)
Jada Akridge from Birmingham, Al.
So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD! Psalms 31:24 NLT
Dawn Roaix, Naugatuck, CT USA “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 NIV
Olivia Coy-Bradford, Ohio: But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (â€James‬ â€3‬:â€17‬ NIV)
Would love to participate!!
Emily Davisson, Bourbonnais, IL
Be made new in the attitude of your minds. Ephesians 4:23 NIV
Jeni Mauldin
Cleveland, TN
And God will provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 2 Corinthians 9:8
Emma Andreasen-Stephens, Sacramento, California.
“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Proverbs 25:11 NIV
“The things which are impossible with men are possible with God” Luke 18:27
Kristin Stepherson, Memphis, TN My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, (â€Colossians‬ â€2‬:â€2‬ NIV)
Judy Lewandowski. South Bend, IN “A joyful heart is good medicine.” Proverbs 17:22 ESV
Nina Ledger Scottsdale,AZ
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. ” Jeremiah 17:7 NIV
Brooke Carson, NW Tennessee … “Do not be anxious about anything,but in everything, by prayer and petition,with thanksgiving, present your request to God.”
Angela Snedeker;Grove City, OH
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 1Timothy 6:6-7 (NIV)
I would like to be a Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2015
Jamie, Hershey PA, Isaiah 43:19 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.
1 Cor. 10:31 NIV So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the the Glory of God.
Bobbi Jo O’Neal, Mount Pleasant SC
Teresa Minick, Yukon, OK Some will say I belong to the Lord; others will call themselves by the name of Jacob; still others will write on their hand , The Lord’s, and will take the name Israel. Isaiah 44:5 NIV
Anita Merino,Bronx, NYC, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NKJV
Tava Boyd, Bowling Green
For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for The Lord; and if we die, we die for The Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
Romans 14:7-8 NIV
“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
Donna B, Leonard, Tx, ” Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 NIV
“trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Jeanne Colvin, Magnolia, TX
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (â€Colossians‬ â€3‬:â€17‬ NKJV)
Amy Linde, Brentwood, TN. ” …Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9, NIV
Teresa Veltri, Lake Mary, FL. “Now listen daughter, don’t miss a word … The King is wild for you. Since he’s your lord, adore him.” Psalm 45:10-11 (The Mesaage)
Jenny England, South Bend, IN “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 ESV