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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky displays his handiwork.”
Psalm 19:1 NET
19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. Romans 5:19 ESV
Deb Roberts, Yukon, OK. “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11, NIV
Debra Goins Leander TX “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
I live in Round Rock!
I can do all this through him that gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NIV
Ruth Kain Logansport, Indiana
And without faith it is impossible to please GOD, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 NIV)
Emily Ince, Danville, Virginia “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 worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” (â€Philippians‬ â€4‬:â€8‬ NASB)
Londa Kreienkamp, Cuba Missouri
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1
Phillippians 4:6 (NIV) Quest Study Bible
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, present your requests to God.
Jennifer Sullivan, Dimmitt, TX “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 NIV
Rana, Lovington, New Mexico
“The LORD is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him.”
Lamentations 3:25 NIV
Sorry forgot to say Natalie Khantharoth San Antonio,TX Galatians 5:16 NLT
Psalms 25:1-2 NKJV To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me.
Ruthie Farmer, Brentwood TN,
And his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 1: 19-20, NIV
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32.
Traci Wilhelm, Germantown, Ohio. “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
Isaiah 54:17New International Version (NIV)
17 no weapon forged against you will prevail,
and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
and this is their vindication from me,”
declares the Lord.
Gloria Villarreal, Corpus Christi, TX “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” -Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Isaiah 42:9 NASB
“Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.”
Kim, Malvern, AR
Romans 12:2 New International Version (NIV)
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Andrea Rodman Gary,IN
His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him- though He is not far from any one of us.
Acts 17:27NLT
Savannah Lyon, Kearney, Ne
The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, he will be quiet in his love, he will rejoice over you with shouts of joy!
Zephaniah 3:17 (NASB)
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NIV) “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”
Freida Keyes, Memphis, TN
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10 NIV
Holly from Madison, WI – These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11
Joyce D. Littleton, CO
“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
Megan Miller, Thornton, CO “Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:1-3
Amy Leskowski, Kalamazoo, Michigan, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1 ESV
Ronda, Murfreesboro
“Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.” Proverbs 3:7-8 NLT
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
Laura Potopa, Lindstrom, Minnesota
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Psalm 42:11 NIV
Hannah, Ontario Canada. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 NIV
Lisa Hamrick, Shelby, NC
The name of The Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 NIV
Suzanne Rich, Waxhaw, NC, ” For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all nations.” Isaiah 61:11 ESV
Heather Young, Fairbanks, AK, “Be strong and courageous! Do not fear or tremble before them, for The Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail your or abandon you!” Deut 31:6 NET
Jenny, Central Asia
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1, ESV
Debbie K, Sachse TX : “I am the LORD; I have spoken and I will perform it.” Ezekiel 17:24
Syracuse, UT. Above all, love each other deeply, Because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 (niv)
Belinda Johnson, Menard, Texas ,” Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for IHave put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go , for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8 NIV
Rhonda Trujillo, Garden Grove, CA, “Consequently, you are no
longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s
people and members of God’s household,” Eph 2:19NIV
Bernadette, Mtn Home, AR
Jesus gave in. “Oh woman your faith is something else. What you want is what you get!” Right then her daughter became well. Matthew 15:28 the Message
Dawn Moore, Buford, GA Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to GOD. And the peace of GOD, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7. NIV
For I am about to do something new.See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? Isaiah 43:19
Brandi Mincey, Hope Mills, NC
“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
Come to me,all who are weary and burdened,and I will give you rest. MATTHEW 11:28
Do not love the world or the things in this world. If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 2:15
27 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
Alison Sparre, Sacramento, California
My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
Philippians 1:20 HCSB
Melissa Dougherty, Skiatook, OK: “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” Psalms 18:2 KJV
Jennifer Lengwin, Mount Vernon, IA. “He tends His flock as a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart.” Isaiah 40:11