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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. Phillippians 4:6 NIV
Sue, Groveport OH Psalm 37:1-2 NIV
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
Angel Gaines, Folsom,LA …There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Fatherfof all, who is over all, in all, and living through all. Ephesians 4:5-6
Kathy Jackson, Memphis, Tennessee. “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.” â€2 Corinthians‬ â€12‬:â€9‬ ESV
Karen Campbell, Granite Bay, CA. “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Philippians 3:12
Laina Okura, Indianapolis, Indiana. “And we all with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
Sara McClurg,Hayden,AL
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
Tina Speer, Marquez, Tx – “When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.” Psalm 138:3 NIV
Cindy, Tobaccoville NC-Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great: He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed in throughout the world,taken up in glory. I Timothy 3:16 NRSV
Kristy Williams, Casper, Wyoming
James 4:7 (MSG)
7-10 So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.
Tonenia Blecha, Mulvane, KS
3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
~Deuteronomy 8:3 (NIV)
Laura, Englewood Colo
My brothers and sisters, do not show prejudice if you possess faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.
James 2:1(NET)
Ephesians 4:24 and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. KJV
Then God looked over all that he had made, and it was excellent in every way. This ended the sixth day. Genesis 1:31 Rainbow Study Bible Living Bible Edition.
Kati Cekosh,Surprise AZ- But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 ESV
Brenna Marshall, Burleson, TX
“But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” Psalm 33:11, NIV.
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Eph. 4:31-32
Terri. Southaven,MS. ” We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 NIV
Tänia Weir – Lubbock, TX For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. -â€Matthew‬ â€6‬:â€21‬ NIV-
Molly, Overland Park, KS “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and our children forever, that we may do all the words of the law.” Deut 29:29 ESV
Jenny Vergara, Greenwood, IN.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
Kelly S. Clark, Hartselle, AL (So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom. (â€Psalms‬ â€90‬:â€12‬ NASB))
Jenny; Gaffney, SC “whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24 NIV
Andreea from Lake Charles, LA
“..but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise”-Isaiah 60:18b
Diana- Indianapolis – Luke 1:45 (NIV)
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:1-5
Jessica
Nacogdoches, TX
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
LeAnn in Tucson, AZ
Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times, you people;pour out your hearts to him,for God is our refuge. (NIV)
Deborah Willis, Marianna, Fl
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, (â€Isaiah‬ â€61‬:â€1‬ NIV)
Carol, Ojai, Ca
Romans 12:2 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. NIV
Tricia Simpson, Terrell Texas
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 NLT
laRhonda Apata, Marion Arkansas “so be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!” Psalms 31:24 NLT
Cherry Jones, Magee, Mississippi.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. (â€Jeremiah‬ â€29‬:â€11‬ NIV)
Lili Potenza, ponte vedra beach, fl “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1
Jamie Kneip, McMinnville, TN. “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” Ephesians 5:1(ESV)
Carla Ostrander, San Antonio, TX, “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105, HCSB
Joy Marsh, Douglasville, Ga.
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal and to kill and to destroy; I am come that they might have life and that they may have it more abundantly.
“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 39:11 NIV
Maddie Dumas, Geismar, LA
Revelation 21:5 (NIV) He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then He said “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Bree Lafferty, Surprise, AZ “See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The Lord god is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.” Isaiah 12:2 NLT
Marybeth Pettitt Connell, Wa
a favorite verse of my Mom’s who went home to Heaven on December 19th
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
“I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1 ESV
Greenwood, MS. Then God looked over all that he had made, and it was excellent in every way. This ended the sixth day. Genesis 1:31 Rainbow Study Bible Living Bible Edition.
Dorothy Waldron; Sumter, SC; “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 1 John 3:1
Jan from Newport, Oregon
John 14:1 Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. NIV
Springfield, IL ps 91:2 I will say of the Lord “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust”
Kim Peterson from Vista, CA
He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3 NIV
Whitney Shoultz, Greenville, SC- “Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.” Proverbs 31:25 (ESV)
Angela Smalley, Olive Branch, MS. “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
Amy, Seattle, WA, “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.” Luke 1:45 NASB