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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brenda Powell, San Diego, California. “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” 2Peter 3:8 NIV
Allie Willis, Oakdale, LA, So do not fear for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
January 1, 2015
“For no word from God will ever fail” Luke 1:37 NIV
Melissa Sampson, Huntington WV. “I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me” Philippians 4:13 KJV
Gail Farris,Montgomery AL
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3
Psalm 25 6-7 NLB
Overlook my youthful sins, O Lord! Look at me instead through eyes of mercy and forgiveness, through eyes of everlasting love and kindness.
Donna Kilgore
Kingsport, TN
John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (NKJV)
I found you! Good verse! So excited for Katie and I to be able to do this with you!
I love you mom!
Jennifer
Colossians 3:2 ASV Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.
Betsy Kelley Moundsville WV. For I know all things work together for good, for those who love God and are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Hebrews 4:7-11Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
7 So God planned another special day. It is called “today.” He spoke about that day through David a long time later using the words we quoted before:
“If you hear God’s voice today,
don’t be stubborn.”
Sherry Trammel, Madison, MS. “…Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
Aimee Beck, Altoona, Wisconsin
3 John 4: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (NKJV)
“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
Christie-Dover,OH
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, giving thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
Cindy from Granite City, IL “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 ESV
Isaiah 40:29 NIV
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Tammy
Ingleside, TX
Kristin Giddens – Little Elm, TX – Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying “This is the way; walk in it. Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Leslie Warmanen, Tualatin, OR
John 15:4 (NIV)
Remain in me as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neather can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
Rachelle Grant, Winston Salem, NC
For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Hebrews 6:10 NKJV
Reanna, Cypress, CA — John 15:10-11 — NIV
“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
Melody Terry, Mechanicsville, MD
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
His mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13
Mary Delasantos, Castle Rock, CO, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13, NIV
Psalms 91:16 ESV. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.
I just had my 60th!
Nancy Parish, Mountain Home, AR, “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” PSALMS 46:10 NIV
Hana Qorri Banks, Waconia, MN
“Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.”
Proverbs 31:25 King James Version (KJV)
Donna Stagg, Grand Junction, CO,
For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 1 Thessalonians 1:4 NIV
Shari Kryfko, Dallas Texas: I will lift up my eyes to the hills – from whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord. Who made heaven and earth. Psalms 121:1-2 NKJV
He says, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10 NIV
Sandy Parker, Yardley, PA. “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for hy doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2 NIV
Gay Idle, Fernley, Nevada. “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be vigorous and flourishing.” Jubilee Bible 2000
Boone, NC
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
http://bible.com/116/jos.1.9.nlt
SARAH VAN DYKE TOPEKA, KS “FOR THE SPIRIT GOD GAVE US DOES NOT MAKE US TIMID, BUT GIVES US POWER, LOVE AND SELF DISCIPLINE. 2 TIMOTHY 1:7 NIV
Karen, Hot Springs Village, AR
1 Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers. Psalms 1:1-3 NIV
Linda Byrd Shelby, NC…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. (â€Isaiah‬ â€40‬:â€31‬ NIV)
Suzie Deuel. New Bern,N.C.
“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See,I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive
it?
I am making am way in the desert
And streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43: 18-19 NIV
To know wisdom and instruction, to discern the sayings of understanding
Proverbs 1:1
Susan, Fort Worth, TX
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” Isaiah 55:1 NIV
So do not fear,for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10. NIV
White Pigeon, MI
Isaiah 43:19 NLT19For 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 wastelan
Connie, Dallas, TX
Isaiah 43:19, NIV
“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.”
Jennifer Fisher, King of Prussia, PA–‘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.’ Isaiah 43:19 NTL
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Tina Conerly, Brandon, 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)
Teri Thompson Bedias, Texas
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1
Beth Jones, Alexander City, AL
“Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.” Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€18-19 MSG
Edmonton,Ab 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ,he is a new creature:
Old things are passed away;all things are become new.
Mindie Bess, Corbin, Ky
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 NIV
” So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10. NIV