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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Allie McGuire Lagrange, GA
I AM He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you….I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. – Isaiah 46:4,9
Jill Kuykendall, Kyle TX
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB
New Smyrna Beach FL, Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Philippians 4:8 NIV
Robin Greenwood,IN
Hebrews 4:16 KJV
Let us therefore come boldly
unto the throne of grace, that we
may obtain mercy, and find grace to
to help in time of need.
Jill, Carmel, IN, “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.” Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Danean, Sherwood, Oregon
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him”
James 1:5. NKJV
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews11:1
Dionysica, Chesterfield, Virginia, My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
John 13:14: Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should also wash one another’s feet. NIV
Karyn Braaten, Redmond Oregon. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” Isaiah 43:18 NIV
Sharon Durrence
Glennville, GA
Hebrews 6:19 NIV
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, Sure and secure.
Dee Partin Amarillo, TX I am the true vine, and my Father is the Gardener. John 15:1
Cherie – Pocatello, ID
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8, NIV)
Christine, Bozeman, MT. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence 2 Peter 1:3 ESV
Polly, New Port Richey FL, “Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own understanding” proverbs 3:5
Traci McNally, Evansdale, Iowa
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall note live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”
Matthew 4:4 NIV
Joelle from Houston, TX: Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV) “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Vanessa Willis, Oakdale, LA
Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. Genesis 22:8 NIV
Janet Worthy, Odessa, TX
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15: 56-57 ESV
from Lincoln, Nebraska. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:18-19 ESV
Tiffany Downs, Warner Robins, GA, “Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” Joshua 21:45 NIV
Stephanie K. Adams, Concord, North Carolina: “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”
Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV
I look up to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let you be defeated. He who guards Israel never sleeps. He who guards Isreal never rests or sleeps. The LORD gaurds you. The shade that protects you from the sun. The sun cannot hurt you during the day, and the moon cannot hurt you at night. The LORD will protect you from all dangers; he will guard your life. The LORD will gaurd you as you come and go, both now and forever. Psalm 121: 1-8.
Tina, Glade Spring, VA. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12.
Dionysica, Chesterfield, Virginia, My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. New Living Translation
Dawn Moore Conway, AR; Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 ESV
Angela King, North Canton, Ohio “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:12-13, NIV
Claudia Wadzinski, Franklin, TN.”I will never lay aside your laws, for you have used them to restore my joy and health.” Psalm 119:93 TLB
Cami Brocksmith Palm Coast, Florida
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.
Chrissy, Oswego, IL: “My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.” Psalm 119:81 ESV
Beryl Cox , Las Vegas,NV
Job 42:2 ESV
“I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.”
Kelly Elliott, Jackson, TN.
2 Corinthians 12:9 – 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. (ESV)
Angela Taylor, Fort Worth TX “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord” Hebrews 12:14 NIV
DC Rusert, Midland, Texas.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your way acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and shun evill. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
Proverbs 3:5-8 NIV
Accalia, Nashville, TN
“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
Heather Wilson, League City, Tx ,
“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.â Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
“For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God.” 1 Peter 1:23
Starting off the new year with:
Jeremiah 29:11(Niv)
For I know the plans I have you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you plans to give you hope and a future.
Diane Norris, Colorado Springs,CO
“Oh,taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Psalm 34:8 (ESV)
‘Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.’ ~Psalm 51:10
Angie Cosner, Bedford, Indiana “”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 the perfect will.”
Romans 12:2
Amanda Ortega, Grover Beach California
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Mark 11:24 NIV
Beth Mc, Marietta GA
Isaiah 43:18-19 NASB, âDo not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”
Annemarie Rietkerk, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands (Holland).
Romeinen 8:1-2 NBG (Romans 8:1-2)
Dus wie in Christus Jezus zijn, worden niet veroordeeld. De wet van de Geest die in Christus Jezus leven brengt, heeft u bevrijd van de wet van de zonde en de dood.
Amanda–Genoa City, Wi
Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” NIV
Philipians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything but in evry situation, by prayer and petition with Thanks giving present your request to God.
And the peace of God which trascends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus
Janet, Houston, Texas 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. Rom 15:13 NIV
So many great scriptures! I like yours – hope is good!
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11 NIV
Jillian, Georgetown, Texas, y’all! “Blessed is she who believed the Lord would fulfill his promises to her.” Luke 1:45 NIV
Olive Branch, MS “And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus”. Phil.4:19 NAS