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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
San Diego, Ca
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24
Tammy Conner…Perry, GA…”But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Cor. 15: 57-58, ESV).
Debbie Cracchiolo, Waynesville, North Carolina. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NKJV
Becky Horton. Proverbs 3:13 You’re blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom,when you make friends with Madame Insight.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Tammy Clark, Gainesville FL. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. -Psalms 30:5 KJV
Janika Williams, Houston, TX. “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 NIV
Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. (â€1 Thessalonians‬ â€5‬:â€24‬ NASB)
Michelle Garcia
Eugene Oregon
Holly Cupp, Jonesboro, AR. “O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You; I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.”
Isaiah 25:1
Kara B., Longview, TX. “For sin will have no dominion over you, since youare not under law but under grace.” Romans 6:14 ESV
Ashley Sears, Wichita, KS. Psalm 5:1-2 NIV
1Â Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament.
2Â Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.
Mel Fullerton, Bellefontaine, OH
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9. NIV
i am trying to reconnect with bible studies and being closer to God
Katie from The Woodlands, TX: “You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” 1 Peter 3:4 NLT
Tobi Tate, Frankfort, KY – “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:11 NIV
Hebrews 6:19 NIV
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, Sure and secure.
Hannah from Knoxville TN. Psalm 143:1 (AMP) “HEAR MY prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, and in Your righteousness.”
Jodi Winkle, San Diego, CA. “Lord, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future.” Psalm 16:5 HCSB
Ephesians 4:32 is the first verse I am gong to memorize
From Roswell, Ga, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthen etch me.” Philippians 4:13 KJV
Sara, Milford, Ia
“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
Margaret Moore, Danville, KY
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
Romans 8:38 For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His Purpose.
Your Word have I treasured in my heart. Psalms 119:11 NASB
So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy and all unkind speech. 1 Peter 2:1 (NLT)
Tammy- Colorado Springs, CO- Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1, NIV
Columbus, Georgia
Philippians 4:8 New International Version (NIV)
8 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.
Carrie from Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
Psalm 116: 1-2 NIV
Valerie, Hudson, Ohio
O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name; for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure. Isaiah 25:1 ESV
Sharon Baxley from Bladenboro, NC: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, (â€Hebrews‬ â€12‬:â€1‬ NIV)
Megan Rogers
Memphis, TN
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (â€Hebrews‬ â€11‬:â€6‬ KJV)
Adriana Jones, Riverside, CA – Hebrews 10:36(NIV)
You need to persevere(A) so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised
Molly Koenig, Tucson, AZ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, Colossians 3:23, NIV
Prairie Village, Kansas
Pslams 28:7 “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
Debbie Sharp, Falmouth Ky. “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians‬ â€1‬:â€6‬ NLT)
Silver City, NM
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Rebekah from Loveland,CO
Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” (NKJV)
Patrice Bullister, Morgantown, WV
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Phil 10:13 NAS
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6 KJV
Pam, Apopka, Florida
By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.
Hebrews 11:27 NIV
Lindsey Goodwin, Little Rock, Arkansas, “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10, NIV
Cheryl Jensen, Circle, MT
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15.13 NKJ
Philippians 1:6 KJV “being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”
Gina Hollis, Canton, Georgia
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Hebrews 3:13, NIV
Shelly from Arlington, TX; When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need. Psalm 138:3 NLT
Caryn Brannen, Germantown, TN. “Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
Tamela Payne Winston Salem, NC Psalm 139:14 NIV
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Jacquelyn Mariott, Kaiserslautern, Germany, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:1-5 NASB
Sandy Smith, Holiday, FL. 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, 21 to him be glory in the hutch and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Janet Peterson, Sylacauga, AL: “His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3 – HCSB