***NOTE: If you are looking to register your verse 1, go ahead and comment with your selected Scripture on the “SSMT 2017: Verse 1!” post.***
Hey Everybody!
We are revving up around here for SSMT 2017! The Scripture memory team we host and support every other year is the most extensive thing we do around here on the LPM blog, so you can know that you are the size of an Airbus on our ministry radar right now. 
We are elated about the year we have ahead and believe with all our hearts that God finds tremendous delight in this group of diverse women banding together to memorize His Word. Here is everything you need to know about how to participate in the 2017 Siesta Scripture Memory Team! Please be sure you make it all the way to the bottom of the post where you’ll find the information about our matching spirals.
First, a few things up front since many people joining us have no previous interaction here:
*For you new-comers, an explanation of the name is in order. “Siesta” is just an endearment for “Sister.” There’s no club to join and no person you need to become. If you’ve trusted Jesus as your personal Savior, you’re a sister in Christ. If you don’t know Him, we’d love for you to stick around and get to know us and see if anything around here draws you. Everyone is welcome. Here’s a bit of our back-story on the weird name: When we first began the blog, it never occurred to any of us how much we’d come to love each other. As the community grew closer and closer and the participants more and more familiar with one another, one of you asked what name we should call each another. I tried to say, “I’ll tell you what we are: We’re sistahs!” but spell-check switched it to “siestas.” It stuck and that’s been us ever since. We even liked the thought that its actual meaning is to take a nap. We’ll know we’ve been a place of divine intervention if we’re a respite from the female competition and clatter out there. Only Jesus can give us that kind of relief in this exhausting culture.
*We call this a Scripture memory “team” because that’s exactly what we are. We cheer each other on, hold each other accountable, and urge one another to make it to the goal – 24 verses systematically memorized in 12 months – through a process that requires significant practice.
*Very often you will see me refer to SSMT. Just so nobody’s confused from the start, that is an abbreviation for “Siesta Scripture Memory Team.” If you’re not participating in SSMT, please know that we don’t limit the entire blog to our Scripture memory participants. It has a big presence on here because it’s twice a month but we still do lots of other things. Please don’t feel left out or forgotten.
*Why 24 verses? In previous years, we’ve found this to be a very doable pace: 1 verse every 2 weeks. If you do much more, you’ll tend to fall behind and not retain. If you do much less, the impact is negligible. You really can do this. So many of you will surprise yourselves with what you’re capable of doing in the power of the Spirit. Yes, it takes work but it’s tremendously fulfilling and the results are nearly immeasurable. Look at it this way: we’re going to be meditating on something: unforgiveness, toxic memories, misery, lust, greed, dissatisfaction, jealousy, competition. Let’s choose Scripture instead! Christ Himself said as a man thinks, so is he. He also said His words are spirit and life. This is work worth doing, Beloved. Never – NOT ONCE – have I ever known anyone to get to the end of a Scripture memory commitment and say that it didn’t make any real difference. Not a single time.
OK, NOW FOR THE INSTRUCTIONS. You can cut and paste these somewhere if necessary. Here’s how it will go:
2 Options for you!
1. Print your SSMT 2017 cover from home.
(I took this picture with my phone standing on the shore of Galveston Bay, mesmerized by that sky. You can find a lot prettier beaches but I’m not sure our wide-open Texas sunsets can easily be surpassed.)
There are two sizes to choose between for your spirals. Click on the size cover you would like to print for yourself then adhere it using any of the methods we suggested. You can certainly use regular printer paper but cardstock works perfectly:
2. Or, Order the spiral from LPM.
Our Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2017 Celebration will be in January 2018. I’m telling you about it now so that you can have it for a little extra incentive. Our main incentive is the will and good pleasure of God, of course, but He Himself authored great celebrations in His Name so feel free to be excited at the thought. Also, I want you to have plenty of time to start saving your money for your transportation and hotel. We do not charge for the event. Your entrance fee is your well-used spiral. More information still to come.
Whew! Have I exhausted you?? I’ve worn myself out. We just want to answer as many of your questions up front as possible.
I want to say something to you before I wrap up this diatribe: this community means something to me. I love it because I love you. I think about you on an ongoing basis. So does my staff. You are a huge part of this ministry. Thank you for the privilege to serve you and to embark on another wild journey with you. May Christ find such delight here that He astonishes us with His presence, favor, and power.
So, welcome to Siestaville: women walking alongside women on our way Home, stirring up excitement toward that great day. SSMT is one way we do that. AND IT’S A WHOPPER. Let’s do it, Sisters, starting this coming January 1st! I’ll talk to you again about other things before then but I don’t want the New Year to take you by surprise.
I love you.
Beth
Patrice, Crestwood KY
I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NIV
Cindy from Franklin TN. “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.”
â€â€Romans‬ â€12:9‬ â€NKJV‬‬
I commit! Glynna Penney from Plainview, Tx:
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
James 1:19-20 NIV
Julie Rainey from Tallahassee, Florida: Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness. Titus 1:1 NASB
Rebecca from Lubbock, TX
“A patient person shows great understanding, but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.”
Proverbs 14:29, HCSB
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
I commit! Sharon, Riverside, Ca.
But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul.
Joshua 22:5 NIV
Stephanie Aasness–Evansville, MN
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14
I commit!! Laurie in Leander, Texas. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25-26
I commit. Alisa Glover from Phenix City, Alabama
‘When am afraid I will trust in You. Psalm 56:3 NLT
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5,6 Terri Williams, Austin, TX
Ansley from Franklin, Tennessee.
“But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.”
Psalms 3:3 NKJV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here.
2 Corinthians 17 NIV
Tara Phillips, Purcell,OK– psalm 118:14 The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. I commit!
Beth from Engadine, Michigan “Let us then approach GodĘĽs throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My Name, He may give it you. John 15:16 KJV
I commit! Alexia- Champaign, IL.
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
Hebrews 10:24 NLT
I commit!
“Scarcely had I passed them when I found the one my heart loves. I held him and would not let him go till I had brought him to my mother’s house, to the room of the one who conceived me.”
Song of Solomon 3:4 NIV
Proverbs 31:25-26 “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”
Shana Purnell Lubbock Texas “Create in me a clean heart, Oh God and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 NIV
Debi from Lumberton, NJ.
But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33.
Stephanie from Church Hill TN,
Finally, brothers, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Phil. 4:8 King James 2000 Bible
Lori Senter from San Antonio: “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3 NIV
I commit! Starting with my favorite verse!
Genesis 50:20
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives”
I commit! Alyssa Porter from Oklahoma City, OK. “Have mercy on me, O
God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my inquity and cleanse me from my sin!”
Psalm 51:1-2 ESV
Lindi Bridges from Odessa, TX
“I love you, O Lord, my strength.”
â€â€Psalms‬ â€18:1ESV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV
I commit! Amy- Charleston, SC
“And I will give to you and your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.” Genesis 17:8
Becky from Pensacola,FL…Psalm 13:5-6(NIV) But I will trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me.
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
Psalms 56:3 ESV
Jennifer Wellesley from Neosho, Missouri
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us
Ephesians 3:20
NKJV
I commit! Katie from Langley, BC: “…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10: 22-23 NIV
Andrea Reese Cordova, TN
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NASB)
Suzie Kyler from Mesa, Arizona
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Galatians 5:13 NIV
Psalm 90:12English Standard Version (ESV)
12 So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.
From Granby Missouri
For everyone who ask receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks the door will be open. Matthew 7:8 HCSB
Jan. 1, 2017 6:32 pm
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 KJV
I commit! Tami from Boulder, CO, “Whenever you shepherd, know the faces of your sheep, and set your heart upon your flock.” Proverbs 27:23 Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Mary Hooker from Adams, NY
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 ESV
I Commit!!!
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2 (NIV)
Ashley Dill, Dripping Springs, TX
I commit! Jeanette from Springfield, OH: LORD, you are my God, I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1 NIV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Kathy McLoughlin from Richmond Texas
“For it is by grace you have been saved, -through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9. NIV
I commit! Ä’rika from Mechanicsville, VA.
Then He said to them all, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. Luke 9:23 HCSB
Terrie Cash, Pensacola, Fl.~~Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)
The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
â€â€Hebrews‬ â€10:24-25‬ â€ESV‬‬
http://bible.com/59/heb.10.24-25.esv
This is the first verse I will memorize for 2017.
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”
NKJV
Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord. Ps 27:14 NAS
“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
“Commit to the LORD whatever you do,and he will establish your plans.”
Proverbs 16:3 NIV