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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kelli N-Spokane Wa
“Create In me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10
Pam, Bolivar, MO, “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress and my deliverer, my God ,my rock , in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2 ESV
Amy Morton, Queen Creek, AZ
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (â€Psalm‬ â€18‬:â€2‬ ESV)
Lasaundra Bies, Poulsbo, WA. Romans 8:38-39 ESV
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (â€Doing two because they go together as one long sentence)
‘If you say “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.’Psalm 91:9-11 (NIV)
Paula Knowles, Montross, VA “LORD, there s no one like you! For you are great, and your name is full of power.” Jeremiah 10:6 NLT
Anne Simmons; Maple Valley, WA; “A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” Proverbs 25:28 NLT
Francine, Winnipeg Manitoba
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have[a] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Romans 5:1-5 (NKJV)
Jeannie Holt Tupelo, MS Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct[a] your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
I will cast my burden upon you Lord, and You will sustain me: you will never let me be moved. Psalm 55:22
Regena Fry, Roswell NM
“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 a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
2 Timothy 2:15 New International Version (NIV)
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Marsha Henderson Houston,Texas
Felicia, Des Moines, Iowa
The LORD of hosts has sworn:
“As I have planned,
so shall it be,
and as I have purposed,
so shall it stand.” Isaiah 14:24 ESV
Paula, Porterville, CA
The Lord God is my strength, my bravery. He will walk me through places of trouble and suffering. Habakkuk 3:19 Amplified
Jean, Franklinton, NC
For He Himself is our Peace. Eph 2:14 NIV
Elizabeth Jones, Denton, TX.
And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. Luke 9:43a‬ KJVA
Walla Walla, WA
Romans 12:2 is my anthem this year as I learn to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit without all the ‘white noise’ of religion:
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. ESV
Brenda Nashville, Tn. Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
Isaiah 55:6 NIV
Michelle, Seattle, WA 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” NLT
Sonja Jimenez, Austin, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalms 9:10 NIV
Sandra Bocek, Forest Hill, Maryland
“For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and self-control.” II Timothy 1:7
Donalee, Houston, TX
“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(NIV)
Dorothy Yang, San Diego, California. “We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.” Romans 6:6-7 NLT
CC Torres-Tapley Macon, GA “And if it is evil in your eyes ti serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15 ESV
This is to remind myself who I am striving to serve this year, more so than last year or any year before that.
Kaylyn from Coppell, TX: “I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.” Job 23:12, ESV
Kelley, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. (â€Psalms‬ â€51‬:â€10-12‬ NLT)
Kristen Ahrens, Tigard, Oregon “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.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Shannon Olson, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA
In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.
Psalm 25:1, NIV
Cindy & Avery Sugg- Maryville tn
I can do everything through him who gives me strength
Philippians 4:13
Bozeman, MT
“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” Psalm 20:4 NIV
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
For my anxiety and panic attacks
Stoutsville, OH
Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day. Ruth 3:18 KJV
Aretha Gearhart from Council Bluffs , IA.
Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with My victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10
A reminder to myself that I am never alone in anything!
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
LeeAnn Cobbs, Trenton, Texas
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 1:13 (NKJV)
Patti, Salem Oregon
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12
Patrice Swanson, Houston, TX
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:1 NASB)
Lorelei Ahrens (age 5), Tigard, Oregon “We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
Jenni Ackerman, Clayton, NC
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4 NIV
Tami, El Paso, TX But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. John 3:21 NIV
Sherri from Washington “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? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (â€Isaiah‬ â€43‬:â€18-19‬ ESV)
Glenna Broughton
Summerville,SC
Jeremiah 29:11
“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.”NIV
Lori Evilsizor, Springfield Ohio Hebrews 11:1 Now Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” NIV
Ps 112:7-8. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes. NIV
So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NKJV
“Let everything that has breath praise The Lord. Praise ye The Lord.” Ps150:6, kjv
Pati Emerick, Ozark Missouri…John 14:27 (ESV)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
1 Chronicles 17;20 ” There is no one like you, O Lord and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old is gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV