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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Debbie Hernandez, Humble, TX, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14
I have mastered my first scripture and now have my second scripture chosen. WOOHOO…by the grace of God.
“For I know that plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Germantown, WI – Psalm 84:2 (NIV) My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God.
Charleston, WV
I love you, oh Lord, my strength.
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 18:1-2. ESV
Tammy Kisker, Platte City MO
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4 ESV
Elizabeth Cagle Star, NC
“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)
Connie – Senatobia, MS
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is the Rock Eternal. Isaiah 26:4 NIV
Joyce, Stigler, OK Behold what matter of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God! 1 John 3:1 NKJV
Lagos, Nigeria
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins Matthew 1:21 KJV
Kelli Gatewood, Avon, Indiana. “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
“Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:10-12
San Clemente, CA
Romans 12:10, “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” NLT
Shawna B Capitol Heights, MD “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” James 4:8 KJV
Kaysie Hosiner, Waxahachie, Texas. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 ESV
Amy Hopkins from Caddo Mills, TX –
Romans 15:13
New Living Translation
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Hold on to your seat sister! This scripture rocked my world and transformed my life last year and will continue to produce fruit as long as I breathe. You will have hope in yours and others circumstance where hope has diminished. You will point many to Christ by the hope that overflows in your life!
Ginger Forer,Leesville,LA “Be still, and know that I am God:I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalms 46:10 kjv
Elizabeth Martindale, Nashville, AR
And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. 1 Ch 29:13 ESV
Kimberly, Houston, TX
He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the Eagles. (Psalm 103:5)TLB
Darby Von Gunten, Longmont, CO
Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Don’t be afraid for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged for I am your God. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Lisa Tapio, Long Beach WA, “Consider it all joy, my brethren when you encounter various trials,” James 1:2 NASB
Michelle Dunmire, Garner, NC
Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands. Isaiah 49:15-16a (NASB)
I think I may have posted before, but I was at the hospital with my dad, who was in ICU. Those were crazy days, and I wanted to be sure I got in on time! Thanks!
Sara DeMoss, Cleveland OH. Psalms 31:1 “In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me!” ESV
Keely, Denton TX
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.(Romans 8:1)ESV
Laura DeMoss, Cleveland, OH; Exodus 14:14 “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” NIV
Pamela Guins, Taylorsville, NC: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”. 2 Timothy 3:16 KJV
Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. NIV Cleveland OH
Jennifer Hart, Tyler, Texas
Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.
Joshua 1:9 MSG
Psalm 18:32
It is God who arms me with strength and make my way perfect.
NIV
Darla, Roy, WA – 2 Corinthians 1:2 (NLT): May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Leann, Southaven, MS
The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26, NIV
Janey Palmer, Naples, Florida. “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Sonship.” Romans 8:15 NIV
Auli’i VanBoskerck, Las Vegas, NV
Colossians 3:16 NASB
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Laura, Bremerton, WA
“Create in me a clean heart, o God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of my salvation and uphold me by your generous Spirit.” NKJV
Erin Markey, Houston, TX: “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”- Matthew 10:39 ESV
Sean Horton, Bellingham, WA – 2 Cor 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.”
Karen, Chester, VA
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” Psalm 139:23
ESV
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:1 NIV
Glenda Honeycutt, Harrison, Arkansas
Due to recent diagnosis of fibromaylia, I’m trusting his word for healing…
“‘I will give you back your health and heal your wounds,’ says the Lord.” Jeremiah 30:17a NLT
Kristi Sullins, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Isaiah 43:1 (NLT)
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are MINE.
Dianne Green, Jackson, TN, For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Col 2:5 ESV
My name is Rebekah George from Bremerton, WA.
1John 1:1
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life– ESV
John 17:21-22
That they may all be one as you, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they may also be One in Us – that the world may believe You (God) have sent Me (Jesus). KJV
Megan Nadalet, Redlands, California
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth”
1 John 3:18
Mary Ellen Vaughn from Jackson, TN
“Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy!” Psalm 47:1
Sharon Bellenger, from Zwa Zulu Natal, South Africa
Proverbs 3 v 5&6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.
Brenda Zabriskie, Salt Lake City, Utah
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a New Creation; old things have
passed away; behold all things have become NEW”!
Stephanie, Queen City, TX
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 (NKJV)
Hebrews 13:8
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever.”
-to help me hold steadfast against autoimmune disease
I also have an autoimmune disease that has caused stage 3 kidney disease as well. My initial treatment included prednisone and chemo. But the whole thing my faith has grown stronger! I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know you are not alone in this. Praying for you! God is good, ALL the time!
Celeste Putman, Oak Grove, LA “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, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20,21 NKJV