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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Donna Galle
Clovis, CA
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22 (HCSB)
Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. New living translation
Samantha, Winter Haven,FL
Isaiah 43:19 NLT
For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and FOREVER.
Ezekiel 36:26
ESV
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove
the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Meghan C. Sisters, oregon. “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
I think this verse is very appropriate for today, New Year’s Day!! May all of you have a happy and blessed new year!!
Jeremiah 29:11New International Version (NIV)
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.
Michelle, in Hart, MI, I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth Psalms 34:1, NASB
Misty Capps, Maryville, TN.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Sue Rowland, Dublin, Ireland
1 John 3:1. See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God.! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.
“He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good.” Isaiah 7:15 ESV
Tammie Gonzalez, Woodinville, WA
“Do not be afraid, for I have bought you and made you free. I have called you by name and you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1
Jana, Missouri
“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.”
JEREMIAH 29 : 11 NIV
Isaiah41:10 ESV
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for it am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand
Isaiah41:10
Excited to join SSM and memorize with you.
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. 2peter 1:3
Roxanne Knott, Houston, TX
“The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8 (NLT)
Joni Woodward, Port Neches, Texas. “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! “ Ps. 119:11-12, ESV
Celeste Inman, San Antonio, TX “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV
Kelly Ganster Florence KY “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new is come!” II Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Becca Chambless, Frisco, TX. “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” Titus 2: 11-12 ESV
Jennifer Maynard, Houston, TX: But you remain the same, and your years will never end. Psalm 102:27
“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.” Romans 12:2 ESV
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (â€2 Corinthians‬ â€5‬:â€17‬ NIV)
Isaiah 41:13 ESV
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
Teri Ploski, Tucson, AZ (already posted once, but on the other blog) James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. (NASB)
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. — Isaiah 43:2 NLT
Mary Nelle Sprague, Chattanooga, TN
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I’m making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19 NIV
(Sorry I did it wrong the first time! Newbie here)
Margaret Pearman, Paramaribo, Suriname
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation Psalm 62:1 ESV
LaTempis M.,Rural Hall, NC. “But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage! I Am! Stop being afraid!” Matthew 14:27(AMP)
Susan Turner, Shelby, NC.
“I keep my eyes always on The Lord. With him at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.” Psalms 16:8 NIV
Erin Castillo, Atlanta GA, Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in a person’s heart,but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”, NIV
Elizabeth Pannell. Buford, GA
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
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. (â€2 Corinthians‬ â€12‬:â€9‬ NIV)
Cindy Senkerik, Tucson, AZ:
“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
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5 NIV
Cathy Jones, Hickory, NC. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” 1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV
Ruth Cole, Shreveport LA. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8 ESV
The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed. Psalm 41:3 NKJV
Hebrews 12:1-2
Karen Sumersille, Sparks, NV
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Thanks for the opportunity to worship with you
on a daily basis
Melissa Kirkpatrick, Albion, IN: “See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before me.” Isaiah 49:16 NKJV
“I sought he Lord, who answered me,
Delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 34:5 (NAB)
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.
Becky Querreveld, Sarasota, 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
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NIV
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says The Lord. “Plans for good, not disaster. To give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Katrina, West Kelowna,BC, Canada “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” NIV