Hey, Everybody! Drumroll please! Welcome to the 2017 Siesta Scripture Memory Team! The entry of your Verse 1 selection acts as your registration. Please read this brief post before you leave your comment so you’ll know exactly how to do it. We are not legalistic about much around here but I am a drill sergeant about the precise way we accept comments for SSMT verse entries. One perusal through the first several hundred comments and you’ll understand why. It’s such a powerful sight you will almost want to cry. Or shout. Or throw your head back and howl your loudest hallelujah. It just all depends on how you process a fresh glimpse of divine revelation. You’ll have before you a feast spread out lavishly on a huge banqueting table.  Keeping the comments to the bare minimum makes Scripture itself stand out on the page. If we add a lot of other verbiage to the comment, the verse is more likely to get lost in it.
Not only will your soul be fed by the entries of others, you’ll discover verses you didn’t even know existed and get ideas for future selections. Any time you can’t decide what verse to memorize, jump on the comments and see what resonates with you. Any time you feel bone-dry or downcast or distracted or discouraged or just plain directionless, open up the comments on any SSMT post and behold the words of the Lord. It’s so powerful I could slap my desk thinking about it.
OK, this is how the information should appear in your comment:
Name (first is fine), city: verse, reference, Bible translation.
(Don’t forget your translation! People love knowing exactly which translation your selection came from.)
So you’ll have a paradigm for how it looks, here is my entry for Verse 1 and you’ll see at the end of the post where I made a slight little addition to add some soul-deep conviction if you wish:
Beth Moore from Houston Texas: “Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved fellow worker.” Philemon 1 ESV
You get to choose your own verse according to what you need most right now, what resonates with you in your present circumstances or what God just simply seems to land you on. This year I feel like He’s leading me to use my 24 entries to memorize the one-chapter book of Philemon. It contains 25 verses but the last one is easy so I’ll throw it in with my 24th verse as my final entry. I’ve done stacks of spirals full of unrelated Scriptures for my memory work in previous years. Other times I’ve done several different chunks or one solid chapter. There is no wrong way to do it. It just all depends on what the Holy Spirit seems to be energizing us to do. If something about chipping away at one chapter through the course of the year rings your bell, you are so welcome to join me or you can look through the Scriptures and choose a different chapter of similar length. I so loved memorizing Psalm 25 several years ago. I recited it as recently as yesterday. It has 22 verses ready to go if you’d like to consider it. You’d only need to tag on 2 separate verses after you memorized the psalm to fulfill your 24-verse goal. Jude is another one-chapter book I memorized. It contains 25 verses but I will warn you in advance, take that one on only if you like a challenge. It is pretty wordy.
Let’s just add two little words this time to the front of the entry of our first verse: I commit! And go right ahead and add that exclamation mark at the end of it for the sake of some very appropriate enthusiasm. What you’re about to do bears FRUIT. God’s Word does not return empty. He sends it forth with accomplishing power and divine purpose. That’s worth anticipating with excitement. (In fact, Isaiah 55:11 is a fabulous Scripture to memorize if you’re still searching for a great launch verse.) I think we ought to add those two little words because I keep reading how allergic we’re growing culturally to making commitments of almost any kind. I’m sure you’ve read the same thing. But here’s the deal. We will never be mighty servants of Jesus Christ, alive and awake in the Holy Spirit, bringing glory to God the Father all while standing against evil rulers, powers and principalities without commitment.
Ain’t happenin’.
Nothing was tentative to those early New Testament believers about following Jesus. They didn’t fulfill their callings by being scared of commitment. They gave Him their lives. They bore His name. They testified to the death. Let’s do this thing, Sisters. Let’s do it deliberately. We’re not destined to be weak-willed women. We’re called to be stunningly strong willed about God’s will. So, here’s my official entry for verse 1 of the Siesta Scripture Memory Team challenge of 2017!
I commit! Beth Moore from Houston Texas: “Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved fellow worker.” Philemon 1 ESV
Your turn, sisters! Try to make each of your entries within 24-48 hours after the posts go up around the 1st and the 15th of each month. Also remember not to worry if you don’t see your comment posted for a day or so. Wait a while before you post the same verse a second time. We moderate all comments to filter through spam and trash and general nastiness so the process can take a little time. Here we go! I’m beside myself with joy. Thank you for the privilege to store up the very words of God with you. They are life and breath to us. Iron in our blood. Steel in our bones. So much love to you.
Angela from Jackson, TN
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.
I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus,a who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 1:1 NLT
I Commit! AnnaMarie Lohr from Pittsburgh, PA. “Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded” declares the Lord. “They will return from the land of the enemy. So there is hope for your descendents,” declares the Lord. “Your children will return to their own land.” Jeremiah 31:16-17 NIV
I commit! Amy7634 from the Midwest:
“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
Matthew 21:22 (ESV)
I commit! Julie Foster from Niceville, Florida.
“If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Genesis 4:7 NKJ
I Commit! Jessica Stewart, Benton, Ar: “Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 ESV
I commit!
Allyson from League City TX
“Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.” Psalm 86:1 ESV
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shelter of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1, NIV
Kristin Mitchell from Dunmor, Kentucky
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John1:1
English Standard Version (ESV)
I commit!
I commit! Teresa from Waynesboro, PA
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Gina Demangos San Diego CA
And they cried out to the Lord in their trouble: He saved them out of their distresses.
Psalm 107:19 NOB
I Commit! Jayne from Frisco, TX
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker.
Philemon 1 NASB
I commit! Patty Konarski from Webster, MA I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices. My flesh also will dwell securely. Psalm 16:8-9, NASB
I commit! Linda Smith from Little Rock, AR: “Come let us return to the Lord for He has torn us, but He will heal us. He has wounded us, but He will bandage us.” Hosea 6:1 NASB
Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Bobbie Jo- San Angelo, TX
“The Lord’s love never ends;
His mercies never stop. ” Lamentations 3:22(NCV)
I commit! Julie from Amarillo, Texas
“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. ”
Luke 6:40 HCSB
I commit! Nancy from Chattanooga, TN
“As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”
James 5:11 NIV
Glenda Willard from Farmington, New Mexico. Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3 NKJV
I had another picked out and saw Elizabeth’s post and decided this one is perfect for starting out the New Year.
Isaiah 43: 18-19a
Forget the former things;
Do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing.
Elizabeth Johnston
Dallas, TX
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
James 1:5 (ESV)
I commit! Carolyn from Wheaton, IL
“Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.”
Isaiah 60:1 NKJV
Beth Beflower
Caddo Mills, Texas
Isaiah 43:2 English Standard Version (ESV)
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
I commit! Debbie Dallas Tx. Philippians 4:13
13 For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength. NLT
I commit! Connie Hirschy, Chariton, Iowa 2 Timothy 1:4 Remembering your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. HCS
I commit!!! Meggie JOY from Calgary Alberta Canada:
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, be thankful/give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV/ESV/NLT
I commit, Sherry from The Jersey Shore Ocean County
Ephesians 1:4-5. NLT
Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. He decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us through JesusChrist. This is what He wanted to do and it gave Him great pleasure.
¶
Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You. John 17:1 NASB
I Commit!!
Jennifer from Lomita California : “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be self controlled, set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:13 NASB
I commit! Laura Larkin from Fuquay Varina, NC: “My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.” Proverbs 4:20-22 NLT
I commit! Christi from Gilbert, AZ. The Lord is my shepard, I have all that I need. 23:1 NLT
I, Krista Jonker from Waterloo, Ontario COMMIT!
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! NLT
Deena from Colleyville, TX
Do not let your adorning be external— the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. – 1 Peter 3:3-4 ESV
I commit! Donna Keller from Krugerville, Texas. I Timothy 2:1-2 NKJV
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercession, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
I commit!
Dori, Meridian, Idaho:
Philippians 1:20
My eager hope and expectation is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all BOLDNESS, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
I, Krista Jonker from Waterloo, Ontario COMMIT!
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5: 17 NLT
I commit! Deborah Flora ~ Sawyer, KS
Therefore my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV
Anastasia,presently San Antonio, Texas: “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”,Colossians 3:2 ESV
I Commit!! Susan Kirby from Houston,Texas ” I will bless the LORD at all times;his praise shall continually been my mouth” Psalm 34:1 ESV
I commit! Cathy Churm, Bend, OR
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
I commit! Jami Johnson from Ponchatoula Louisiana 15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. Ephesians 1:15-16 NIV
I committ! Theresa from Dallas,TX
“O Lord, I give my life to you” Psalm 25:1 (NLT)
I commit! Tammy Causey, Humboldt, TN
THEREFORE LET US APPROACH THE THRONE OF GRACE WITH BOLDNESS, SO WE MAY RECEIVE MERCY AND FIND GRACE TO HELP US AT THE PROPER TIME. Heb. 4:16 HCSB
I commit!Marie Franse from
Albuquerque, NM.: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my dear son: Grace mercy and peace from God the father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Timothy 1:1-2 (NIV)
I commit! Brandee Carter from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
“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
I commit! Tammy Shaw from Clark, MO: “Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.” Psalm 104:1 KJV
I commit! Julie from Irving, Texas: “To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul” Psalm 25:1 NIV
I will stand on my guard post and station myself on the rampart; and I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.
I forgot the reference. Habakkuk 2:1 NIV
Traci Williams, Santa Clarita, CA: I commit!
In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.
Psalm 25:1, NIV
Carol from Round Rock, TX
I commit!
“Therefore, my dear sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58, HCSB
Jennifer Tricarico from Fairfax Virginia: I commit! He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 ESV