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.
I commit ! Renee Harris, Homerville, GA
Therefore I urge you brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Romans 12:1 NASB
I commit! Sandra from Texas Psalm 34:1 NLT
I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak His praises.
I commit! Paula Hale, Brownwood, Texas: Let your eyes look directly ahead [toward the path of moral courage] And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you [toward the path of integrity]. Proverbs 4:25 (Amp)
I commit! Sydni from Tennessee
Psalm 138:3 AMP
“On the day I called, You answered me; and You made me bold and confident with [renewed] strength in my life.”
Misti Moffat from Fayetteville, GA: “I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me.” Psalm 119:30 ESV
I commit!
Charlotte. Myrtle Beach, SC
I Commit!!
No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what He requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Christina from Fort Worth Texas
““Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?”
Job 38:2 NLT
I commit! Crystal, Livonia, Michigan
“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus”
2 Tim 2:1 HCSB
I committ! Lynlee from Leawood, Kansas
Search me O God and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:22 NIV
Janet from Richmond,Texas.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2. ESV
I commit! Misty from San Antonio,TX: For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? Romans 8:24 NIV
I commit! Brenda from Calgary, Alberta
For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
Psalm 62:1 ESV
I commit!
Michelle from the woodlands, tx
“For like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation because you have tasted that the Lord is good”. 1 peter 2:2-3
NIV
I commit!
Sandra Larranaga Bowe
Bard New Mexico
In you LORD my God,
I put my trust.
Psalm 25:1 TNIV
I commit! Madison from Des Moines, Iowa: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 NKJV
I commit! Kaye, Alabama
1st Peter 5:7 NIV
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Charlotte. Myrtle Beach,SC
I Commit!!
No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what He requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly
with your God.
Micah 6:8 NLT
I Commit, Sarah Lee, Satsuma, AL “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 NIV
I commit! Kandi from Tallahassee, FL The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Psalm 147:11 NIV
I commit! Charlotte Angles, Paducah, KY. Proverbs 16:9 NIV, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”
I commit! Lisa from Robertsdale, Alabama; “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.” James 1:1
I Commit! Ellen Roth from Bad Axe MI
Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.
2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken
Psalm 62:1-2
I commit with the help of God! Barbara from Eagle, Idaho: Proverbs 4:20-22 (HCSB)
My son, pay attention to my words;
listen closely to my sayings.
Don’t lose sight of them;
keep them within your heart.
For they are life to those who find them,
and health to one’s whole body.
I commit! Sharon Howard, Goliad, Texas: Colossians 3:1 “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.” NKJV
I commit! Karen Bartow, FL
I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world. John 16:33 The Message
I commit! Donna from Antioch, TN.. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. (KJV)
HALLELUJAH ✝✝✝
Holly Smith
College Station, TX
“But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.” Hebrews 10:39 NIV
And I commit! 🙂
I commit
Nancy from Barboursville WV
“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Psalm 96:1 NIV
I commit! Anita from Carbondale, IL.
As the deer pants for the stream of water, so my soul pants for you, O GOD. Psalm 42:1 NIV
I commit! Renea Bentley in Hendersonville, TN
Isaiah 41:10 – 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. (NIV)
I commit!Stacey Tomball,Tx Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called uncircumcised by those that call themselves the circumcision, remember that at that time you were separated from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise without hope and without God in the world. Ephesians 2:11-12 NIV
sorry my verse is found in Isaiah 54:17(KJV)
I commit! Ursula Hawkins from St. Leonard Maryland: “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.” Isaiah 40:28 NIV
I commit! Alicia Rowe from Taylorsville, Kentucky. Psalm 40:1-3, NASB “I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear and will trust in the LORD.”
I commit!! Samantha Sivils from Bude, Mississippi: “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,”
Hebrews 6:19 ESV
I commit! Amy Hill from Cherry Hill, NJ:
But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. 2 Timothy 1:12, ESV
I commit! Sara from Iowa City,Iowa
“For everything there is a season,and a time for every matter under heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV
Toni, Sicklerville, NJ. Psalm 127:1. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help. KJV
I commit! Melissa Abston from Carrollton, TX: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you,because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 ESV
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord,plans to prosper and not harm you 0lans to give you a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 kjv
I commit to memorizing. Clermont, Florida.
. Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Phillipians 2: 1-2
I commit ! Lesa, Riverside, Ca
If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:1 NASB
I commit! Angel, Brentwood, TN- “You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am.” Psalm 139:3 (The Living Bible)
I commit! Melanie Thevis, Duson, LA
For the joy set before Him he endured the cross.
Hebrews 12:2 NIV
I commit! Jen from Houston
He put a new song in my mouth,
A song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the LORD.
Psalms 40:3 ESV
I commit! Tina from Midland, Michigan: “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” Psalms 143:8 NIV
Sabrina, Kingsland, TX: “I was once in darkness, but now I am light in You, Lord. Help me to live as a child of light”- Ephesians 5:8 (NIV)
Silly me, I forgot my I commit!!!
Lesley Henry, Rockhampton, Qld, Australia: “Be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart, all Ye that hope in the Lord.” Psalm 31:24 KJV
I commit! Shannon Davidson from San Juan Capistrano, CA “Faithful and absolutely trustworthy is He who is calling you [to Himself for your salvation],and He will do it [He will fulfill His call by making you holy, guarding you, watching over you, and protecting you as His own.]” 1 Thessalonians 5:24 AMP
I commit! Heather Day beechmont ky
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you plans to give you hope amd a future Jeremiah 29:11 kjv