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 !! Carol Marti from Canton, MI – For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
I commit!! Susan from Maynard, MA: “But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.” Psalm 59:16 – NLT
I commit! Mona Johnston, Iowa, LA – Psalm 56:3, ESV, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
I commit! Ashlee Jordan from Camp Pendleton, CA- “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.” Psalm 25:1 ESV
I commit!!! Chris Robertson from Fort Wayne,IN
To you, O Lord, I lift my soul; Psalm 25:1 NIV
I commit! Meredith Buchanan from Collierville Tn.
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles , they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 Life Application Bible NRSV
I commit! Ann Collier from Lees Summit, Mo. O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens! Psalm 8:1
I commit! Paige Barnes from Houston, Texas: “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 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.” – 2 Cor. 12:8-9 NIV
I commit! Bonnie Jackson from Lockport, Illinois: “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.” Psalm 145:18-19
NIV
Deborah Lafayette, Anton, Colorado
I commit! Psalm 84:1-2 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
I commit!Mandy Beavis from Cambridge England
“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts”
Colossians 3:16 NLT
I commit! Holly from Greensboro, NC: “Come to Me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 (NASB)
I Commit!! Cher Goeder from Toledo, OH
II Timothy 1:1-2 HCSB
“Paul, an apostle to Christ Jesus by God’s will, for the promise of life in Christ Jesus: To Timothy, my dearly loved son. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”
I commit! My verse is romans 2:4, NLT
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
I commit! Pam Green from Centreville, Virginia. When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 NIV
Carole,Kerrville, TX: “Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts. Psalm 139: 23 ESV
I commit! Jan McClellan, Georgetown Texas: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
I commit! Teresa Rodriguez from San Antonio, TX: “The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth my ear to hear as the learned.” – Isaiah 50:4 KJV
I commit! Amanda from Sherman, TX
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 KJV
I commit! Melissa, Vicksburg, MS: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Susan Sarver, St. George UT
“”Take delight in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart” Psalm 37:4 NIV
I COMMIT!! Jessica from Ponchatoula, LA
We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 NIV
Jen from Sheridan, Wyoming
I commit! But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24 NIV
I commit! Rachel Miller from Judsonia, AR. “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith. Who is it that overcomes he world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4&5 ESV
I commit! Paige from Fort Washington, MD. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
I commit! Nikki Harrison from Franklin, Tennessee: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV
Susan from Blacksburg, Virginia. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalms 23:1 KJV
I commit!!
Heather Wilkinson
Springfield, VA
They will follow the LORD; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.
Hosea 11:10 NIV
I commit! Jes Widrick from Columbia, PA – “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:4-7
forgot the version…nasb!
I commit!
Janet from Holmes Beach, FL
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,…
I Peter 1:3 NIV
I Commit! Kim from Chatham, IL:
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, PHILIPPIANS 3:10 NIV
I COMMIT!! Mary Cavalier, from Old River-Winfree, TX. “Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.” – Ephesians 3:17 NLT
I commit! Patti from Oak Ridge, TN
When I am afraid I will trust in you. Psalm 56:3 NKJV
I commit. Terri Fullerton, Abilene, TX “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith & gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” Rom 4:20-21, NIV
I commit! Bridget Jones from Vicksburg, Ms. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
-Isaiah 40:31 NLt
I commit! Karen from Greensboro, NC: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. ” Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
I commit! Lisa from Powder Springs, Georgia: “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” NASB
1 Corinthians 10:31
I commit!
Mary Beth, St. Louis MO
“O LORD, you have searched me and known me!”
Psalm 139:1 (ESV)
I commit! Katelynn from Hot Springs, AR
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
I commit! Mary Howe from Lake Charles, LA.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. Colossians 1:15 ESV
Jane from Calgary, Alberta. “Who has believed what he has heard from us?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Isaiah 53:1 (ESV)
I commit! Rhonda Green from Anderson Indiana. – because whatever has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith.
1 John 5:4. HCSB.
I commit! Jennifer Reames from El Dorado, AR -“Be gracious to me, God, according to your faithful love; according to your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion.” Psalms 51:1 HCSB
I commit!! Stacey Whitaker from Greenbrier, Ar “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.”Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
I commit! Cindy Walker from Houston, TX
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” ~ Hebrews 12:2 NIV 1984
I commit! Valerie from Sparks, Nevada
“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NAS
I commit! Robin Wickman from Eli, Nebraska- “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.” â€â€Isaiah‬ â€41:10‬ â€NIV‬‬
I commit!
Lark Reynolds, Greenville, SC. John 4:13-14: “Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who drinks this water will soon be thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.'” NLT
I committ! “Brothers (or sisters), I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind me and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by Gods heavenly call in Christ Jesus.” Phillipians 3:13-14 HCSB
I commit!
Angela Hogan from Midland, NC: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens and empowers me.” Philippians 4:13 AMP