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! Sue from Kalamazoo, MI My body and my mind may become weak, but God is my strength. He is mine forever. Psalm 73:26 (New Century Version)
Diana Anderson from Greenville, KY. “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.” Isaiah 43:19 New Living Translation
I commit! Marcy from Eagle Bridge, NY “For Your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt for it is great.” Psalm 25:11 (ESV)
I commit! Judy Locke from Pensacola, FL.
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.” ESV
I commit! For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10 NKJV
I commit! Laurie from Schaumburg, IL: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 ESV
I commit! Tavia from Atlanta Georgia: “So Moses cried out to the Lord, “Please, God, heal her!” Numbers 12:13 NIV
I commit! Tina from Katy, Texas
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10 NKJV
Jo , Wilmington, Oh 2 Samuel 7:28
Lord God , You are God, and I can trust what you say. And You said that these good things would happen to me Your servant. ERV
I commit! Kathy Fries from Leander, TX:
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1 ESV
I commit! Jenifer from Houston, TX: The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; Psalm 19:7 ESV
I commit! Kristie, Montgomery, TX.
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” Romans 12:9 NIV
I commit!! Ellen Viveiros, Swansea, Massachusetts
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
“He was with God in the beginning.” (John 1:1-2 NIV)
I commit!!! Allie Cave City Ar
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
Proverbs 31:25 ESV
I commit! Nancy, Fairfield, OH
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 NLT
1 John 3:1New International Version (NIV)84
How 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
I commit! Jami, Shelby, NC
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
(NIV)
I commit! Kristin from Denton, TX: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV
I commit! Amy Morton from San Tan Valley, AZ: “May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!” Psalms 20:1 ESV
I commit Juliana from Lufkin, Texas
Romans15:13 NIV
May the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace
As you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.
I commit! Jill Davidson, Watertown, WI
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 NIV
I commit! Heidi N. Stow, MA “And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. ” Ezekiel 22:30 ESV
I commit. Sandy, Radford Virginia. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Matt5.9 NIV
I commit!! Karen Hathaway from Maumelle, AR: “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'”
John 8:12 ESV
I commit! Bertrand, NE
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2 NIV
Stephanie Bankhead from Amarillo, TX: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 ESV
I commit! 🙂
I commit!
Linda from Holts Summit, MO
Philemon 1:1 NIV
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker.
I commit! Jan, Cleburne, TX
I commit. Carol Goodlettsville, TN
Exodus 22:28 You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people. NKJ
I commit! Meredith from Battle Creek, Mi
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 NIV
I commit!
Stacy from Sewell, NJ “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” Luke 6:27 NIV
I commit! Julie Salva from Mt. Juliet, TN: “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7 NLT
I commit! Hannah,Knoxville,Tn. “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:3 NIV
I commit!!! Veronica from nashville,Tn
Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in troubles, and prayerful always. Romans 12:12(living bible)
I Commit! Teri Wymore, Millington, TN
In you, Lord my God,
I put my trust.
Psalm 25:1 (NIV)
I commit – Deuteronomy 6:1 (NASB)- Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the judgements which the Lord your God has commanded me to teach you, that you might do them in the land where you are going over to possess it,
Claire Hanssen from Lexington, KY
I commit! Donna Atlanta, ga
My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. Psalm 49:3 ESV
I commit!
Melanie Toups
Bridge City, TX
I commit!
Melanie Toups
Bridge City, TX
For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him. –Colossians 1:16 NASB
I commit!!! Kelly Temple from Atlanta, GA. “Commit everything you do to the lord. Trust him, and he will help you.” Psalm 37:5 NLT
I commit! Kathy leesville,la. Create in me a clean heart,O God,and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NKJV
I commit!
Cookie from Orlando, Florida.
“I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2 (NIV)
I commit!! Judy, Oswego, NY: Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 ESV
I committ! Lo, children are a heritage of Jehovah; And the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, So are the children of youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: They shall not be put to shame, When they speak with their enemies in the gate.
Psalms 127:3-5 ASV
http://bible.com/12/psa.127.3-5.ASV
I commit. Verse 1: God is within her, she will not fail;God will help her at break of day.
Wendy G. Sulphur, La
Kerry Pedigo, Nederland TX
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalms 119:11 NIV
Sorry- “I commit!”!!
I commit! Michelle from Richmond Hill, GA: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:26 NIV
I commit! Missy McCoskey from Laddonia, Missouri: “34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34 NIV
Sally from Sturgis, MI
‘You are my servant.’
For I have chosen you
and will not throw you away.
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 41:9b-10 (NLT)
I commit! Salinda from Corpus Christi,Texas: “Don’t copy the behavior & customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good & pleasing & perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT
I COMMIT!!!!! Jill Goodlettsville TN
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Rom 12:12 NIV