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! Joanna from Roswell, GA: 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!
Bonnie from Bellaire, TX, ‘My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Psalm 27:8. NIV84
I commit! Betsy from Greenfield, IN 2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control. Revised Standard Version
I commit! Jamie, Holly Springs, NC
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
Edna-San Angelo, TX.
Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6 ASV
http://bible.com/12/pro.22.6.ASV
I commit! Teresa Scarce If we confess our sins,He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 NKJV
I commit, Janice, Virginia Beach, VA.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.Psalm 51: 1 (NIV)
I commit, Janice, Virginia Beach, VA.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.Psalm 51: 1 (NIV)
Reply
I commit! Lisa from Hutchins Texas: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10 NIV
I commit! Kristen Keeling from Covington, Ga
“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge it’s rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” Proverbs 24:3-4 (NIV)
I commit! Kelley Jackson Missouri
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
I commit! Jan, Cleburne, TX
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
Karla K, Broomfield, CO, I commit! “On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your works I will meditate.” Psalm 145:5 ESV
I commit! Pam, Lafayette, LA: “Finally my brothers be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” NKJV
I commit! Kristen, Houston TX “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV
I commit! Jen, San Antonio, Psalm 25:1 “In You, Lord my God, I place my trust.”. NIV
I commit! Linda from Lattimore, NC
“Look, I’ve written your names on the backs of my hands. The walls you’re building are never out of my sight.” Isaiah 49:16, The Message
Joan from Richmond, VA “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
â€â€John‬ â€1:1‬ â€NIV‬‬
Hey, Joan! I’m just south of you in Chester.
I commit! Shannon Hoots from Greensboro, NC. “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. I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.” 2 Timothy 1:1-3 NIV84
I commit! Deb from Windsor, CT:
“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of faith.” – Hebrews 12:1-2, NIV
I commit!
Nikki from Russellville, TN:
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8
I commit! Susan, Wynne
10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth
And making it bear and sprout,
And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:10-11 (NASB)
I commit. Tyra. Columbus, Ohio
“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.” Romans 12:1
I commit! Marlena Cantrell from Maylene, Alabama
“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.” Psalm 25:1-2‬ â€ESV‬‬
I commit! Judy Woodward from Lake Charles, LA
“Search me O God, and know my heart. Try me and know
my thoughts.” Psalm 139:23 (ESV)
Angela Cantrell from Benbrook, TX
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13 (KJV)
I commit!
Pat, Crawfordsville, IN
“But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” Psalm 73:28 (NIV 1984)
“A shrewd person conceals knowledge but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.”
Proverbs 12:23 HCSB
I commit! Allison from Albany, GA: “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37, NIV
I commit! Pamela, Steinbach, MB, Canada.
“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 (NLT)
I commit! Becky Burns, Beaverton OR:
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” Romans 8:1 NIV
I commit! Phoebe Cunningham from Tucson Arizona: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 ESV
I commit! Alyssa Lexington, Kentucky
At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;”
Matthew 11:25 ESV
I commit! Heather from Lansing MI! He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. Psalm 40:2 (ESV)
I commit!! Sarah Hall from Bristol, VA – “As the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My word that goes from My mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Isaiah 55:10-11 NIV
(I think I will split the two verses up and do one verse for one week and then the next for a week! 🙂
I commit! Cassidy Roach, Oklahoma City, OK “How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.”
â€â€Proverbs‬ â€16:16‬ â€ESV‬‬
Carlye Schmickle Isaiah 43. The Message
I commit!
Tessa Pierce Nacogdoches TX
Isaiah 55:11 ESV
..so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
I commit! Sierra from Kansas City: “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Psalm 119:18 ESV
I commit! Denise Christian from Reliance, VA
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
Psalms 25:1 NKJV
I commit! Gina, Canton, Georgia: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 1, NIV
I commit! Mary Ann, Magnolia, TX
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
I commit!
Tammy from LaGrange GA
“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.”
Isaiah 65:24 NIV
I commit! Joan from Portage, MI
“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.”
Psalms 62:5â€-‬6 ESV
I commit! Cheryl Rucker from Knoxville , TN MATTHEW 5:3 CEB. Happy are the people who are hopeless , because the kingdom of heaven is theirs .
I commit! Verna from Berea KY. 7 I will praise the Lord who counsels me,
Even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord
With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16: 7,8
I commit!! Keri Barrett from Madisonville, TX
“Be strong and courageous. Do no be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
I Commit! Andrea Sellers, Round Rock, TX. Love never gives up, loves cares more for others than for self, love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have, love doesn’t strut. The Message.
1 Corinthians 13: 4
Patrice from Crestwood, KY
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NIV
I commit!
Anita Siecker, from Chesterfield, VA:
“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”
Hebrews 7:25 NIV84
Hey, Anita! I’m your neighbor in Chester.
Dear Linda, I’d love to meet you sometime!
[email protected]
I Commit!!! Sherry L Smith from Marietta GA
“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalms 34:18 ESV