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.
Nell, Nashville
I commit. Psalm 139:1-2 GW You have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit down and when I rise. You can discern my thoughts from afar.
I commit! Marilyn from Dearborn, MO.
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Psalm 90:14 ESV
I commit! Kelly, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan
From afar the LORD appeared unto me, ‘Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with affection have I drawn thee.’ Jeremiah 31:3 JPS Tanakh 1917 ( chose this version because “with affection” resonated in my ) for so long I’ve believed lies that I was a disappointment to God – so I’m renewing my mind and asking the Lord to put an understanding of the truth of His love for me in my heart! So excited! Thank you Beth!
I commit! Rebecca, Chattanooga, TN
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
I commit!
Missi Woods from Walker, LA
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
â€â€Proverbs‬ â€16:3‬ â€NIV‬‬
Kelley Rose from Searcy, Arkansas
I commit! Psalm 96:1-3 “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.”
NIV84
Ft worth tx
Whoso sheddeth man”s blood shall his blood be shed for in the image of God made he man Genius ch 9 vs 6
I commit! Katy Golden from Greer, South Carolina: “With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:10-11 ESV
Cindy, Franklin TN: “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.”
â€â€Romans‬ â€12:9‬ â€NKJV‬‬
I commit! Laura Wilke from Milwaukee, WI “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:25â€-‬26 NIV
I commit!! Jennifer from Haslet, TX
1 Corinthians 15:33
“Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” ESV
Kim Safina
California
“And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3 NRSV
I commit!!! Amy,Galax,Virginia. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8 NIV
Jackie A Santa Rosa, CA
Psalm 25:1 NLT O LORD I give my life to You.
Brady, Cedar Rapids, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11, NIV.
I commit! Tracy, Benton, KY
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18 NIV
I commit! Robin Fossett from Tracy CA
Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between His shoulders. Deuteronomy 33:12 NIV
I commit! Beth Lang, Roseburg, Oregon. But those who wait upon 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 NKJV
I commit! Angie Miller from Macon, MS: I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. John 15:1 NIV
I commit.
Let’s go!! Gwen Sieler from Billings, MT: “…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13
I commit!!!! Jayden from Haslet, TX
1 Corithians 15:33
“Do not be decieved: “Bad company ruins good morals.” ESV
I commit! Kim, Vidalia Ga: I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NKJV).
I commit! Marsha from Batesville,Ms.
“I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.” Psalm 91:2, NKJV
I commit! Lynn Greene, Shelby, NC Proverbs 16:3 NIV
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
My 11 year old daughter wants to do this with me!!!
I commit! Mackenzie Greene, Shelby, NC 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV
“pray continually,”
I commit! Tiffany from Murfreesboro, TN – “We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.” -Proverbs 16:1 NLT
Amy: “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:18 (ESV)
I commit! Kim Safina from Los Osos, California.
“And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. ” John 17:3 NRSV
I commit! Tammie Crowgey from Christiansburg, VA.
“I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.” Psalm 34 (NIV)
Kayce Walton from Baton Rouge, LA: “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.” NIV
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5 NASB
I commit! Heather, Louisville
“I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.”
Psalm 63:8 (NLT)
I commit! Andrea Larmer, Hephzibah, GA
“And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.”
Deuteronomy 8:2 (ESV)
Laura from Kingwood, TX
I commit!
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
Romans 12:9 NIV
I commit!! Nicole from Corunna Ontario, Canada. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” James 1:2 NKJV
I commit!!
Emily, Topeka, Kansas
“Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:3-4 (NIV)
I COMMIT! Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 KJV
I commit! Tammy, Burleson, TX
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. Colossians 1:15 (ESV)
I commit! Cindy Dowden from La Grande, Oregon.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJ
I commit! Jere Miles, Lafayette, LA, “In you, Lord my God,
I put my trust.” Psalm 25:1 NIV
I commit! Abby from Lafayette, IN: “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, to those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.” Jude 1:1-2, ESV
I commit!! Erica B. from Portage, MI: “It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.” 2 Samuel 22:33 NIV
I commit! Dallas, GA
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV)
I commit! Anne from Mckinney, Texas
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
I Commit!
Lynn
Humble, TX
Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
Hebrews 13:15 NASB
I commit! Michelle from Fort Collins, CO
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances. For this is God’s will or you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise the words of prophets. Test everything – hold fast to what is good and abstain from every form of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NRSV
I commit! Kathy Johnston from Fort Worth, Texas: “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 1:13 NASB
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12 NIV)
I commit! Kira, Klamath Falls, OR. You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)
I COMMIT! Connie from Columbia, SC
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”
Isaiah 43:18 NIV