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! April,l Boerne, TX:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let is strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.
Hebrews 12:1 NLT
I commit!
Rhonda
Gilmer
“Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,
To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:”
Jude 1:1 NKJV
I commit. Patty Warner Robins, GA: “That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God require the that which is past.”
ESV
Amanda, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
I commit!
His glory (His brilliant splendour fills up the heavens and) overtakes the skies, His praise fills every corner of the earth
Habakkuk 3:3b The Voice (meanings added for emphasis)
I commit
Jennine from Chandler, OK
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. “
I commit! Katherine, Charlottesville, VA
“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?”
James 4:1 ESV
I commit! Teresa Olson, Clarksville, TN “Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.” ~~Psalm 25:1 KJV
I commit! Stephanie from Paris, TX: “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seeds to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaths with them.” Psalm 126:5-6, NIV
I commit! Sheila from Tupelo, MS “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” Luke 1:45 NKJV
I commit! Julia from Fayetteville, AR. “All scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
I commit! Genelle Jones from Glasgow, KY. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8
I forgot. NIV
I Commit! Shelley from San Angelo, TX
“And without faith it is impossible to please God,
because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists
and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
I commit! Sharon Thomas from Wheatridge, Colorado
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
Isaiah 43:18 NIV
I commit! Amy, Atlanta Ga “In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.” Psalm 25:1 (NIV)
I commit! Dawn Matusz from Las Vegas, NV.
“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 (NASB)
Can’t find original post from earlier today so here it is again…
Anne, Chesterfield, MI: I commit! A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath, but harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger. Proverbs 15:1 AMP
Scripture sisters! 🙂
I commit! Kathy Brand from Gahanna, Ohio
But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:30-31 (ESV)
I commit! Denise from West Chester, PA “So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36 NLTÂ
I commit! Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
Deb Marcus, Iowa
I commit! Carol Marroquin from Hewitt, TX Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 NIV
I commit!
Mary Thomas
Lexington, KY
“Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.” -Matthew 5:1 ESV
I commit! Renee Cooper City, FL: Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. Psalm 37:4 Amp Classic (AMPC)
Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.NKJV
Dawn, Buford, GA. “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy”
â€â€Philippians‬ â€1:3-4‬ â€NIV‬‬
Denise, Gambier Ohio:
Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.
Romans 12:1 NIV
I commit! Lindsey Carelock from Brenham, Texas: “It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV
I commit! Sherri Medford from Abilene, Tx. O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1 NIV
I commit! Mandy Gaede from Imperial, CA
The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?
Ecclesiastes 6:11 NIV
I commit! Terri Plumlee from Stamford, Tx O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1 NIV
I commit! Cristina from Seattle, WA: “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise”, says the Lord; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.” ESV
I commit! Mary from Hurst, TX: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:” Ephesians 1:1
I commit! Leslie from Austin, TX: For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV
Kim Z Noblesville, IN “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19 NIV
I commit! Karen, Kansas City In you LORD my God, I put my trust. Psalm 25:1 (NIV)
I commit! Kim Vaughan, Glen Allen, VIrginia
“I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” John 17:4 NIV
I commit! Ellen from Lafayette La.
“Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. Jude 1-2
I commit!! Kelsey Richert Waverly Iowa
“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me” Psalm 139:1 NIV
I Commit, Debra, Columbus, MS, Philippians 4:1 ESV, Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
Amy Mason from Tampa, FL: ” ‘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! Jenny Smith from Lewisville, Texas. You will seek me, and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
I commit! Holly from Sandersville, GA “but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 HCSB
Chris from
Yukon, OK I commit! Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Romans 12:9 ESV
I commit!!!
Danyelle
Beavercreek, OH
In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.
â€â€Psalm‬ â€25:1‬ â€(NIV‬‬)
I commit! Sue Grace from Lindsay, Ontario, Canada. 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! Punky Tolson from Dallas, Texas: “Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved fellow worker…” Philemon 1, ESV
I commit! Cassi from Clermont, FL: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.” John 15:1 ESV
I commit! Shari from Long Beach, California:
“Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” Luke 7:50 NKJV
Ann, Springboro, OH
I commit! “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
â€â€Hebrews‬ â€12:11‬ â€NIV‬‬
I commit!
Mary C.
Hazel Green, AL
Psalm 25: 1 (NIV)
“In you, LORD my God, I put my trust.”
I commit!
Wendy Buttrey Acworth, Ga
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 NLT