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!
Beth from Story City, Iowa
“Oh Lord, You have searched me and known me.”
Psalm 139:1, NKJ
Rose from Houston, TX: I commit!
“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”” Isaiah 41:13 ESV
Psalm 73:25-26
“Whom have I in heaven but Thee?
And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
NASB
This is my prayer for the year.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalms 51:10 ESV
I commit! Kristin, Tulsa, OK. Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening. Don’t you see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
Isaiah 43:19 (NCV, NLT)
I’m committed! Carol from Jefferson City, Mo “I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” Isaiah 45: 2-3. NIV
I commit! Shawn in AZ
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia
1 Peter 1:1 NKJV
I commit! Brenda from Bartlett, TN. “I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust with great confidence, and on whom I rely”. Psalm 91:2. Amplified Version
I commit! Mikelan, Overland Park, KS “Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 Amplified
Eileen, Goodyear, AZ “The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8 NLT
I commit!
Karen E, Rochester, MN
“O Lord, you have searched me and known me!” Psalm 139:1 ESV
Melanie from Decatur AL – I Commit!
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 New International Version (NIV)
I commit! Dawn, San Marcos, CA. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
I COMMITT!! Sonya, Portage, IN. “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4 ESV
I commit! Ann Hellman from Cookeville, Tennessee. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NKLV
I commit! Summer Sikes from Louisville, Kentucky: “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” Isaiah 55:11 NLT
Lynn Watson, Hurst,TX
Romans 12:2. ESV
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
I commit! Sharon from Fresno, CA
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
I commit! Ginger Hawthorne, Cypress, TX
“The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:”
Proverbs 31:1 (ESV)
Peggy Homer, IL
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2 ESV
Kay, Winchester, KY. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,”
Romans 8:1. NIV
I commit! Doretta, Ada, OK
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19 KJV
I commit! Susan Nicholasville, KY “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.” Psalm 119:114 ESV
Devin Gaddy from Grand Cane, LA
“Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” Colossians 3:2 NLT
Angie Shockney Lafayette, IN. I Commit! 1 Corinthians 1:3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. NIV
I commit! Kelly from Columbia, SC. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” 1Cor 1:18 NIV
Cypress, TX, I commit!
“But, Lord, we are waiting for Your way of justice. Our souls want to remember You and Your name.” ~ Isaiah 26:8. NCV
I commit! Christina Smet, Rockwall, TX. “But the Lord has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be a people of His own inheritance, as you are this day.” Duet. 4:20 (ESV)
I commit!
Sarah, Diana, TX
“In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God.” John 1:1 NLT
I commit! Anjanette, Midlothian – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
I commit! Jennifer from Orlando, FL: “Don’t fear sudden danger or the ruin that overtakes the wicked for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from a snare.” Proverbs 3:25-26 NIV
I COMMIT!!
Erin Beasley
Albertville, AL
“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or His ear dull that it cannot hear;” – Isaiah 59:1 ESV
I commit! Shelly from Saginaw, Michigan: Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 ESV
Keli Drew, Waynesboro PA, I commit. ” James a bond servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad. Greetings” James 1:1 NASB
I commit! Ann Medford, Sunset, TX. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV)
I Commit!!!!!!
Carrie Gill, Tyler, TX
“In You, Lord my God, I put my trust.”
Ps. 25:1 (NIV)
I commit! Shanda from Longview,TX
Let us then, with confidence, draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrew 4:16 ESV sorry it submit to soon
Abby F, Stafford, TX
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5 (ESV)
I commit! Jennie, OR
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV
I commit! Nancy Dal Pian, Port Charlotte, FL. The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 NIV
Stevie from Ft. Worth, TX
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV
January 1, 2017 Shelly and Sienna Colorado Springs, CO “Anxiety ina an’s heart weights it dowwn, but an encouraging word makes it glad.” Proverbs 12:25 NIV
I commit! Tamara from Austin, TX: “If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts and He knows everything.” 1 John 3:20. NIV
I commit! Callie from Batavia, OH
In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.
Psalm 25:1 NIV
I commit!, Sandy, Horatio ,AR,1 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 ESV
I commit!
Carmen Boso from Huntington, WV “And he who was seated on the throne
said “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also He said, “Write this down for these words are trustworthy and true.” Rev 21:5 ESV
Kelli S, Beavercreek, OH–I COMMIT!
And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Luke 11:9 (ESV)
I commiit! Kim H. Fort Worth, Texas
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Philippians 2:12 NIV
Charmaine, San Angelo. I commit! For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:5, NIV
Hollie Rollins, Winston-Salem, NC
I commit! Isaiah 43:18-19 (HCSB)
18 “Do not remember the past events,
pay no attention to things of old.
19 Look, I am about to do something new;
even now it is coming. Do you not see it?
Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness,
rivers[a] in the desert.