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! Dianna Miller from Richmond, Indiana:
I commit! Dianna Miller from Richmond, Indiana:
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
Proverbs 16:3 NIV
I commit! Melissa from Lancaster, PA
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
I commit! Sara Lexington, KY
“Let us hold unswearvinglu to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Kari, Lubbock, TX
“But ONLY ONE thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42 (HCSB)
I commit! Jane G- Atlanta, Ga. He says: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalms 46.10, NIV
I commit! Lindsey, North Carolina.
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7
ESV
I commit. Trust in the Lord Proverbs 3:5 Alisha Baltimore
Kathy M in Tulsa, Ok 1 Peter 3:15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, (ESV)
I am so glad to join this year! First verse is Genesis 28:15b, for I will not leave you until I have done all of which I have told you.
I commit! Andrea Vandiver from Tulsa, Oklahoma. “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9, NKJV
I commit! Regina Rentz in Fort Worth, Texas
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Col 4:2 ESV
I commit! Kailah from Cambridge, MA: “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!! Cassandra from Ventura, California. Entire Book of James – “James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the 12 tribes in the Dispersion. Greetings… …”
I commit! Claire Manson-Bishop from Houston, Tx: “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” Romans 5:10 ESV
I commit! DaNae from Lawrenceville, GA
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ has made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2 NKJV
I commit! Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 ESV
I Commit!! For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have Devine power to destroy strongholds. 2Cor. 10:4
I commit! “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Ps 51:10 ASV
I commit! Casie Gall from Wylie, Tx. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Ps 51:10
I commit. Stephanie S. from Richardson, TX “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.” Phillipians 4:1 ESV
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 NKJV
Stefani Wilson Saginaw, Michigan
Teach me the way, O’Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
Psalm 86:11 KJV
I commit! Anesa Ashur – Shelbyville,Ky.
“Lord, you are my God; I will exhalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.” Isaiah 25:1 NIV
I commit! Rachel Dixon, Prairie Grove, AR
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.””
Luke 19:10 ESV
I commit! Connie, Lebanon, IN Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19, NKJV
I commit! Keri from Washington, Georgia “…”Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.” Joshua 23:14 NIV
I commit! Elise from Houston, Texas
Instead let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God-truly righteous and holy Ephesians 4:23-24 NLT
I commit! Noreen from Cleveland ohio. Philippians 3:12. ESV “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
I commit! Shirley, San Diego, CA:
“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! Darla G, Amarillo, TX: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
I commit! Markay Cosper, Fort Collins, CO
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23 NIV
I commit! Susan Canham, Bismarck ND
“The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”
-Numbers 6:24-26 NKJV
I commit! Kristy from Cottage Grove, MN. Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27 NIV
I Commit! Sheryl from Florida
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
Psalms 46:10 NKJV
I commit! Darcy Hicks from Pace, FL:
Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Psalm 103:1 (NIV)
I commit! Lynnette from Spring, Texas
He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.
Isaiah 33:6 NIV
I commit! Anita from Florida: “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 NKJV
I commit! Bekka Rogers, from Middletown, Indiana
“The Lord replied, ‘Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.” NLT
I commit! Terry from Louisa, VA
Psalm 143:8-10 NIV
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.
Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in You.
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on solid ground.
I commit! Tiffany from Cypress, Texas: “I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. Psalm 119:30 KJV
I commit! Erin from Centerville: but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalms 1:2 ESV
I commit! donna, Woodstock, GA Show kindness and mercy to one another. Do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart. Zechariah 7:9-10
Heather Williams Grand Prairie, TX
Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain
you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22
Ruth from L’acul, Haiti
I commit!! “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! Sarah Ajero from Redding, CA
Psalm 1:2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. ESV
Psalm 118:17 “I will not die, but live, And declare the works and recount the illustrious acts of the LORD. The LORD has disciplined me severely, But He has not given me over to death.”
PSALM 118:17-18 AMP
I commit! Lyric from Cypress, Texas
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye falls into divers temptation; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” James 1:2-3 KJV
I commit! Tiffany from Greensboro, North Carolina
“For all that is in the world- the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life- is not from the Father but is from the world.” 1 John 2:16 ESV
Amber from Gulfport, Mississippi
“Lord You have searched me and known me.” Psalms 139:1 HCSB
I commit! Mary Alice Dulweber from Dallas, TX
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ” Hebrews 12:1 NASB
I commit! Georgia from Webb City, MO
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”
2 Timothy 3:16 NIV
I COMMIT!!
Kelli from Dover, Arkansas
“In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him.” Ruth 1:1 NLT
Shawn, Safety Harbor, Fl:
1 Corinthians 15:58
New International Version (NIV)
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
I commit! Ashlynn (age 11) from Longview, Texas
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Gen. 1:1 NIrV