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! Pushkala from Louisville, KY
But those who hope 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 be faint. Is 40:31 NIV
I commit! Kim Cliatt, Loganville, GA: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” Isaiah 43:18 (NIV)
I commit! Bec Hamilton from Gold Coast, Australia: “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.” James 1:1 NIV
I commit! Tanya from Springfield, VA. To you O Lord, I lift up my soul. Psalm 25:1 NIV
I commit! Joanne from Fremont, CA
“That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.”
Esther 6:1-2, NIV
I commit! Brenda Tharp from Lafayette, LA
“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says.” Mark 11:23 NKJV
I commit! Elizabeth, living in Guam (moving to New Mexico).
“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,”
2 Timothy 2:1
So sorry, that is 2 Timothy 2:1 ESV.
I commit! Elisabeth from Poulsbo, Washington. “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3 NASB
I commit: Penny Benton; Cottonwood CA
1 Peter 5:10-11 (MEV)
But after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called us to His eternal glory through Christ Jesus will restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:10-11 Modern English Version
I commit! Angelica, Chandler, AZ
The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God remains forever.
Isaiah 40:8 NIV
I commit! Kerri, Blacksburg VA
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Loud Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9 KJV
I commit! Barb from Argyle. O LORD, you have searched me and known me. Psalm 139:1 ESV
I commit! Paige Watson from Atlanta, Ga
John 14:9 JESUS said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show is the Father’?
ESV
I Commit! Marilyn F Davis, Kearney Nebraska, He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 NIV
I commit! Sherry from Owensboro, KY
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23â€-‬24 NIV
I will give you a new heart, new and right desires and put a new spirit within you. Ezekiel 36:26
Kimberly from Denver, CO
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 ESV
I commit! Morgan from Kansas City. “God is kind, but he’s not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change.” Romans 2:3-4 MSG
I commit! Jane Biel from Gilbert, AZ
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what Gods will is – His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 NIV
Ali C., Pleasanton, CA- “1I love the Lord , for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
2Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. Psalm 116:1-2 (NIV 84)
I commit! Kathy from The Woodlands, TX
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3: 20-21 NIV
I commit! Mai Ly Chi “If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me and Your right hand shall hold me.” Psalm 139:9-10 NKJM
Fairfax, Virginia
I commit! Kathy from Russellville, Arkansas:
You, Lord, give true peace to those who depend on you, because they trust you.
Is. 26:3 NCV
I commit! Allie McDonald from Wheaton, IL : “Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the dessert.” Isaiah 43:19 NASB
I commit! Colleen from Wheaton, IL
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-2 ESV
I commit! Jaqui-Lyn Cook from Houston, Texas. “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” Proverbs 15:1 NLT
I commit! Jane from Lagro, Indiana
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
Romans15:13 NIV
I commit! Elizabeth from Tampa, FL: “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”
â€â€Ephesians‬ â€6:11 NLT
I commit! Stephanie, Meridian, ID
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
I commit! Lisa from Lincoln, IL
In You,Lord my God, I put my trust. Psalm 25:1 NIV
Pam Mayer from Apple Valley, MN: I commit! “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8 NIV
Connie Windham
Picayune, MS
I Commit!
Let everything you say be good and helpful, so
that your words will be an encouragement to those
who hear them. Eph 4:29
I commit! Angela from Charlotte NC “oh LORD you have searched me and you know me” psalm 139 v. 1. NIV
I commit! Danielle from Brentwood, TN
I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. Psalm 34:1 NIV
Philippians 3:13-14
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
I commit! Aimee from St. George, UT
O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced. Psalm 71:1 NLT
I commit!
Megan from Quincy, IL
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 (ESV)
Abby-Seminary, MS
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
I commit! Cynthia from Fort Worth, Texas And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight. Philippians 1:9 NIV
I commit! Rebekah McKinney from Houston, TX. “Paul, and apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 1 NIV
I commit! Tami from Denham Springs
“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”
â€â€Ecclesiastes‬ â€12:13‬ â€ESV‬‬
I commit! Sheila from Chicago, IL
“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.” 1 Peter 4:7 ESV
I commit!! Coralea from Louisville, KY: Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NKJV
I commit! Karen from albuquerque nm
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”
â€â€1 Corinthians‬ â€13:1‬ â€NIV‬‬
Susan, Sydney Australia ‘Let love and faithfulness never leave you;bind them around your neck,write them on the tablet of your heart.’Proverbs 3:3 NIV
I commit! Melissa from Marshall, IL
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, Psalm 23: 1-2 NIV
I commit! Sherron Watkins, Houston, TX. “Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah‬ â€43:19‬ â€AMPC‬‬
I commit! Debi Meyer from Tempe, Arizona
“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.”
Linda, I commit, from San Jose California
I will be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving I will let my requests be known to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7 NAS & NIV
.
I Commit! Wendy Couper, Peterborough, Ontario 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