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! Cheryl H from Wichita, KS
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1 KJV
I commit! Donna, Earle AR: To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. Psalm 25:1 NKJV
I commit! Lynn Blosser from St. Petersburg, Florida: “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.“ Psalm 25:5 NIV
I commit! “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 ESV
I commit! Julie Silva of Katy, Tx: “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.” -Romans 15:13 (NIV)
I comit!! “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:18-19 ESV
I commit! Julia from Yorba Linda, CA
Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for me?
Jeremiah 32:27 ESV
I commit! Joy, TN.
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”
Isaiah 55:1 NIV
I commit! Tara Wohlford from Nashville, Tennessee “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:6 ESV
I commit! Joan from Baytown, Texas.
O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens!
Psalm 8:1 NKJV
I COMMIT! Lenny Lee, McKinney, Texas
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than a double-edge sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrew 4:12 NIV
I committ! Dee, From San Jose, California
But the Lord has become a fortress and my God the Rock in whom I take refuge. Psalm 94:22 NIV
I commit! Carla from Colorado
“O LORD, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.”
â€â€Psalms‬ â€25:1-2‬ â€NLT‬‬
I Commit! Cynthia, Katy, TX: Psalm 91:1::NIV
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I commit! Kathie Koyle, Escondido, California: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV
I commit! Melanie Hunter from Melissa, Texas
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
Isaiah 55;8 NASB
I commit! Bobbie from Litchfield, MN
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest, even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11 (NLT)
I Commit! ” A generous person will prosper. Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25 NIV
I commit! Lynne from Scottsdale,Az
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” Ps 51:10 NIV
I COMMIT! Jen – Albany, Oregon
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11 NLT
Hi Jen!!! so happy to be memorizing with you!~!
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Ephesians 1:3 NIV
I commit, Lupi from Coppell,Texas.
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
I commit! Karey Bourgeois from Justin, TX
“From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.”
â€â€Psalm‬ â€61:2-3‬ â€NIV
I commit! Melanie Hunter from Melissa, Texas
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8 NASB
I commit! My first year. Alethea Crossman from Frisco, TX. ” Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…” Zechariah 4:10a NLT
I commit! “Now 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
Michele, Clarksville, TN
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 NKJV
I commit! Katie from Greenbrier, TN
I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a path right through the sea. Isaiah 43:16 (TLB)
I commit! Janel, Valrico, FL:
“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.” Isaiah 43:19 NIV
I commit! Debbie from Colbert OK. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
I commit!!Mickey from Gilbert, AZ
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV
Oops! Forgot from San Marcos, CA
I commit! Jackie from Red Bluff, California
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV
Debbie George, Marion, IN “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.” Romans 15:13 NIV ’84
” I Commit!”
I commit! Melissa from Vienna, Mo
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness 1 John 1:9 NIV
I commit! Ruth Garmon from Kaufman Texas: “Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:” Jude 1 (KJV)
I commit! Michelle from Bellaire, TX
“So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”
â€â€Psalms‬ â€90:12‬ â€NASB‬‬
I commit. Kim from Lambert, MS
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.” Psalm 84:5 NIV
I commit! Erin from Littleton, Colorado. “Open my eyes that I might see wonderful things in your law.” Psalm 119:18 TNIV
I commit!
Beth Schwandt from Riverside, CA
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 NIV
I commit! Sheree Poole from Columbia, South Carolina: “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 ESV
I commit!Margie from Beaverton, Oregon
“Watch and pray lest you enter into temptation . The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak” Matthew 26:41 NKJV
I COMMIT!!!!!Sharon Jenkins Modesto, Ca.
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Psalms 46:4 NIV
So happy to be doing this with you.
Houston here we come!!!Happy to be memorizing scripture with you too Wendy!!!!
Sorry this was Isaiah not Psalms
I commit! Nicole Motl from San Antonio, Texas:
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” â€â€Colossians‬ â€3:12‬ â€NIV‬‬
I commit! Sandra from Bellevue, Nebraska
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. 1 Corinthians 13:1 NIV
I commit! Carol, Bryan, Texas “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.” Colossians 2:6-7 NASB
I commit! Georgia from Sumter, South Carolina “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” Rom 12:1. NIV
I commit! Michelle from Angola, Indiana
But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. Psalm 3:3 NIV
I commit! Kari, Springfield, MO. “Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:” Jude 1, KJV
I commit! Lou from Olathe, Kansas
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness,[l] and patience. Colossians 3:12 ISV