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! Kim Cook – Valley, AL
You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. – Titus 2:1 NIV
I commit! Donna from Tampa, FL
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. Romans12:2 ESV
Thank You Jesus~I commit!
Kimberly Orr
Zionsville, Indiana
so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,
Colossians 1:10-11 NIV
I commit! Christina from Ashby, MN.
I pray that from his glorious unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. Ephesians 3:16 NLT
I commit!Dianne Sims from Aransas Pass, TX.
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Colossians 3:17 NAS
I COMMIT! Lyne, OHIO ARISE, for this matter is your responsibility. We also are with you. Be of good courage, and DO IT! Ezra 10:4 NKJV
I commit! Michele in Dallas, TX
“…and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband [[a]that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and [b]that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly].” Ephesians 5:33 AMPC
I commit! Debbie from Hoover, Alabama
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,his mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV
Dru from Franklin, TN. I commit!
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you.”
Isaiah 26:3
I commit! Christell, League City, TX
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” Psalm 91:1 NIV
Suzy Myers from Annapolis, MD
John 14:27 (ESV)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
I commit! claire from Hermitage, TN. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. Ephesians 1:18. NAS
I commit. Soni Buckalew from Gulfport,MS. “But you, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering and abundant in mercy and truth.” Psalm 86:15 (NKJV)
I commit! Lisa from Wichita, Kansas
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God
Micah 6:8 NIV
I commit! Linda from Xenia, Ohio
“I am the LORD, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols, Behold the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare, before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
Isaiah 42:8-9 ESV
Marg, Ottawa: Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,” Deuteronomy‬ â€7:9‬ â€ESV‬‬
i commit! barbara from perkasie, pennsylvania
“may God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.” 2 peter 1:2 NLT
Sandi from Williams Bay, Wisconsin. I commit! Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Psalm 95:1. NIV
I commit! Rebecca, Billings, Mt: Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him James 1:12 NIV
I commit….
Isaiah 55:11 New King James Version (NKJV)
11 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.
liz gladstone or
Roxanne from Smithfield, Virginia
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart. Proverbs 3:1 niv
I commit! Carol from Naperville Il “This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 NLT
Newberry, SC commits!
“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! Cheryl from Harleysville PA: Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God. Psalm 43:3,4 NKJV
I commit!! Wanda from Hideaway, TX: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, “ James 1:2 NIV
I commit! Karen from Trumbull, CT. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your requests to Go. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7, NIV84
I commit!!! Christy Hinnant from San Antonio, Texas:
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
Psalm 139:1 NIV
I commit! Sandra Arnold, Paris, Tennessee
“To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.”
Psalm 25:1 (NASB)
I commit! Tonya S., St. Petersburg, 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
Let you light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NASB
I commit! Valarie, Dayton,TN
John1:16 “For of His fullness we have all received and grace upon grace”
NASB
I commit! Amy Pertee, Smithville, Ohio:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
I commit! Gloria, OH; I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. Psalm 118:17 KJV
Meagan from St Augustine FL: Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely…! …treat your servants with kindness… Surprise us with love at daybreak; then we’ll skip and dance all the day long….Let your servants see what you’re best at— the ways you rule and bless your children. And let the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us, confirming the work that we do. Oh, yes. Affirm the work that we do! Psalm 90:12 MSG
I commit! Laurie from Fredericksburg, VA. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
I commit! Marie from Bryan, OH
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7 NIV
Trust is my word for the year and this is my verse!
Blessings to all!
Marie
Bev W. from Michigan “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.”
â€â€Isaiah‬ â€40:31‬ â€NIV‬‬
I Commit! Leann from Bethel NC, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jess Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” 1 Peter 1:3 ESV
I commit! d’Ann from Moultrie, GA: Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them. John 14:21 NLT
I commit! Sandra from Palm Coast, FL: In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. Daniel 1:1 NIV
I commit! Brenda from orange city IA. “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;” ps 25:1 niv
I commit from Murray, KY! “In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.” Psalms 25:1
NIV
I commit! Kim from Hilliard, FL.
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” John 17:17 NKJ
I commit! Deb from Rapid City, So. Dakota. 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! Kristin from Simpsonville, SC. “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.” Ps 19:1 NLT
I commit! Jennifer, Dallas, TX. “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 ESV
I commit!
I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 NLT
I commit! Connie; Waynesville, Georgia; Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9 KJV
I commit! Becky, St. Augustine, Florida. “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place you are standing is holy ground.” Exodus 3:5 NIV
I commit! Sheryl Coley, Rocky Mount,NC “Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass they soon fade away. Like spring flowers they soon wither. Psalm 37:1 NLT