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! Susan Sanders from Albany, GA.
“But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
â€â€Isaiah‬ â€43:1-2‬ â€NIV‬‬
I commit! Kaylee Vida from Anderson, IN: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.” Psalm 42:1 NIV
I commit! Nikki, Papillion, NE. Direct my footsteps according to Your word; let no sin rule over me. Psalm 119:133, NIV
I commit! Vicky from Mesquite, Texas. “Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker—”
â€â€Philemon‬ â€1:1‬ â€NIV‬‬
I commit! Tanya Smith from Kenosha WI Romans 2:29 NASB
But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the spirit not by the letter. And his praise is not from men but from God.
My only addition to this: I just learned about a memory aid app on iphone: Scripture typer. It is free and looks really helpful. check it out. I will for sure when I finally get a phone later this year. 🙂
Kim Bignon from Orlando, Florida – ” I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better.” Ephesians 1:17 NIV
I commit! Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30. NIV
I commit! Nan Greenville,SC: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17b
I commit! Gina, The Woodlands, Texas ” I will extol you, my God, O king! I will praise your name continually.” (Psalm 145:1, NET)
I commit! Kristin Wilkins from Springfield, MO: Psalm 91:1 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” ESV
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I commit! “Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithful love; according to Your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion.” Psalm 51:1 HSCB
I commit! Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)
I commit! from Madison, WI. “For I know the plans that I have for you”, says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Kerri from Raleigh, NC. I commit! 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! Amy from Adrian, MI. “I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart, I will tell of the marvelous things things you have done. Psalm 9:1 NLT
I commit! O LORD, Thou hast searched me and known me. Psalm 139:1 NASB
Ossian. “Therfore, if anyone is in Christ Jesus, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come. ” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Lexington, KY I commit! Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Jenni, Murray, KY: I commit! “Lord, who can dwell in Your tent? Who can live on Your holy mountain?”
â€â€Psalms‬ â€15:1‬ â€HCSB‬‬
Angie Dhans from Brooksville Florida
Psalms 65:11 (NKJ)
You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance.
I commit! Ann Steiner from Odessa Fl. 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 ESV
I commit! Haley from Pickens SC. In you, Lord my God I put my trust. Psalm 25:1 NIV
I commit. Elizabeth Mitchell living in Haverhill, England. “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].” Philippians 4:13 AMP
Cathy, Houston, Texas. Psalm 73:28 (Voice)
But the closer I am to you, my God, the better because life with you is good. Oh Lord, the Eternal, you keep me safe. I will tell everyone what you have done.
I commit! Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 NLT
I commit! Donna, Nova Scotia, Canada
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus
Phil. 1:6 NIV
I commit! Darlene, Elkhart, IN
You did not chose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you what you ask in MY name. John 15:16 NIV
I commit! Maureen, Royal Oak, MI: 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! Shari, Lewisville Tx: 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. Isa 40:31 NIV
I commit. Anna Katherine, Trying to move asap to Hickory, NC from Boston: “I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4
I commit! Pauladwynn from Jamesport, New York “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him. Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.” Ps. 37:7 NKJV
Susan from Mahomet, IL. I committ!! Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Heb 4:16 NIV
I commit! Yvette Misenheimer from Richfield, NC.
“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,”
â€â€Ephesians‬ â€3:20‬ â€ESV‬‬
I Commit! Beth Lebanon, IN. John 14:1 NIV
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.
Beth from Owings Mills, Maryland. I commit! Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NABRE
I commit! Heidi from DeLand, FL: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. ” Ecclesiastes 3:1
I commit! Patti, Summerset, SD “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,Neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.Isaiah 55:8 NAS
I commit! Lindsey-Arkansas .
2 Cor. 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich,yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
I commit! Brittney, Rome, Ga; Philippians 4:7 KJV And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
I commit! Alba, West Palm Beach, FL “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” I John 5:4 ESV
I commit! Debbie, Clermont, FL
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Psalm 103:1 ESV
I commit! Stefanie, Grenada, Ms
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
I commit! Melanie from Winchester, Va: Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.” 1 Peter 3:15 The Message
I commit! Kristi from Paducah, KY
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. NIV
Christy from Alabama: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 NIV
I commit! Valarie from Cincinnati, OH
“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
I Commit! Carol Givens in McAlisterville, PA 2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness. NIV (glad to be doing this again.)
I commit! Laurie Best Silva, Stowe, Vermont: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” Philippians 2:5 NIV
I commit! Tane McGehee Uvalde, Texas
Psalm 5:11 NIV Jan. 2, 2017
“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them
Ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them,
That those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Charlotte Wilson Stedman,Austintown,Ohio.
I COMMIT: And behold I am with you and will keep you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land: for I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you. Genesis 28:15 NAS