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! Shari Sullivan from Evansville, Indiana: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 NIV
I commit! Pam from Wilmington, NC
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 NKJV
I commit! Kristi Lowe, Lubbock, TX
“In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.”
â€â€Psalm‬ â€25:1 NIV
I commit memorizing Hebrews 11th chapter
Cammie Schnautz
Pasadena, Texas
Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Hebrews 11:1-3
King James
I committ! Erin from Knoxville, TN
“I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.”
Psalms 13:6, ESV
I commit! “O Lord, I give my life to you.” Ps 25:1. NLT
I Commit!!!
Jessica Leavenworth,IN
To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
Psalm 25:1 NIV
Brylee ( my 7 year old granddaughter)
In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1 NIV
I commit! Betsy from Indianapolis, IN: 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
Kristi, Lenoir City, TN
I commit!
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
Marilyn from Eau Claire, WI. I commit!
Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk {ever} come out of your mouth, but only such {speech} as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it. Ephesians: 4:29 Amplified Bible
I commit! Susana from Arlington, VA “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)
I commit!! Megan, Sioux Falls, SD, “By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.” Hebrews 11:11 NKJV
I commit! Marybeth-Oxford, PA “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matt 6:33 ESV
I commit! Jennie Marie, DeWitt,Arkansas
1 Corinthians 9:27 (NASB). but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
(I pray I will make my body and it’s tendency to over indulge “my slave” not my master so that I will receive God’s approval.)
I commit! Danielle from Williamsburg, Virginia: ” Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
I commit!! Emily, Danville, VA
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, I do. ~Romans 8:15 NIV
I commit!
Kristin, San Diego, CA. “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 entrust my life.” Psalm 143:8 NIV
I commit! “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” â€â€Psalm‬ â€25:5‬ â€NIV‬‬
I commit!! Esabelle from Louisville, Kentucky.
The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.
Exodus 14:14 NASB
I commit! I am Julie from Georgetown, Texas. “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them? For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 11:33-12:1 NIV
I commit! Kelly, Lakeland, Florida. Let your hope make you glad. be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying. Romans 12:12 CEV
I commit! Darlene, St Augustine FL.
In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. Psalm 25:1 NIV
I commit!! Amy Dalke, Richmond, Texas “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles- if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief.” â€Ephesians‬ â€3:1-3‬ â€NASB‬‬
I commit! Becky from Columbia, Mississippi. Psalm 46:1 God is our Refuge and Strength; a Very Present Help in trouble. (NKJV)
I commit! Lisa from Devils Lake, ND: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart” Jeremiah 29:13
I commit! Ashley from Lexington Kentucky “so let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16 NLT
Ann from Mapleton, ME
I commit!
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. Psalm 25:1 NASB
I commit! Patricia from Carrizo Springs, TX
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the just shall live by faith.
Galatians 3:11 KJV
I commit! Jill, Ames, IA. Proverbs 15:4 (ESV) A gentle tongue is a tree of life,but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
I commit! Anna from Auburn, AL “so is my word which goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Is 55:11 NIV
Anne from Fort Collins, CO. I commit! “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.” Rom 15:13 NIV
I commit! Mindy from Granger, IN: “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” PS. 16:11 NIV
Emma, age 8, from Fort Collins, CO. I commit! “Cry out! The day of the Lord is near! The mighty one is coming to destroy the Babylonians. Their hands won’t be able to help them. Everyone’s heart will melt away in fear.” Isa 13:6-7 NIrV
I Commit! Debbie, Bassett, Virginia: From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for Him. Isaiah 64:4 ESV
I commit! MiriamBerry, Millgrove, Ontario, Canada. Psalm 145:1 ESV “I will extol you My God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.”
I commit! Mandi from Coaldale, AB, Canada: “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.” Acts 2:32 NIV
I commit! Jennifer Mosher in Canfield, Ohio
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” Ephesians 1:13 NIV
I commit!! Deb from Parker, Colorado
“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you.” 1 Chronicles 28:20 NIV
I commit!
Waynell from Floyd, NM
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 NLT
I commit! Diane from Williamston,SC: “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.
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I commit! Shirley in richardson, Texas. “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1′ NKJV
I commit! Brenda, Orange City, Iowa, The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He make the me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. Psalm 23:1 – 2 KJV
I commit
The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy. Psalms 126:3 NIV
I commit! Kelly from Dripping Springs, Tx: “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2 NIV
I commit! Chris Slovacek from Conroe, Texas: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phillipians 4:13 NIV
I commit! Simone Lay from Birmingham, AL. “I lift my eyes up to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” Ps 121:1-2 ESV
I commit! Marcy, Vincennes, IN
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2-3 NIV
Bethany – Forest, Virginia: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
I commit! Shannon Redmon, Asheville, NC: Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia 1 Peter 1:1 ESV
I commit!! Terri Tripp from Winchester, Virginia “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, she is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV