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.
pat from springfield, mo: I commit! “Lord, I turn to You.”
Psalm 25:1 HCSB
I commit!Mary from Normal, IL: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:10-11 NIV
I commit!! Amanda Love from Columbus Ohio: “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19, NIV
Meghan Horan from Spartanburg SC
“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 5:13 (ESV)
Oh! And I commit!!!
I commit! Angie Vernon from Harrah, OK “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10: 13 NIV
I commit! Joyce Jones from Colleyville,Texas: “Just see how much good this grief from the Lord did for you. You no longer shrugged your shoulders, but became earnest and sincere; and very anxious to get rid of the sin that I wrote you about.” 2 Corinthians 7:11 LB
Dot Dunaway I commit! If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault , and it will be given to him. James 1:5. NIV
Dot Dunaway Wilmer AL. I commit ! If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5. NIV
2 Tues 1:7 KJV
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
“For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].” Ephesians 2:10 amplified
I commit! Amy; Gibsonville, NC.
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness!” 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
I COMMIT!! Jenny Jones from Pearland TX
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 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 43:18-19 NIV
I commit!
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 NIV
I forgot to mention..from Irving Texas currently.
I commit! Lannette Boe from Fresno, CA: ” Search me, O 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 139:23-24 NIV
I commit!Rhonda Burrough, Katy, TX:”Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalms 37:3-4
I commit! Susie from Bloomington, IN “In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.”
â€â€Psalm‬ â€25:1‬ â€NIV
Susie, I can hardly believe that you live in Bloomington Indiana. I prayed this morning that I would be able to find someone to travel to Houston TX with me for the SSMT Celebration! Would love to connect with you.
RaeLeen Ellis
Bloomington Indiana
I commit! Emily from McKinney, TX: “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10, ESV
Lisa Cooper from Fort Worth, Texas: In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Thessalonians 5:18
Translation KJV
I Commit! You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. Psalm 139:1 ESV
Kim Freeman Fort Worth, Tx.
I commit! Carol King from Genoa, Nevada: “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.” Psalm 33:18 NIV
I Commit! Lori Stewart from Plano, Texas
“Do not call to mind the former things or ponder things of the past.” Isaiah 43:18 NASB
I Commit!
Deidre Capone from Gardnerville, Nevada: Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; His going out is sure as the dawn; He will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth (ESV).
I commit! Kali from Tyler, Texas: “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! Becca Doss, Ashland Kentucky.
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 NLT
I commit! Beverly Barnhardt from Apex, NC: “My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.” Proverbs 4:20-22 NLT
I COMMIT!
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, (Christ who is in me) because the LORD has anointed me (Christ who is in me) to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me (Christ who is in me) to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;” Isaiah 61:1 (ESV)
I commit! Alexis from Anderson, SC: “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 commit! Michelle Rodriguez from Springfield, VA
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.” Psalm 119:103 NIV
I commit! Shelby from Frisco, Texas
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:9-10
Bethany Scott, Houston, TX
I commit!
“For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. He loves whatever is just and good; he unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.”
Psalm 33:4-5, NLT
I commit! Connie from Shorewood, IL “But from there you will search again for the LORD your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.” Deuteronomy 4:29 NLT
I commit! Kelly from Gainesville,VA: God said to Moses, ” I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites. ‘I AM has sent me to you.'” Exodus 3:14 NIV
I commit! Mary from Houston, TX: “I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day. 2 Timothy 1:3 HCSB
I commit! Tammy Schroeder from West Point, NE Be still and know I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10 ESV
I commit! Iris Lipsky from Jacksonville, Florida: “O Lord, You have searched me and known me.” Psalm 139:1 NKJV
Lori from McCook, Nebraska. Philippians 4:6; “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” NLT
i commit to memorizing
Trust in him at all times , you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge
psalm 62 8 NIV susan lake grove long island NY
I commit! Hallie Klecker from Middleton, WI.
“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end.”
Lamentations 3:21-22 ESV
I commit! Mindy Seekford Stonewall, Louisiana
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”
â€â€II Corinthians‬ â€10:4-5‬ â€NKJV
I commit! Susan C. from New York, NY:
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1 ESV
I commit! Brenda K from St. Peters, Missouri: “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 ESV
I commit! Barbara from North Potomac, Maryland : “Be patient and wait for the Lord to act; don’t be worried about those who prosper or those who who succeed in their own evil plans.” Psalms 37:7. TEV.
I commit! Kristi from Bartlesville OK: “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 1984
I Commit! Erika Weilage from Prospect, KY: “With Your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.” – Psalm 18:29 (NIV)
I commit! Cathy from La Quinta CA,
” I have hidden your word in my heart, that I may not sin against you.”
Psalm 119:11. NLT
Erin, Everett, WA. I commit! “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” 1 Peter 5:6 NIV (1984)
I commit! Kathy Streby from New Caney Texas: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right”. 2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
I commit! Carrie Hart from Byron, GA: “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” James 3:1 ESV
I commit! Veronica Reeves from Jonesboro, Arkansas: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
I Commit! Stacey Masterson, Hanscom AFB, MA: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end. Lamentations 3:22 ESV
I commit! Michelle Vandeven from Woodstock, VT “If Your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction.” Psalm 119:92 NASB