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! Hannah from Memphis, TN: ” And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26 ESV
I commit! This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that is we ask anything according to His will, he hears us. I John 5:14 NIV
He heals the broken-hearted and binds up thier wounds. Psalm 147:3 niv
I commit! Laura from Fredericksburg, VA: And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV
I commit! Carol from Flower Mound: “And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” 1 Corinthians 13:1 NIV
I commit! Jules from pensacola, Florida. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 KJV
I commit! Birdie from Darlington, MD.
Cast your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7 NKJV)
I commit! Cindy from Rock Hill,SC. Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,Jude 24 NKJV
I commit! Misti from Stuarts Draft, Va: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 ESV
Rebekah, Elgin, OK
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:1 HCSB
I commit! Rebekah from Elgin, Oklahoma. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:1HCSB
I commit! Sarah from Franklin Springs, GA. “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! Jennifer from Tomball, TX “Do not rejoice over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will stand up; though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.” Micah 7:8 HCSB
I commit! Elsie – Scottsbluff, NE – But You, O LORD, are a shield about me,
My glory, and the One who lifts my head. Psalm 3:3 NASB
I commit! Megan from Akron, PA: “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”
Philippians 2:1-2 ESV
I commit!! Kristy from Shelby, NC “You have searched me Lord and you know me.” Psalm 139 NIV
I commit! Meredith from Flagstaff, AZ. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers,by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1 ESV
I commit! Anne from Madison, GA
But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard. Isaiah 52:12 NIV
I commit! Cindy South Jordan
“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! Maddy from Orange, CA. “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” Exodus 14:14 NIV
Isaiah 40:31 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.
NIV
Kim, St Charles MO. I commit. Psalm 25:1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; NIV
I commit! Helen from Dearborn. Finally, be strong in the Lord and 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! Amy from Richmond, VA:
“For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)
I commit! Kathy from West Tx
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and He will direct your path Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJ
Teach us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12, NIV).
I commit! Johnna from Cherokee, TX “Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.”
Psalm 143:1 NIV
I Commit! Michele from Columbus, OH
And what does the LORD require of You?
To act justly, love mercy and to walk
humbly with your God. Micah 6.8 NIV
I commit!! Shari of Apex, NC. Romans 8:1 KJV There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not in flesh, but after the SPIRT.
I commit! Cathy Smiley from Westminster, CO “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians 15:58 NKJ
I commit! Beth from Pueblo CO.
Hebrews 6:18b-19 NLT
Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.
I commit! Michell Burton from Spring TX : As a result of your ministry they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 2 Corinthians 9:13 NLT
Beth from Calgary AB Canada
I commit!
“In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.”
Psalm 25:1 NIV
I commit! Amy from Southaven, 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! Janelle from La Habra Heights, CA: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
I commit! Joyce, Scottsdale AZ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV
I commit! Gina from Gadsden, AL
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
NKJ Psalms 103:1
I commit! Shelagh from Tampa. “Peace I leave 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! Deborah from Pendleton, SC I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of your calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the Saints, and what is the surpri greatness of His power toward us who believe. Ephesians 1:18-19a NAS
Michelle Pritchard
Okeechobee, Florida
I commit!
Ephesians 3.20 NLT
Now all glory to God, who is able through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think!
BTW, this is my 4th SSMT.
I did this in 2011, 2013, 2015 and now 2017!!
However, I only finished it in 2011 and 2013!
Praying about being committed and being there to celebrate next January of 2018!
Great, Michelle!! So glad to have you back!
I commit! Cindy Overland Park, Kansas
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23.
NIV
Tracie, Boonsboro, MD. I commit! Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:14 ESV
I commit! Tina from San Antonio In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. Ps 25:1 NIV
Marcie, Concordia. I commit!
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh,for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. ” Galatians 5:16,17 ESV
I commit!
Wendy Karabensh from Vero Beach:
“For we are God’s handiwork,
created in Christ Jesus
to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10
NIV
I commit! Ginny from Hamden, CT
Proverbs 31:9
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
I commit! Michelle, Effingham, IL: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
II Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
I commit! Diane from Fairview, TN. “I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8 NASB
I commit! Sarah from Cypress, CA. “I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8 NASB
Psalm 46:10 NIV: Be Still and know that I am God
I commit! Taylor Todd from Fairfax, Virginia: “so is my word that 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.”
Isaiah 55:11 NIV