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! Lori from Arkadelphia, AR. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 NIV
I commit!! Summer S from Castle Rock, CO.”Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 (NASB)
I commit! Katherine from Nipomo, Ca. “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.” Proverbs 27:2 NIV
Julee from Novi MI
I commit! Psalm 90:14 Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. NLT
I commit!❤ “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 grow faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NIV
I commit! Chelsea-belle from Atlanta, Georgia: “ The spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness the blind.” Isaiah 61 : 1 NIV
I commit! Reesa from Wilmington NC, “But now, says the Lord–the one who created you, Jacob, the one who formed you, Israel: Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine” Isaiah 43:1 CEB
I commit! Marsha, Knoxville, TN 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! Phyllis, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing (through the experience of your faith) that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope. Romans 15:13 Amplified Bible Classic Edition.
I commit! Grace from Sandy, UT. “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
I commit! Sherry, Wilmington Ohio: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NASB
I commit! Täni Jansen from Lake Oswego, OR: “I will extol You, my God, O King; and I will bless Your name forever and ever” Psalm 145:1 NKJV
I commit. “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20 NKJV. Dawn Lucy Steele, Al.
he heals the brokenhearted and binds up there wounds psalm 147;AMP.
I commit! Lynda C from Wichita Falls Texas Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
I commit! Shaunthea from McCordsville, Indiana: “I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.” Psalms 34:1 NLT
I commit! Britt from Tucson, AZ
“And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in tongues of men and angels, but have not love I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” 1Cor 13:1 NIV
I COMMIT!!! Maria Dickerson Whitmire, SC
Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
Psalm 62:8 NKJV
I commit! Lu in Cincy “rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer” Romans 12:12 New American Standard
I commit! Carol from Fort Worth, TX. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 NKJV
Rhonda from Staunton VA
I commit! I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh
Ezekiel 11:19 NIV
God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church.
Which is his body,the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Ephesians 1:22-23 NIV
I commit!! Amy from Middletown, Delaware, Psalms 34:1 – “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” NIV
Jamie, Crossett, AR
Psalm 35:1 ” Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me ; Fight against those who fight against me.”
Psalm 35:1 NKJV
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.””
â€â€John‬ â€8:12‬ â€NIV‬‬
http://bible.com/111/jhn.8.12.niv
I commit! Cheryl from Snellville, GA: “Lord, I seek refuge in you; let me never be disgraced. Save me by your righteousness.” Psalm 31:1 HCSB
I commit! Susan from Atlanta, GA: “Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1 ESV
Roni – Demopolis, Alabama: “20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.” Jude 20 – 21 NASB
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
he heals the brokenhearted And binds up there wounds(healing there pain and comforting there sorrow)Psalm 147;3 AMP.
I commit! Carrie B. from Princeton, MN
“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.” Psalm 25:1 ESV
I commit! Jacqueline from LA: “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” Romans 12:2 (NLT)
I commit! “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever” Psalm 30:11-12 NIV
I commit! Sharon from Tucson
“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 (NLT)
“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
Translation is NIV..
I committ!! Tanya Isley, Raleigh, NC
Galatians 6:9 ESV
” And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Tammy Grant, Jackson, Tn
I commit! 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
Hi Tammy! Great to be doing SSMT together!
Lynne from Richmond, VA. I commit! Psalm 25:1 “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;”
Psalm 25:1 ESV
I commit! “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever” Psalm 30:11-12 NIV
I commit! Alyssa from Sealy, TX. “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:2-3 NIV
I commit! Amy, Mount Dora, FL
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
Psalm 90:12 ESV
I commit! Delite from Westpoint, IN
Psalms 121:1 “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come?” NASB
I commit! Kristen from Temple, Tx: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 NIV
I commit! Rebecca varnold. Waterloo, Iowa.
“By day the Lord decrees his loyal love, and by night he gives me a song, a prayer to the living God.”
Psalms 42:8 NET
I commit! Romona Smith from Rosewood Heights IL:
Finally, be strengthened in The Lord and in the strength of His Power. Ephesians 6:10 NET
I commit! Debbie Weaver, Cumming, Ga. “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18 NIV
I commit!! Louise from Irvine, CA.
Matthew 11:28 (NIV) “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Sharon fromVan TX.I commit! “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
Julie C. Fort Wayne, IN I commit! Proverbs 17:22 NIV A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
from Beverly of Fairhope, AL
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” NIV