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.
Norman, Oklahoma
Ephesians 4:23-24 NKJV
…Be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
I commit! Melissa V. from Richmond, CA:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.””
Joshua 1:9 NIV
In the day of my trouble I will call upon You,
For You will answer me. Psalm 86:7
I commit! Unto the O Lord, do I lift up my soul. Psalms 25 1 KJV
I commit! Liz from Austin, Texas. Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Psalm 143:8 NLT
I commit! Cathy from Birmingham, Alabama No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.
1Cor 10:13 NKJV
I commit! Kristine from Welland, Ontario, Canada. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV
I commit! Stephanie Parker, Pensacola, FL “In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.”
â€â€Psalm‬ â€25:1‬ â€NIV‬‬
I Commit! Jen from Stigler oklahoma…Praise the Lord! For it is good to
Sing praises to our God;For it is pleasant,
And praise is beautiful. Psalm 147:1 NKJV
I commit! Lisa G. from Memphis, TN
“Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works.” Psalm 119:27 ESV
I commit! Melanie from Fredericton, NB
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
â€â€Matthew‬ â€5:14-16‬ â€NIV‬‬
I commit! Lisa H from Georgetown, Texas.
Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God, and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would ask Him, and He woudl give you living water. John 4:10 HCSB
I commit! Kathy from Arvada, CO
“The Lord is my strength and my shield;in him my hearts trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.”
Psalm 28:7 (RSV)
I commit!
Sharon, Barrington
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 NIV
I commit! Brenda – Hudsonville, MI
” ‘For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit on your offspring and my blessing on your descendants.’ ”
Isaiah 44:3
I commit! Lanette in Corpus Christi, TX.
Assuredly,
Thus said the Holy One of Israel:
Because you have rejected this word,
And have put your trust and reliance
In that which is fraudulent and torturous –
Isaiah 30: 12
Jewish Publication Society Tanakh Translation
I commit,Terese Kay Marshfield wi
In the day of my trouble I
Will call to you,
For you will answer me.
Psalm 86:7
I commit! Janet from Houston, Texas. Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39 NIV
I commit! Jan Jensen from Waterloo, Iowa:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3 NIV
I COMMIT!!! Miriam from Toronto, Canada “Humble
yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,
that He may exalt you in due time.” 1 Peter 5:6 KJV
Barbara Severns, Boise, Idaho
O Lord, Thou hast searched me and known me.
Psalm 139:1 NASB
I’m committed! Sharon Davidson from Albuquerque, New Mexico,
““You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north.”
â€â€Deuteronomy‬ â€2:3‬ â€NIV‬‬
I commit! Andrea from Ruidoso, NM. “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!Ruth from Castro Valley CA Romans 12:1 NIRV
Brothers and sisters, God has shown you his mercy. So I am asking you to offer up your bodies to him while you are still alive. Your bodies are a holy sacrifice that is pleasing to God. When you offer your bodies to God, you are worshiping him in the right way.
Laura from Jefferson, Maine
I commit! Isaiah 40:9, ESV
Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion,
herald of good news;
Lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news;
Lift it up, fear not;
Say to the cities of Judah,
“Behold, your God!”
Izora Browning
I can do everything through him who give me strength. Phil4:13 NIV
I commit! Denise from St. Johns, FL, But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardships, do the work of evangelists, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5 NIV
I commit! Lani from Wilton, CA Ephesians 3:16 NIV I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power by his Spirit in your inter being.
I commit!! Laura Hardy from Blythewood, SC “In You, Lord my God, I put my trust.” Psalm 25:1 NIV
I Commit!!! Sandy from Clatskanie, OR
With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
Psalms 119:10 (KJV)
Carol from Cincinnati, OH
I commit!
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God. John 3:21 NIV
I commit! Nanette from Fredericksburg, Texas. “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.” Psalm 103:1
I commit!
Vicky from Phoenix, AZ: “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart You, God, will not despise.” Psalm 51:17 NIV
I commit!Mihaela from Riverside ,California
“You may ask Me for anything in my name ,and I will do it”John 14:14 NIV
I commit! Suzette from Fredericksburg, Texas. “I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name fro ever and ever.” Psalm 145:1
I commit!! Kim from Denver, Colorado. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage;do not be afraid , nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 NKJ
I commit! Allison Moldenhauer, Brenham, Texas: Philippians 1:1-4(NIV)
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
I commit! Eileen from Baltimore Maryland: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4, ESV
I comment! Lorie Harris, Columbia, SC “The land you are crossing to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drink rain from Heaven. It is a land the LORD your God cares for; the eyes of the LORD are continually on it from the beginning of its year to its end. Deut. 11:11–12 NIV
I commit! Angie Hall from Bloomington, IN: For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
I commit! Avis Buford from Ore City, Texas. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB
I commit!! Dianne from Leesburg, “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 (NLT)
I’m in! My mom and i are doing it together.
Proverbs 1:33 esv
But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.
I commit !! Debi, Alva, FL
The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV
I commit! Tara from Greensboro, NC
For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.
Deuteronomy 7:6 NIV
I COMMIT!!!! Jessica Gerber from Bellefonte, PA.
“So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11 NLT
I commit! Casey Hale, Roanoke, Texas – “I offer my life to you, Lord.” Psalm 25:1, CEB
I committ! Laurie B. From Mariposa, CA. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” – Romans 8:1 ESV
I commit! Denise, Asheville, NC –
1 Chronicles 29:11 (ESV)
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.
I commit! Christy, Cape Girardeau, MO: Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5 NIV 1984