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 committ! Linda from Waxahachie, TX. “Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied unto you.” Jude 1:2 NKJV
I commit! Mary Owen from Ruston, Louisiana. “His ruling authority will grow, and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness He brings. He’ll rule from the historic David throne over that promised kingdom. He’ll put that kingdom on a firm footing and keep it going with fair dealing and right living, beginning now and lasting always. The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies will do all this.” Isaiah 9:7 MSG
I commit! Lisa Howard from Rollingstone, Minnesota: “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
I commit!
Psalm 139:1 (HCSB)
Lord, You have searched me and known me.
I commit! Ann from Canton, GA “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
I Commit ! Lonni from Cypress, TX. “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16, NIV
I commit! Wren Davis from Dublin, Ohio: Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is you strength. Isaiah 30:15 NLT
I commit! Shelly from Rochester, MN. 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! Erin from Dover, Ohio
“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;” Psalm 25:1 NIV
Deuteronomy 30:20A NIV
And that you may love the Lotd your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life….
I Committ Jennifer from Baytown TX “No one’s ever seen or heard anything like this, Never so much as imagined anything quite like it— What God has arranged for those who love him.” 1 Cor 2:9 Msg
I commit! Julie Brighton, Mo And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:7
I commit! Margaret Harris from Wyandotte, MI. Psalm 91:1. Whoever dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.NIV
Loris, SC
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.
Phil 4:6 NLT
I commit!
Christine ~ Spring Hill, TN:
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! Laura Garry from Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV)
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
I commit! Shelley from Brigham City, UT
“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 ESV
I commit! Jennifer from Macomb, Michigan. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” New International Version.
I commit! Joy Martin from LaGrange, GA: “the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” Jeremiah 31:3 ESV
I commit! Rhonda from Burkburnett, Texas.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High,
will abide in the shelter of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1ESV
I commit!! Amy from Neoga, IL
“But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.” Titus 2:1 NASB
Sherry from Jay, OK “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 (NIV)
I commit!
Kirby from Parsons, KS
I commit! “So whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
I Corinthians:10:11 NIV
I commit! Kara from Prineville, Oregon. One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountain side and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them. Matthew 5:1-2 NLT
I commit! Peggy Miles from Jackson, Michigan:
1) God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways,
2) in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. Hebrews 1:1-2 (NASB)
I Commit! Eileen from Columbia, SC ‘Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion’ Philippians 2:1 NASB
I commit! Suzanne from New Braunfels Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money come buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Isaiah 55:1 NIV
I commit! Heather Miller from Greensburg, Louisiana: Let your eyes look directly forward,and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
Proverbs 4:25-27 (ESV)
set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2 NIV
I commit! Carissan from Peachtree City, Georgia. “But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 Amplified Bible
I commit! Shelly from Asheville, NC. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 ESV
Rita Quinlan – Alva, Florida
“The Lord your God is with you; He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will cover you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephania 3:17 – NLT
Holly, Prairie City, Iowa. I have a lofty goal of memorizing all of Psalm 119 this year.
How happy are those whose way is blameless, who live according to the Lord’s instruction! Happy are those who keep His decrees and seek Him with all their heart. They do nothing wrong; they follow His ways. You have commanded that Your precepts be diligently kept. If only my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes! Then I would not be ashamed when I think about all Your commands. I will praise You with a sincere heart when I learn Your righteous judgments. I will keep Your statutes; never abandon me.”
â€â€Psalms‬ â€119:1-8 HCSB‬‬
Merle Berry. Carlsbad, NM
I commit. Unto the Lord, do I lift up my soul. Psalms 25:1 KHV
I commit! Erin Holcomb from Waynesville, Georgia “So because of Christ, I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in catastrophes, in persecutions, and in pressures. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10 CBS
Delinda Neville from Alliance, Nebraska “Look at thebirds of the air. They neither reap nor sow nor
Gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:26
I’m Annette from Copperas Cove, Texas. “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
I commit!! Aasa from Holley, New York: “In You, O Lord, do I put my trust and seek refuge; let me never be put to shame or{have my hope in You} disappointed; deliver me in Your righteousness!” Psalm 31 AMP
I Commit! Debra Bowling from Guthrie OK> O Lord, your are my God, I will exalt you and praise
Your name. For in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.
Isaiah 25:1 NIV
I commit! Rita from Florence, SC. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13 NKJV
I commit! Marybeth from Macclenny, Florida “In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.” Psalm 25:1 NIV
I commit! Mabelle, Bronx,NY. “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.”
I commit! Bria from Columbus, IN: “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.” Psalm 22:1 ESV
I commit! Susan from Galax, VA. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NIV
I commit! Emily, Greensburg, LA
But Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. Jeremiah 17:7 NLT
I commit! Christina from Cypress, Texas. So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 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
Susannah from Houston, Texas
Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
Matthew 7:13
I commit! Becky from Lawrenceville, GA
“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;” Psa 63:1 KJV
I commit! Janet Williams from Bradenton, Florida- “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
I commit! Donna Warner from LaVernia, Tx. In the multitude of my thoughts, within me thy comforts delight my soul. Psalm 94:19 KJV