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! Bethany from Waco, Tx
“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8″ (ESV)
I Commit! Angie from Temple, NH
“Since ancient times no one has heard, nor ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you who acts on behalf of those who wait for him?” Is. 64:4 NIV
“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.””
Hosea 6:3 ESV
I commit! Cindy,Houston, TX: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” NIV
Oops! Romans 8:28
I commit! Melissa from Blairsville, GA
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.” Psalm 143:8(NIV)
I Commit! Mary from Livonia, Michigan
However, as it is written:
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him”
I Corinthians 2:9 NIV
I commit! Jennifer from Simms, TX
You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid, say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!”
Isaiah 40:9 NIV
I commit! Wendy, Palmyra, PA: 1.”Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
Psalm 51: 1-2 NIV
I commit! Amy from Hendersonville, NC. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”
I commit! Kerri, Kansas City, MO. My brothers and sisters, do not show predjudice if you possess faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. James 2:1, NET
I Carla from Brighton, IL – Ask and it will be given to you, Seek and you will find, Knock and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 NIV
I commit! Karen from Versailles, KY
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
2 Timothy 3:16 NIV
I COMMIT! Cornelia from Haddonfield NJ
Praise the LORD O my soul, all my inmost being praise his holy name. Psalm 103 NIV
I commit! Leigh Ann from Eudora, KS. I look up to the mountains- does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth! Ps 121:1-2 NLT
I commit! Kim from Summerfield, NC
But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up like wings of eagles, they shall run and not be weary. Isaiah 40:31NKJV
I commit! (a little late because I’m out of the country…)
Rebekah from Reedley, California
“Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, ‘don’t be afraid; just believe.'” – Mark 5:36 NIV
I commit! Shannon Clark, Fredericksburg VA
“The Sovereign Lord has given me a well instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He awakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.”. Isaiah 50:4 (NIV)
Had to say hello ! I am in Fredericksburg , too! Blessings !
I commit! Julie Speyer from Madison, GA
To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
Psalm 25:1 NIV
I commit! Kaye Hurta from Chicago, IL “From my distress I called upon the Lord; The Lord answered me and set me in a large space.”
Psalm 118:5 NASB
I commit! -Mary Lynn from Hudson, Ohio
I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.- Psalms 34:1 NIV
I commit! Tese Stephens from Blountville, TN
“everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Isaiah 43:7 ESV
I commit! Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 HCSB
I commit! Deb Brown, Becker, MN
“You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “And my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me. Isaiah 43:10 ESV
I commit! Traci, Moore, OK “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7 NKJV
Luz, Pembroke Pines, FL
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 HCSB
I commit! Shelly Yoes from Nixa, Mo.
All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that all God’s people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy3:16-17 (TNIV)
I commit! Susan Phaneuf of Berryville, Va “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.””
John 7:38 NIV
Melba Groves, Minooka, IL I commit! “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” 3 John 2 NIV
I commit! Shannon Parum, Stephenville, TX The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want. Psalms 23: 1 NKJV
I commit! Heather Bryant, Kennesaw, GA
“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalms 139:9-10 (NIV)
I commit! Rosa, Sulphur Springs,TX. Isaiah 43:19 HCSB “Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”
I commit! Lori from Urbandale, IA “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! Cathy from Rhinebeck, New York: At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: ‘O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Matthew 11:25 NLT
I commit!
Evangeline, Loveland, Colorado
“Let us come before His presence with
thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him
with psalms.”
Psalms 95:2 NKJV
Try this again…. I commit!
“Oh come, let us sing to the LORD!
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.”
Psalms 95:1-2 NKJV
I commit!!
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!! Sharon DeWitt from Shreveport Louisiana
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:10 NIV
I commit! Sarah from Maryville, TN. “In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.” Psalm 25:1 (NIV)
I commit. Beverly, Vicksburg,MS
Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Psalm 32:1 NIV
I commit! Sabrina Brown from Baltimore, Maryland: “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalms 34:1 ESV
I commit! Cassandra from Colorado Springs, Colo.: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
I commit! Maytee from Miami, Florida.
“My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled.” psalm 17:5
I commit! Trudi Tedrick from Lynchburg, OH
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8
Shirley, Quito, Ecuador.
“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”
Isaiah 40:11 NIV
I commit!!Janice, from Nixa, Mo.
Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”
I commit! Rachel, Columbia, SC “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2, NIV
I commit! Sarah from Daysland, Alberta. ‘ 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! Anne Lewis from Simpsonville, SC: “From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy, our brother, to the saints, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ, at Colossae. Grace and peace to you from God our Father!” Colossians 1:1-2 NET
I Commit! Robin from Leo, IN: “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 NIV84
I commit! Michelle from Surrey, BC: “But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the river bank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither and they prosper in all they do.” Psalm 1:2-3 NLT
I commit! Michelle from Newnan, Georgia. A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great. Provers 18:16 (NIV).