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! JoAnne Casper, WY
I Commit! JoAnne, Casper, WY I lift up my eyes to the hill- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
Jessica Lance, Shelby, NC.
“And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”
1 John 2:17 NLT
Lisa Whittier, California I commit! When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3 NIV
I commit- Carlie Jefferson City, MO
“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”
-Psalm 86:11 NIV
Kayla from Trinway, OH
Proverbs 3:5-6 New International Version (NIV) 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.
I commit! Laura Coley, St. Petersburg, Florida.
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
– Psalms 73:25-26 NIV
Nicki, Worcester, UK: Psalm 137:6 HCSB
[6] May my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not exalt Jerusalem as my greatest joy!
Liz Myers, Smyrna, TN
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
I commit! Cindy, Cisco, Texas.
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1-2 NIV
I commit! Amy Switzer, Strathroy, Ontario
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. – Colossians 3:23-24
I commit! Angela Amilcare Mullica Hill NJ: “I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.” Psalm 9:1 NIV
I COMMIT!!!
Amber from Carl Junction, MO.
“Listen, it’s been a year since we called your attention to this opportunity to demonstrate God’s grace, so here’s my advice: pull together your resources and finish what you started. Remember how excited you were at first; it’s time to complete this task in the same spirit.”
2 Corinthians 8:11(VOICE)
MY DAUGHTER AUBREY COMMITS!
Aubrey from Carl Junction, MO.
“The Lord is good to those who put their hope in him.
He is good to those who look to him for help.” Lamentations 3:26 (ICB)
I commit! Amy from Crown Point,Indiana. “O Lord, you have searched me and known me!” Psalm 139:1 ESV
I commit. January 4,2017 5:48p.m.
Psalm 91:4 NIV
He will cover you with his feathers and under His wings you will find refuge. His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
I commit! Jamie from Delton Michigan
I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from?
Psalm 121:1 NIV
I commit! Natalie Gibb, Cypress, TX
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 1 Peter 4:7 ESV
I commit! Kerry from Glasgow Scotland “truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Psalm 62 v 1 NIV
Tracy Leary from Richlands, NC: I commit!
“Therefore, since through GodĘĽs mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.”
â€â€2 Corinthians‬ â€4:1‬ â€NIV‬‬
I commit. Teri from Houston. Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
I commit! Ashley from Marshalltown, Iowa: “To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;” Psalm 25:1 NIV
Alexis R Roswell (atlanta), GA
I commit!
Ephesians 1:3 (NIV)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Chrst .
I commit! Kathleen, Houston,Tx. James 1:5 (NIV)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
I commit! Lois McCoy, Rising Sun, MD
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
I commit! Yvonne Tankard, Bath, NC
Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.
Isaiah 43:18-19 MSG
Nanci, Albuquerque, NM: Ecclesiastes 3:11, ESV, He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cabbie find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.”
I commit. Nancy, Junction City, AR.
“Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:5 NKJ
I commit! Nancy from Roseville, CA:
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:”
Ephesians 1:1 ESV
I commit! Joyce, Wahpeton, ND. Ephesians 6:10 ESV. Finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
I commit. Heather from Cypress. Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion…Philippians 2:1 (NIV)
Shoreline
I commit!Want this to be my attitude toward unkindness done to me.
Colossians 3:12 (NASB)
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;”
I commit!!! Candis Oswalt South Bend IN
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 1 Thes 2:19 KJV
I Commit! Gwen from Waxhaw NC
“For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, ‘In repentance and rest you shall be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.’ But you were not willing, Isaiah 30:15 ESV
Guinevere from South Bend, IN
I commit!
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
I Commit! Sue from Kingsport, TN: “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.” Romans 15:13 NIV
Ephesians 3 verse 20 now all glory to God who is able through his mighty power at work within us to accomplish infinitely more then we might ask or think
I commit! Kathy Acton from Birmingham.
“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.” Ephesians 3:14-15 NIV
I commit. Sharon from Boerne, TX. Isaiah 25:1 (NIV)
“Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.”
I commit! Karol Sue from Brockport,NY ” But it is good for me to draw near to God:I have put my trust in the Lord God,that I may declare all thy works.” Ps. 73:28 KJV
I’m committed! Laura Hubbard from Apopka, “Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.” Hebrews‬ â€5:8, NLT
I commit! Jenna from Statesboro, Ga. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7 NIV ❤
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”
I commit! Laura from DeQuincy, LA.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV. “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.”
I commit! Diana from Lewis Center, Ohio
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NIV
Exodus 14:14 be still and the Lord will fight for you.
I commit! Tanya from Bonaire, Ga. ” I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekial 36:26
I commit! Emily from Oxford, PA
“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” Prov 29:25 ESV
I Commit! Stephanie from The Woodlands, TX.
“To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.” Psalm 25:1 NIV
I commit with my whole heart! <3
Carolyn from Macomb, Michigan–
"I have chosen you and not cast you off:
fear not, for I am with you: be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous
right hand" (Isaiah 41:9c-10)
I commit! Lisa Pauls, Lake Jackson TX
James 1:1: “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings.”
NIV