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!!
Carolyn from Myrtle Beach, SC
“You word is like a lamp that shows me the way. It is like a light that guides me.” Psalm 119:105, NIrV
Tasha
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
JOHN 15:4 ESV
I commit! Michelle, Houston, Texas
“I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.”
â€â€Psalms‬ â€91:2‬ â€KJV‬‬
I Commit! April Sandpoint, ID
“If possible, and to the extent that it depends on you, live in peace with all people.”
Romans 12:18 CJB
I commit! Nadine Naisbitt from Friendswood, TX
“But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)
I Commit! Mandy from Ruidoso, NM:”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.” Romans 8:28 NIV
Terrie from Lexington, TN. I Commit! 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
Hebrews 12:1 NIV
I commit! Deanna from Mansfield, TX: “Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new.” 2 Cor 5:17 (CEV)
I commit! Brianna from McKinney/Waco, Texas. “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 (not sure which version)
I commit Wendy from Gilbert,AZ. “Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.
Proverbs 4:4 NIV
I commit! Martha from Asheville, NC: “And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'” Rev. 21:5 ESV
I COMMIT! E
Mitzi Cordle from Brandon,Ms I commit! I Am with you, there’s no need to fear for I Am your God. I’ll give you strength, I’ll help you, I’ll hold you steady. For I Am The Lord your God who takes hold of you by your right hand and says to you, Do not fear. I’m not letting go. I Am right here to help you! Isaiah 41:10,13 NIV/MSG
I commit! Mary from Waco, TX: “He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.” Isaiah 40:11 NLT
I COMMIT! Tina Parmigiano of Barnegat, NJ
2 Samuel 22:33 NIV It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.
I commit! Lindsey Turley from Bowling Green, KY “Abide in me, and I in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” John 15:4 ESV
Joshua 1:8-9
Joshua 1:8-9
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
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.”
I commit! Elaine Siebe, Houston, TX. Isaiah 48:6 NIV
You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not admit them? “From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you.
“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
I commit!! Lisa,The Woodlands,Texas
Rejoice always,Pray without ceasing ,Give thanks in all circumstances ;for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)
I commit! Kristin from Sugar Land, TX: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3
I commit! Kim Crower from Columbia, SC: “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! Dana O’Keefe from Pace, FL
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:19 NIV
I commit – Emily Downing from Fareham, England
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Tim 1v7
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all anxieties on Him because He cares for you. NIV
I commit!
I commit! Mandy McIntosh from Odenville, AL:
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, for the promise of life in Christ Jesus: To Timothy, my dearly loved son. Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”
2 Timothy 1:1-2 (HCSB)
I Commit! Finally brothers,whatever is true,whatever is noble,whatever is right,whatever is pure,whatever is lovely,whatever is admirable,if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.Philippians 4:8 NIV
I commit! Kelly Topping from Dayton, Texas
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
I commit! Tessie. El Dorado Springs,MO
Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted on the earth. Psalm 46:10 NIV
I Commit! Pam Barrett from Newellton, Louisiana Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Proverbs 16:24 ESV
I commit! Amanda Beyerlein from Pflugerville, TX “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 NIV
I commit! Shelby from Shreveport, Louisiana: Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. Psalm 51:12 NIV
I commit! Barbara Dunton from Midland, Texas “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.”
1 John 5:13
ESV
I commit! Carmela Bendetta from Canton, Ohio, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:34 NIV
I commit! Katherine from Des Moines, IA: “To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.” Psalm 25:1 NASB
I commit!!! Laurie Hernandez
from Round Rock , Tx
~Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always~ 1 Chronicals 16:11
I commit! Tammy Holley, Sugar Land, TX
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
I commit! Marji King from San Diego, CA,”Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come.” 2Corinthians 5:17
Lancaster , Ca
NIV Exodus14;13
, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.
I commit! Melissa, US Air Force Academy, CO
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10, ESV
I commit! Sabrina from Kiln, Mississippi “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not prick figs from thronbushes, or grapes from briers.” Luke 6:43-44 NIV
I commit! Rachael Allen, TX Psalm 63:6 when I remember you upon my bed and mediate on you in the watches of the night;
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reaping we do not give up.” Gal.6:9 ESV
I commit! Round Rock, TX
I commit!
Barbara from Lakeland, FL
For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, Ephesians 1:15-16 ESV
I commit! Molly from St. Paul, MN. “Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.” Psalm 31:24 ESV
Toni from Dayton, Ohio.
I commit!
1 Thessalonians 5:18New King James Version (NKJV)
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
I commit! And this is the way to have eternal life-to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. John 17:3 NLT
Marie
I commit! Karen from Surrey, British Columbia: “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near” Phil 4:4-5 NIV
I commit! Megan Masterson from Mount Pleasant, SC; “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29, NIV
I commit! Lori Campbell from Woodbury, Tennessee:
“So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples.”
â€â€John‬ â€8:31‬ â€AMPC‬‬