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! Ashley Schroeder from Georgetown, TX “God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.” 1 Peter 1:2 NLT
I commit! Tami Norfolk, NE
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
â€â€Psalms‬ â€46:10‬ â€NKJV‬‬
I COMMIT!! Susanne Buckley, Boise Idaho. Jan.1 – 14, 2017
2 Tim. 2:4-6
No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the recruiter. Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops. HCSB
I Committ!!Denise,Davis,IL,”LORD, I give my life to you.”-Psalm 25:1 NLT
I commit! Amanda Vuckovich Rome,Ga “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory,after you have suffered a little while,will himself restore you and make you strong,firm and steadfast ” 1 Peter 5:10 NIV
I commit! RobinT from Spring Hill, TN. Lord you have searched me and known me. Ps 139:1 HCSB
I commit! Juli Hoon from Colorado Springs, Colorado Psalm 31:1 (ESV) In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me!
I commit! Alaina, Iowa City, IA. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
I commit! Krista, from Lima, Psalm 25:1 (NIV) “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;”
I commit! Lynda Longhurst, Canberra, ACT, Australia “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” Prov 31:10 NIV
I commit, Carol, Kersey, CO “In His hands is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:10 NIV
Count me in! Kristi from League City, Texas:”For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God. Romans 2:8 ESV
I Commit! Norma Collins, Holly, Michigan
” For I know the plans I have for you” declares THE LORD “Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. JER. 29:11
I commit!! Nancy, Marysville, PA, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” Luke 8:48 NLT
I commit!! Kristina Howard from Harker Heights, Tx
Since you are precious and honored in my sight and
because I love you…Isaiah 43:4a NIV
Beth Thrasher from Fort Hood, Texas. Whoever believes in Me, as the scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ John 7:38 ESV.
I commit! Pam Williams from Olive Branch, MS
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6 NIV
I commit! Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34. NIV
I commit! Holly from Tulia, Texas: “Oh Lord, I give my life to you.” Psalm 25:1
I commit! Carolyn, Terrace BC Canada
But whoever listens to me (wisdom) will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.
Proverbs 1:32 NIV
I commit!
Cindy Davis from Bryan, TX
“Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Matthew 7:7-8 HCSB
I Commit! Martha Franco from Montebello, CA: This is what the Lord says-your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ” I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17 NIV
I commit! Joy, CA. “If you love me you will keep my commandments. ” John 14:15, ESV
I commit! Jordan Lark from North Augusta, South Carolina. “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” â€James‬ â€1:12‬ â€NIV‬‬
I commit! Shannon from Pasco, WA
Oh Lord, you have searched me and known me!
Psalms 139:1, ESV
I commit! Jordan Wingate from Shreveport, Louisiana:
“Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”.
Romans 9:39 (KJV)
I commit! Lesley from Edinburgh, Scotland. “What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!” Matthew 10:27 NLT
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
-2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV
“In you, LORD my God, I put my trust.” NIV
I commit! Cynthia, Greenwood, SC
“The Lord will guide you always, He will satisfy your needs in a sunscorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Isaiah 58:11 NIV
I commit! Pamela, Milan, IL Jeremiah 29:11-14 ” 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. Then you will call upon me and pray to me. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and I will bring you back from captivity.” NIV
I commit. Linda Patterson Wolcottville IN
“Finally be strong in The Lord and in his mighty power.”
Ephesians 6:10. NIV
Randy Frost from Greenwood, La
I commit.
Teach me thy way, O LORD, I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
Psalms 86:11 KJV
Daniel 2:21-22
And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and raises up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those who have understanding.
He reveals deep and secret things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And light dwells with Him.
These are beautiful verses: thanks for sharing them.
I commit. Wendy from Blacksburg. “Do everything you say or do in the name of the Lord Jesus. Always give thanks to God the Father through Christ.” -Colossians 3:17 (NIrV)
Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.
Psalms 25:4 NIV
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. John 1:4 NIV
I Commit! Crystal from North Myrtle Beach, SC
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, and who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV
I commit! Diane from Houston, Texas: “The Lord bless you and keep you;” Numbers 6:24 NIV
Hernando Beach, Fl
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.
1Cor.16:13-14 NKJV
I Commit! Nicole Bamberg, Corsica, SD ” Remember that I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the LORD your God will be with you everywhere you go.
I commit!! Victoria from Chattanooga, TN. Eph 3:16-19: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” NIV
I Commit! Nicole Bamberg, Corsica, SD ” Remember that I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the LORD your God will be with you everywhere you go. (New Century Version)
I commit! 🙂 Beth from Wilmington, Ohio:
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 (AMP)
I commit! Rebecca Putman, Lexington Kentucky
Psalm 139:17 “How precious are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them.” NIV
I commit! Rita Harrison, Cantonment, FL. “Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
NASB
I commit! Tammy from Sacramento, California. “So do not fear,for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you in my righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:10
I commit!
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. ~ John 1:1-3 HCSB
I commit. From DFW.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my motherʼs womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
â€â€Psalm‬ â€139:13-16‬ â€NIV‬‬
I Commit! Kelly, Dover NH
Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
Matthew 6:1-2 (NASB)