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: Jan from South Carolina. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1Peter 4:10-11 esv
Devra Wooten from Houston Texas area : I commit! “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them, he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” Psalms 34:17-18 ESV
I commit! Trudy, Pisgah Forest, NC 1 To You, O Lord,
do I lift up my soul. Psalm 25:1 MEV
I Commit! Heather, Tawas, MI
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! Jessica Jean Solid, Atlanta GA
“James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:Greetings.” James 1:1 (NKJV)
I commit! Sarah Miller from Dallas, Texas: “O LORD, you have searched me and known me.” Psalm 139:1 ESV
Caroline from Houston, TX
Come and see the works of God, Who is awesome in His deeds towards the sons of men.
Psalm 66:5 NASB
I commit! Stacey Vicenti from Albuquerque, NM, “But those who trust in the Lord will find bew strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” ISAIAH 40:31 NLT
I commit! Jo Anne from Chicago, IL
He makes sure that orphans and widows are treated fairly; he loves the foreigners who live with our people, and gives them food and clothes.
Deuteronomy 10:18 GNT
I commit! Gale from Chico, CA
46-Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47-praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:46-47 NIV
I commit! Susan Hartsfield from Austin, TX
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16 NIV
Liz Keller, Texas
I commit!
James 1:22 “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” NASB
I commit! Nicole from Staten Island, NY : “You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Izora Browning
The Lord is my rock, myfortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my strength. Ps.18:2 NIV
I commit! Aryn Madsen from Beaverton, OR: “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?” Philippians 2:1 NLT
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
For I trust in you.
Show me the way I shall go for to you I entrust my life.
NIV
Janette
Estes Park, CO
I commit! Megan King from St. Louis, MO. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” – Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Ashley G. (I commit!!) from Orlando, FL
“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2:14-15
I COMMIT!!
Gail G from Pittsburgh,PA
Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
Matthew 8:20
NIV
I Commit!
Sharon, Newport News, VA
Hebrews 4:14:
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ESV
Karen Mceathron ( Oconomowoc Wisconsin)
Teach me your way Oh Lord and I will walk in your truth,give me a undivided Heart that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11 NIV
I commit! Debi from Emmett MI
“I will extol Thee my God, O King; And I will bless Thy name forever and ever.
Psalm 145:1 NASB
I commit!
Carol
Carthage, NY
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11(NKJV)
I commit! Sara Jane from Birmingham AL,
The LORD will work out his plans for my life… Psalm 138:8. NLT
I commit! Lora Brobst from Hiawatha, KS:
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. Psalm 25:1 ESV
I commit! Emily Frame from Trophy Club, TX. “For you, oh God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.” Psalm 61:5 ESV
I commit! Jackie from Pensacola, FL. NIV . Romans 2:1:You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
I commit! Denea from Jefferson City, MO
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
Psalms 139:1
I commit. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2 NKJV
I commit! Karen from Elgin, Tx. You have searched me, Lord and you know me. Psalm 139:1 NIV
I commit! Joy Hand, Clarksville: Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NLT
I commit! Becca from Nacogdoches, TX: Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23 NIV
I commit! Roanne in McGregor Texas. May the God of hope fill you with 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
I commit! Meredith from Cleveland OH
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Luke 2:52 (NIV)
I commit! Lyndsey, Asheville, NC
This is my first one!
“And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye.”
â€â€Deuteronomy‬ â€32:10‬ NKJV
I commit! Regina from Ridgeland, MS: A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22 NIV
I commit! Janice from Kampala, UG: May the favour of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90: 17 NIV
Charlotte from East Africa
So, as a prisoner for the Lord, I beg you to live the way God’s people should live, because he chose you to be his. Eph 4:1 ERV
I commit! Rhonda from Hayward, CA: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 KJV
Carla from Phoenix,AZ. I commit!
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ESV
Ephesians 6:10-11 ESV
I commit! Kimberley,Seattle, WA : “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming”. (1 Peter 1:13, NIV)
I commit! Sherri Penkacik from Hollis, NH. “Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established.”
Proverbs 16:3 NASB
I commit! Anna Frances Robinson from Jackson, MS.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3 NIV
I commit: Linda from Harrison, AR. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalms 23:1 NKJV Prais God!
I commit! Patsy Valenziano, Pleasanton, Ca “Show me your ways O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
I commit! Karla from Fort Bridger, WY. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5 esv
I commit! Amy from Arlington, VA: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in he shadow of the Almighty.” Psalms 91:1 ESV
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 KJV
I commit! Kristi from Moira. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9 ESV
Darlene, St Augustine, FL
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalms 25:5 NIV