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! Theresa from Cheyenne, Wyoming: “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” 1John 5:11 ESV
I commit Susan from OP Kansas: But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23, ESV
This entry speaks to me in such a mighty way. .
Just last February I was asked to read it at my dear friend’s celebration of life. . I had not seen it before then. . I’m now in the season of realiving her last days this time last year. . and seeing this scripture here is as if God is allowing her to speak to me from Heaven. thank you! Praise HIM!!
I commit! Natalie from Germantown, TN “In you, LORD my God, I put my trust.” Psalm 25:1
I COMMIT! Kaley from Morgantown, WV: Keep thy tongue from evil and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. Psalms 34:13-14, KJV.
Keerstin from Ontario, Canada.
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Revelation 4:11 NIV
I commit! Darcey from Sugar Land, TX: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
Angela, Shelbyville, IN
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. ~2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)
I commit! “LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered — how fleeting my life is. Psalm 39:4 NLT
I commit! Elize Rudolph from Secunda, South Africa
But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 AMP
I commit! Macy, from Murfreesboro, TN : “In the morning, Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait expectantly.” Psalm 5:3 NIV
I commit. Kristi- Clovis, Ca
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 NIV
Kerri LeBarre from Pembroke, MA: 2 Thes 3- 1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”
ESV Like you Beth!! 🙂 <3
I commit! Sarah from NC: 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
Darlene, St Augustine, FL
Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.
Psalms 25:6. NIV
I commit! Karen Chumchal Holland, Ohio “I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak of his praises.” Psalm 34:1 NLT
I will committ!! Jill from Raleigh, NC.
Jonah 2:6 (NLT)
I sank down to the very roots of the mountains.
I was imprisoned in the earth,
whose gates lock shut forever.
But you, O Lord my God,
snatched me from the jaws of death!
I commit! Connie from Shipshewana, Indiana: And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? Matthew 6:27 NASB
I commit!! What, then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31 ESV
Janet Reeves from Belton, TX: “We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the end.” Hebrews 3:14 NIV
Jennifer from Cincinnati, OH. I commit! Psalm 139:1 ” O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.” NIV
I commit! Crystal from Ft.Myers, Florida: 1 Peter 3: 1,2
1Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2when they see your respectful and pure conduct. ESV
I commit! Donna from Dallas, Georgia: The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27 NIV
I commit! “This very day God, your God, commands you to follow these rules and regulations, to live them out with everything you have in you. You’ve renewed your vows today, that God, is your God, that you’ll live the way he shows you; do what he tells you in the rules, regulations and commandments and listen obediently to him.” Deuteronomy 26:16-17 The Message
I commit! Gabriella from London, UK: “I will put none of the deseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.” Exodus 15:26
I commit! Gabriella from London, UK: “I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.” Exodus 15:26
Melissa Stauffer
Centreville, Michigan
Now May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NKJV
I commit!
I commit! Traci Indlecoffer ~Vadnais Heights MN
“But the land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven. It is a land the Lord your God cares for; the eyes of the Lord your God are continuously on it from the beginning of the year to its end.”
Deuteronomy 11:11-12 (NIV)
I commit! Angela from Newnan, Georgia: “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:” Prov. 3:3 KJV
Kim Amestoy from Lake Worth, Florida “And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling where God lives by His Spirit.”Ephesians 2:22 NIV
Let’s do this! ” The path of the righteous is like the first light of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” Proverbs 4:18, NIV Study Bible
I commit!
Dawnita from North Charleston, SC
I am nearing the finish line in my efforts to memorize Psalm 119 (NLT).
v. 153-160
Resh
Look upon my suffering and rescue me,
for I have not forgotten your instructions.
Argue my case; take my side!
Protect my life as you promised.
The wicked are far from rescue,
for they do not bother with your decrees.
Lord, how great is your mercy;
let me be revived by following your regulations.
Many persecute and trouble me,
yet I have not swerved from your laws.
See how I love your commandments, Lord.
Give back my life because of your unfailing love.
The very essence of your words is truth;
all your just regulations will stand forever.
I commit! Terry, Jasper, Georgia, commits to memorize Colossians 1:1-29.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother. To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colossae. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Col 1:1-2 NKJV
I commit! Jessica from North Canton, Ohio: Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. -Psalm 16:11 KJV
I commit: Page from England, UK. Remember ye not the former things, neither consider things of the old. Behold I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; Shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert KJV
January 7, 2017 I commit! Cathy, Houston, TX. Ephesians 4:32 ” Be kind and helpful to one another, tender hearted, (compassionate, understanding), forgiving one another (readily and freely), just as God in Christ also forgave you.” Amp.
I commit Lori from Ohio “no one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. ” Psalm 25:3 NOV
Amy – Alva, FL
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phillipians 4:7 – NIV
I commit! Julia from Bloomington Indiana “Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.” Psalm 33:1 ESV
I commit! Brenda, Glenwood, MD. 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 NAS
I commit! Jacque Brandenburg from China Springs, TX
“In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.”. PSsalm 25:1 NKJ
I commit! Renee from Austin, TX
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:16
I COMMIT! Teresa from Walla Walla, “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD is the one who goes before you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT
I commit! Denise from LaGrange Before they call, I will answer; While they are still speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:25 NIV
I commit! Grace from LaGrange
“Behold, I have inscribed you on the palm of my hands… I will not forget you.” Isaiah 49:15 NIV
I commit – Jackie from Rockwall, TX: The Good Samaritan: On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke 10:25, NIV
And my God will supply every need of mine according his riches in glory in Christ Jesus
Philippians 4:19 NIV
I committ! Vicki from Cobde, IL.
Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.
Matthew 14:27. ESV
I committ! Karin Peters from College Station, Tx. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NIV
M.H. Redwood City, CA
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:2
NASB
I commit, Nancy from Illinois. Youths may faint and grow weary, and young men stumble and fall. but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:30-31 HCSB