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!
” God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble ” Psalm 46:1
I commit! Jessica – Sugar Land, Texas: 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! Jeni- Mississippi
He has shown you, O mortal, 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
I commit! Tiffany, Gadsden, AL. “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
â€â€Psalms‬ â€139:14‬ â€ESV‬‬
I commit! Beth, Coon Rapids, MN
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV
I commit! – Tammy Gillmore from Charlotte, AR
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 – HCSB
I commit!
Heather, Sedalia, Alberta
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,
Ephesians 3:16-17, NIV
I COMMIT! Amy Black, Collin’s, Ms. . “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
Lamentations 3:24 ESV.
I commit!
Mari – Houston
If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness.
1 John 2:9 NIV
Verse 1
I commit! Janette, Lampasas, I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 NKJV
I commit! Lynn, New Smyrna Beach, fl.
I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NIV
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Gal 5:22-23 NIV
I commit! Lori from Perrysburg, Ohio “Show me your ways Lord, teach me your paths “. Psalm 95:4 NIV
I commit Deana from Leesville La: I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk on n truth. 3 John 1:4 KJV
I commit! Julie from Chesterland, Ohio
“Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God.”
1 Chronicles 22:19a ESV
Karen, Amarillo. To you,O LORD,I lift up my soul. Psalm 25.1 ESV
God is with her she will not fail. He will rise her up at break of day. Psalms 46:5 NIV
I commit from Mont. pleasant NC To you O Lord I will Lift up my soul. Psalm 25:1 NKJ.
Crystal from Shelby, NC I commit
Psalm 51:16-17
For you will not delight in sacrifice or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken and contrite heart O God you will not despise. ESV
I commit! Sharon A, Bridgeton,NC
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. NKJV
I commit! Me comprometo! Axa from Columbia,SC “He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will abide in the shadow of the almighty.” Psalm 91:1 ESV
I commit! Chyrll Vollmer from Cordova, Tennessee: “ But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.” Matthew 28:16 NASB
I commit! Aurora, from Midland, Texas: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 ESV
I commit!. Esther. Jonesborough, TN. Romans 15:13 ESV – May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in Hope.
I commit! Bonnie from Center Line, Mi: Those who know your name will trust in you, for you , Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 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. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Crystal from Kentucky-
I commit! “Let is not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV
I commit! Michelle, Ft. Wayne, Indiana: “Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying:” Matthew 22:1 NIV
I commit!! (I’ve been sick this past week and will be on it for next post.) Rachel from St. Louis, Missouri: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23 ESV
I commit! Becky from Hillsboro, OH
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! Sharon from Toronto, Ontario. Isaiah 40:31. but those who hope 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 be faint. NIV
I commit Heather from Placerville, Ca /O, Lord, open though my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. Psalm 51:15 KJV
I commit! Nancy Maddox from Crowley, Texas. “Now as to the times and epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you.” Thessalonians 5:1
I commit!! Karen Rowland from Durant, OK
“Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.”
Isaiah 41:10 MSG
I commit! Hanna from Charleston WV.:Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted,and your garments are motheaten. James 5:1-2 kjv
I commit! Jessica Thompson from Nacogdoches, Texas: “To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.” Psalms 25:1 NASB
I commit! Kim from Fort Worth, Texas. “Oh Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.” Psalms 139:1-2, NIV
I commit! Carolyn from Chicago
God is our refuge and strength, a trusted help in times of trouble.
Psalm 46:1 TLB
I commit! Suzanne Wolfe from Rochester,MI.”Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.” Psalm 71:18 NIV
I commit! Laura Beth, Wheat Ridge, CO
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord gives grace and glory; He does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity.” Psalm 84:11 NASB
I commit! Connie from Mooresville, NC – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 NIV
I commit! Teresa, Austin, TX
1 Corinthians 14:15 ESV
What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.
Hannah, Akron, OH
““For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.”
â€â€2 Corinthians‬ â€1:12‬ â€ESV‬‬
I Commit! Natalie Aurora, Illinois
“Brothers and Sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.
Phil. 4:8 (New Century Version)
I commit
Carol Hulin Kitchener, Ontario “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 NIV
I commit! Diane from Palominas, AZ- “Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is above rubies”. Prob.31:10, NKJV
I commit! Laurie from Blue Springs Mo. “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Melissa Teakell
Wichita, KS
NIV 84
John 4:13b-14
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,
but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will be come in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Oops! I commit!!
I commit! Trudy, from Milton,Ga. “In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.” PS. 25:1 NIV
I commit. DeAnna, Bakersfield, CA.
Therefore, if a cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Madter, prepared for every good work.
2 Timothy 2:21. NASB
I commit, Theresa from Crestwood, KY -Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then, you will be able to test, approve what God’s will is, His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2. NIV