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 !! Michele Bouve Hoffman of Winchester Virginia,
” Oh Lord, I give my life to You. I trust in You my God!
Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.”
Psalm 25:1-2
NLT
Brookshire, Texas
ESV
11 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love. and self discipline.”
I commit! Suzanne Reid, Louisiana. “Oh Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.” Ps 139:1 NLT
I commit! Cheryl from Black Diamond, WA. “If your heart is broken, you’ll find GOD right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.”
â€â€Psalm‬ â€34:18‬ â€MSG‬‬
I commit!
Kim, Argyle,TX, 1 Thessalonians 5:1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.
I commit! JoLynn from Kenai, Alaska “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3 NLT
I commit. 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
Houston, Texas
I’m committing to placing more Word on my heart <3
English Standard Version
Luke 10:27
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."
Leanne Anderson from Cloquet, Minnesota!
” All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV
I commit!!! Gini Gageby from Ayden, North Carolina
“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Colossians 3:13 NIV
Lisa from Waycross, GA
Donna from Albany, GA
I commit!! “I pray that God, the source of HOPE, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident HOPE through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NLT)
I commit!
Natalie from Ocala, Fl
Proverbs 31:10
Who can find a Virtuous Wife? For her worth is far above rubies
NKJV
Darlene, St Augustine, FL
Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, LORD, are good.
Psalms 25:7 NIV
I commit! Kristen from Frisco, TX. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” Eph 6:10 ESV
I commit! Denise, Greer, SC… “For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal , declares the Lord, because they have called you an outcast; it is Zion for whom no one cares!” Jeremiah 30:17, ESV
I commit, And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. I Romans 12:2 KJV Stigler Oklahoma
I commit! Praise theLord!For it is good to praise God;For it is pleasant,and praise is beautiful. Psalm 147:1 nkjv. Stigler ok
I commit! Peggy from Katy, TX “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD, not for men. Colossians 3:23
I commit!
Kim from Houston, TX.
“In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:1-3 ESV
I commit! Julie Elrod, Smyrna,GA: Lord may Your faithful love rest on us. Psalm 33:22 NIrV
I commit! Karin, Toronto Canada
“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” Romans 14:17 NIV
I Commit! Abi Welch, Luverne,AL “There is no fear in love; perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18 NKJV
I commit! Judy Stewart from Borrego Springs, Ca.
“He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30 NIV
NLT
Terra Brown from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
“I will not take what is yours and give it to the LORD. I will not present burnt offerings that have cost me nothing!”
1 Chronicles 21:24(b)
I Commit!
Anne Marie, Woburn, MA:
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 NIV
I commit! Christy Kirby from Plano, TX:
“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 with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Monica from Albemarle, NC
He is able!
Jude 1:24-25 NKJV
24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.
I Commit!
Dawn Staton, South Daytona, FL.
“Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift.”
2 Corinthians 9:15 ESV
I commit! Sarah Schoolcraft, Kingwood, Texas. “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 2:1 NIV
I commit
Melinda Benninger Marquette MI
Set a gaurd, I Lord, over my mouth
keep watching over the door of my lips!
Psalm 141:3 ESV
I commit
Jeanne Adams from Keller Texas
I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer i who live but Christ lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me. Galatians 2:20 NASB
I commit, Leesha Sullivan from Social Circle, Georgia.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NIV.
I commit. “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Psalm 100:4 Halle McCarver Tomball Texas
I commit! “Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked;from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity” (Ps. 64: 1-2 kjv) oklahoma
I commit!
ELA Lyon from Seminole Florida
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out all fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
1 John 4:18 ESV
I commit! Kay Savannah Ga
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary and what is unseen is eternal 2 orinthians 4:18 NIV
I Commit!
Sydney Newham from Tucson Arizona
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.
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
I Commit
Christy Bigler,Amarillo Texas
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives all liberty and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 KJV
I Commit. Rhonda Sanchez: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romand 15:13, NIV
I commit!! Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Deut. 31:6 (NIV)
John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” ESV
I commit! Joni from Port Neches, Texas: “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7 ESV
Psalm 32:8, ESV, I will instruct you and teach you on the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
I commit! Elisabeth from Salisbury, England: ‘But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.’ 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV
I commit: Sherri Autrey from Burnsville, NC.
“But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.” 2 Cor. 3:18. ASV
I commit!
Emily from Corpus Christi, Texas
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it” ISAIAH 30:21 NIV
I commit! Katie, from Karuizawa, Japan
Nevertheless the righteous will hold to (her) way, and (she) who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger. Job 17:9 NASB
I commit
Allison Lee from Lubbock, TX
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7
I commit! Marie Skipper of Granger, Tx. “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” James 1:4 NIV
Darlene, St Augustine, FL
All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
Psalms 25:10 NIV