SSMT 2017: Verse 1!

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.

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5,413 Responses to “SSMT 2017: Verse 1!”

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Comments:

  1. 4301
    Vicki says:

    Vicki, Ozark, Alabama.
    For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Romans 5:19 NKJV

  2. 4302
    Jamie, Kingston, OK says:

    I COMMIT. “Oh Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me”. Psalm 139:1
    NLT

  3. 4303
    Naty Alons says:

    I commit! Naty Alons, Las Vegas, Nv
    KJV ” For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”
    (col 3:3)
    KJV ” There is no fear in love;but perfect love casteth out fear:
    because fear hath torment.He that hath feareth is not made
    perfect in love. (1 John 4-18)
    KJV ” We love him, because he first loved us. ” (1John 4:19)

  4. 4304
    Lori says:

    I commit! Lori From fergus falls MN
    Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands , as unto the Lord. Eph 5:22 KJV

  5. 4305
    Mildred says:

    I commit! Mildred Chalmers, St. Peters, Montserrat.

    Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.Psalms 37:5 KJV

  6. 4306
    Karen says:

    Karen from Fruit Heights, Utah
    Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12. NIV

  7. 4307
    KIm Robbins says:

    I commit! Kim Robbins, San Diego, CA.
    “Praise the Lord my soul, all my inmost being, praise his holy name.” Psalm 103:1NIV

  8. 4308
    Jean Parker says:

    I commit! Jean from Glenmora, Louisiana

    Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set you hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 1 Peter 1:13 (NIV)

  9. 4309
    Karen Kingston,OK says:

    I commit.

    Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him

  10. 4310
    Christy Brey says:

    I Commit!! Christy from Jackson, Mo. ‘Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’ Romans 12:21

  11. 4311
    Ashton says:

    I commit! Ashton from Birmingham, Alabama ““I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.” Hosea‬ ‭6:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

  12. 4312
    Wendi McPike says:

    I Commit! Wendi McPike from Kennebunkport, ME
    “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”
    I Peter 5:7 NIV

  13. 4313
    Tanya says:

    I commit! Tanya, Whitewater, KS
    “I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.”
    Psalm 7:17, NIV84

  14. 4314
    Patricia Egbert says:

    Patti Egbert, Brush Prairie, WA

    (I commit)

    “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:32 (NIV)

  15. 4315
    Beh says:

    I commit! Beth, Pearland, Texas.

    NASB Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

  16. 4316
    Nancy Small says:

    I commit! Nancy Small from Lorena, TX

    Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens

    Psalm 68:19 TNIV

  17. 4317
    Carmella Culp says:

    I commit! Carmella Culp from Elgin Texas: “It is the Lord’s blessing that brings wealth, and no hard work can add to it.” Proverbs 10:22 ERV

  18. 4318
    Stephanie Hair says:

    I commit! Stephanie Hair from St. Matthews, SC
    “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto thee” Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

  19. 4319
    Kimberly says:

    I commit! Kimberly from Southlake, Texas.
    Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

  20. 4320
    Valerie says:

    I commit! Valerie from Pflugerville, Texas

    Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5, NIV

  21. 4321
    Sandra from Fort Worth says:

    I commit:

    Matthew 6:33 New Living Translation (NLT)

    33 Seek the Kingdom of God[a] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

    Helps me keep an eternal perspective

  22. 4322
    Jennifer Ventura, CA says:

    Matthew 26:64
    “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you:In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” NIV

  23. 4323
    Virginia Atlanta, GA says:

    ” On the day that the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, the opposite occurred, in that the Jews themselves overpowered those who hated them.” Esther 9:1b NKJV

  24. 4324
    Amy Coxhead says:

    I COMMIT! Amy, Fort Collins, CO
    “My hand will sustain him; surely my arm will strengthen him.”
    Psalm 89:21, NIV

  25. 4325
    Anna Lisa says:

    I commit! Anna Lisa, Breaux Bridge, La. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
    1 John 5:14 NIV
    (This is a re-post since I couldn’t find mine.)

  26. 4326
    Ruth says:

    Ruth from Belleville, IL
    “Many more believed because of His word; and they were saying to the woman,
    ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.'” John 4:41,42

  27. 4327
    Kerri says:

    Good afternoon from Pembroke, MA
    “For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
    ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭6:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬
    http://bible.com/59/2co.6.2.
    Go Pats‼

  28. 4328
    Sylvie Nicol says:

    Sylvie Nicol Hiebert, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada ♥

    1 Timothy 6:18 (ESV)

    They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share

  29. 4329
    Jennifer Miller says:

    I commit! Jennifer, Many: “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10 ESV

  30. 4330
    Tesa says:

    Tesa, Perry, GA

    I commit!
    For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self control.
    2 Timothy 1:7 NET

    • 4330.1
      Liesel says:

      This statement of truth has kept me grounded in praying for my kids and deciphering emotions from reality! Excited for this to be written on your heart, sis!

  31. 4331
    Andrea says:

    I commit! Andrea from Yorktown. “Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Isaiah 53:1 ESV

  32. 4332
    Rebecca Plunk says:

    I commit. Rebecca Plunk from Fort Worth, TX

    O LORD, Thou has searched me and known me.
    NAS Psalm 139:1

    How awesome that God knows me so intimately!!

  33. 4333
    Dawn Regner says:

    I commit! Dawn from San Diego, CA. “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 1 Timothy 1:7 NIV

  34. 4334
    Kelly Rogers says:

    I commit! Kelly Rogers from Andrews, TX

    The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
    Psalm 23:1 NIV

  35. 4335
    Liesel says:

    I commit!! (Even though I’m late to the party!!:))

    Liesel from Houston, TX

    “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presences of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

    2 Timothy 2: 1-2 ESV

  36. 4336
    Linda from Austin says:

    Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go.” Isaiah 30:21 NIV

  37. 4337
    Mary Gray says:

    I commit – Mary Gray from Fieldale, VA: “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Luke 1:45

  38. 4338
    Debra Rountree says:

    I commit! Debra from Coppell, TX. His divine powers has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness 2 Peter 1:3 NIV ’84

  39. 4339
    Lily Green says:

    I commit. Lily Green from Wiesbaden, Germany

    “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19 (NIV)

  40. 4340
    Rebecca Murphy says:

    I commit! Rebecca eagle point, OR
    “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13 ESV

  41. 4341
    Candy Westlund says:

    I commit! Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

  42. 4342
    Mayela Parsons says:

    I commit!, Mayela Parsons from Tamaha, Oklahoma. 2 Lávame más y más de mi maldad, Y límpiame de mi pecado. 8 Hazme oír gozo y alegría, Y se recrearán los huesos que has abatido. Salmo 51:2, 8 Reina-Valera60
    (2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. 8 Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. Psalm 51.2,8)

  43. 4343
    Lisa says:

    I commit! Lisa from Batesville MS.
    With a free will offering I will sacrifice to thee;
    I will give thanks to thy name, O Lord, for it is good.
    RSV Psalm 54:6

  44. 4344
    Cindy Lamb says:

    I commit! Cindy Lamb from Senatobia,MS. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Ephesians 6:10 NKJ

  45. 4345
    Kim Malone says:

    I commit! Kim Malone from Naperville, Illinois “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 NLT

  46. 4346
    Kim Lucas says:

    I commit! Kim from Oklahoma City
    Psalm 31:14-15 NIV
    But I trust in you, Oh LORD;
    I say, “You are my God.”
    My times are in your hands;
    Deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.

  47. 4347
    Heather says:

    I commit. Heather from Cypress… then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. (Philippians 2:2 NIV)

  48. 4348
    Donna says:

    Donna from Weare, New Hampshire
    I commit! For I will pour water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring and my blessing on your descendants. Isaiah 44:3 NIV

  49. 4349
    Diann Davis says:

    I Commit! Diann from Fernandina Beach, FL It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
    Isaiah 55:11 NLT

  50. 4350
    Shaina McDaniel says:

    I commit! Shaina from Sherman, TX. “My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” KJV

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