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.
Libby Derby from Wichita, Kansas. “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 NLT
I commit! Tamara from McLean, Virginia: Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; Philippians 2:3 NASB
I COMMIT!! Julie – Lake St. Louis, MO
“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 NIV
I commit! Janel from Kalamazoo, MI: “Rather, clothe yourselves with the lord Jesus Christ and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” Romans 13:14 NIV
Dana Abee from Clarksville, TN
Isaiah 54:5 ESV
“For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.”
I Commit! Sue Stingu, Troy Michigan.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 14 : 26 NIV
I commit!! Taneisha Bethmann from Arlington, TX: “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” John 12:46 NIV
I commit! Allison B. from Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
“Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!” -1 Samuel 12:16 (NIV)
I commit! Kim Zentz from New Haven, CT: “Forget the things that happened in the past. Do not keep on thinking about them. I am about to do something new. It is beginning to happen even now. Don’t you see it coming? I am going to make a way for you to go through the desert. I will make streams of water in the dry and empty land.” Isaiah 43:18-19 NIRV
I commit! Jenna Burchnall from Keezletown, VA: “For as the rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10-11, ESV
Melinda O’Dell Rowlett, Texas, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” Proverbs 12:15. ESV
Sarah Whitt, Fort Worth, TX
“Out of the depths I call to You, Lord!” Psalm 130:1 HCSB
I commit! Sandy Smith, Holiday, Florida Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith. Hebrews 12: 1b-2a NASB
I commit! Michèle from Wasaga Beach Ontario: “Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.” 1 Corinthians 15:49 NIV
I commit! Melonie Blackwell from Chandler, OK
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 ESV
I commit! Christina from Dorchester, ON
‘Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert’ Isaiah 43:19 HCSB
I commit. Linda Madeksho from Houston, Texas
Philippians 2:2Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
2 Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention.
I commit! Debbie from Portland, OR
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart
Psalm 37:15 ESV
I commit! Dennina Keen from Chehalis, Washington
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them saying, ” This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22: 19 NIV
Trying to live a given life.
I commit! Pam Nelson from Brighton, CO
But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. Psalm 73:28, NLT.
I commit! Amy Murrell from Houston, TX
“The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” -Proverbs 13:4 ESV
I commit! Kathy Cole from Albany, Oregon:
A Psalm of David. To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul. Psalm 25:1 NASB
I COMMIT!!
Michelle Baylerian, Greenville, WI
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16”, ESV
I commit! Kori from Duluth, MN: Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. Proverbs 18:1 ESV
I commit! Vanessa from Paducah, KY
In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.
Daniel 7:13 NIV
I Commit! Norma Jean from Medford, Oregon “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you”. 1 Peter 5:7 NKJV
I commit! Isabelle Mercado from Rolling Meadows, IL:
“And the effect of righteousness will be peace [internal and external], and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever. My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, in safe dwellings, and in quiet resting-places.” Isaiah 32:17-18 AMPC
I commit! Julie from Ridgeville, SC: “I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.” Isaiah 44:22 (NLT)
I commit! Cindy Gandy from Hazlehurst, MS: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!” Psalm 103:1 ESV
I COMMIT! Sherry Campbell from Nowata, Ok. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery. ” Galatians 5:1 NIV
Shannon S. Jackson Hole, WY
I belong to my beloved and his desire is for me.
Song of Solomon 7:10 (NIV)
I commit!! Stacey Harris from Fort Collins, CO
“Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.”
â€â€ISAIAH‬ â€43:19‬ â€AMP‬‬
Amanda Bryant from Knoxville, TN: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12 ESV
I commit! Michelle V, Hewitt, TX
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9 NIV
I commit! Chris Martin from Lincoln Park, NJ
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 3:22 & 23 NIV
I commit! Natalie Ely from Cumberland Gap, TN
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
Matthew 28:1 ESV
I commit! Jonae Grinage from Irving, TX: Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 NIV
I Commit! Kelly Davis, Danville VA.
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the council of the wicked or stand in the way of the sinners or sit in the seat of the mockers. Psalm 1:1. NIV
I commit! Nikola from Langley, BC “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” 1Peter 2:9 NIV
I commit!
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26
I commit! Mary Kay from Olympia WA – And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16 ESV
That’s NIV translation
I commit! Michelle from Portage, IN: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
I commit! Tina from Cleburne, TX
2 Corinthians 4:16-17 ESV
So we do not lose heart. Our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison
I Commit! Kristin, San Marcos, CA
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
James 1:19 NIV
I commit! Lori from Oil City, PA “If the Lord had not been on our side-let Israel say-” Psalm 124:1(NIV)
I commit! Cheryl from Denver, Colorado. “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute (admirable) if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8 NASB
I commit! Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. Hebrews 4:1 KJV
I commit! Melissa, Sacramento, CA
“I charge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”
2 Timothy 4:1-2, ESV
I commit! Cara Gabrielse from Parker, Colorado: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 NIV