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 legalisticĀ about much around here but I am a drill sergeant about the precise way we accept comments for SSMT verse entries. OneĀ 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. Ā 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 itĀ 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 wordsĀ this time toĀ the front of theĀ 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 becauseĀ 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 againstĀ evil rulers, powers and principalitiesĀ 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.
Jeanne from Floyds Knobs and I commit!
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Phillipians 4:4, NIV1984
Natalie from Lawton, Oklahoma
The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me. Psalm 138:8 ESV
Angela, Fuquay-Varina, NC, NIV translation.
Proverbs 4:4
he taught me and said, “Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.” Proverbs 4:4
I Commit! “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty” Ps 91:1 NASB
Erin, Centerville, ga D o not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
I commit! Kellie, Bowling Green, Kentucky
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3
New year and I need to recommit. I have grown distant from God, always me – never Him! Time for me to re-commit and succeed!!!!
Kara, Round Rock, TX: So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, and participating in the spirit, any affection and sympathy, -Philippians 2:1 (ESV)
Barbara from Dothan, AL
I commit! ” O come, let us sing to the Lord, let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation!” Psalms 95:1 ESV
Carissan from Peachtree City, Ga: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 NIV
Stop doing evil and do good, so that you will live forever.
Psalms 37:27 ncv
Linda Jewell, Tucson, AZ
James 1:17 NKJV
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
Tracy from Union,Kentucky
I commit! “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5 (NIV)
Valerie Hammit from Odessa,TX, Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,ā declares the LORD, āplans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” NIV
I commit!
Proverbs 31:10 ESV
An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels!
‘When you pass through the waters I will be with you.
When you pass through the rivers they will sweep over you,
When you walk through the fire you will not be burned the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2 NIV
I commit! Claudia Farmer from Myrtle Beach, SC, I”The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want”
Psalm 23:1 ESV
Leslie, Rockwall, TX
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4, NIV
Tori from Elmer, LA
Proverbs 22:6 (HCSB)
Teach a youth about the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.
I commit! Lorraine Figueroa from Tolleson, Az : My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight preserve sound judgement and discretion, Proverbs 3:21 NIV
I commit!! Linda Clark from Houston, Texas: “I am the vine, you are the branches; he that abides in Me, and I am him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me, you can do nothing.” NASV
I Commit! Karla from Leverett, MA
James chapter 1 is on for this year.
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the 12 tribes in the Despersion: Greetings.
James 1:1 ESV
Kelly , Lakeland, Florida
Obey God and be at peace with him; this is the way to happiness. Job 22:21 NCV
Nancy, Midland, Tx, He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3 NIV
I commit!In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. Psalm 25:1 NIV
Missoula, MT
Sandra, Holland MI. “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than we could ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be be glory…”. Eph 3:20 (ESV)
I commit! Cara, Oswego, IL. “For no word from God will ever fail.” Luke 1:37 NIV
I commit!! Tanya from Lorton, VA,
2 Corinthians 5:18 (NIV)
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…
Judy from Victorville, CA
I COMMIT! “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
Caitlin, Edmonton Alberta. I commit!
“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.”
whoops, that was Psalm 25:1, ESV.
I commit. Psalm 25:1 “O LORD, I give my life to You.” (NLT)
Patti, Clemmons, NC
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, for the promise of life in Christ Jesus: To Timothy, my dearly loved son. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”
2 Timothy 1:1-2 HCSB
January 16, 2017
I COMMIT!
Philippians 4:8 ā NIV
Finally, brothers and sisters whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable ā if anything is excellent or praiseworthy the dash think about such things.
I commit!! Kim Valentine from Houston, Texas. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9, NIV
January 16, 2017
I COMMIT!
Philippians 4:8 ā NIV
Finally, brothers and sisters whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable ā if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
Glenda from Pueblo West, CO: I commit! “I trust in you my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.” Psalm 25:2 NLT
Isaiah 43:1 GNT. “Israel, the Lord who created you says, Do not be afraid, I will save you. I have called you by name-you are mine.”
1Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation,
In charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Ephesians 6:10 NIV
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Trish – Clover, SC
Put on the full armor of God,
So that you will be able to stand firm
against the schemes of the devil. – Ephesians 6:11 NASB
Romans 6:17
But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. NIV
So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the Word of God. Romans 10:17 (NRSV)
Patti Clayton, Roxboro, NC
” So as, to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:10
Psalm 25:2 I trust in you, do not let me be put to shame,nor let my enemies triumph over me.
Connie Walker from Houston, TX.
Acts 2:28 (NLT)
28 You have shown me the way of life,
and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.
I commit! Donna from Earle, AR: O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me.
Cumming, GA. My grace is sufficient for my power is made great in your weakness. 2 Cor.12:9
Michele Gruwell Edgewood, Ky.
Psalm 25:2 NIV-I trust in you, do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.
Stacie from Earle AR:
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 ESV
Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all that he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything that we can understand. God’s peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7 NLT
I’m committed!
Kristi Gouch from NC
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” 2 Timothy 1:1,2 ESV