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.
Bethany Sutherlin from OK
I’m committed!
“Fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 ESV
I commit! 🙂
Mauri Grace from Queen City, Texas:
“Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.” – Isaiah 26:8 (NIV)
Peggy from Cheyenne, Wyoming – But because of your stubborness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgement will be revealed.
Romans 2:5 NIV
Sherri from Corpus Christi, Tx.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ”
Hebrew 12:1 (NIV)
Becky Bowman from Placerville, CA: For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. Exodus 20:11 NIV
Kate from Cambridge, UK – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.” â€â€Proverbs‬ â€3:5‬ â€NASB‬‬
Gail from Nebraska
“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you” Bible Gateway
Isaiah 41:13
Verse 2..Stigler ok .”The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.” Psalm 147:2 NKJV
Jeanette from Grove City Ohio
“Be imitators of God, therefore as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice.”
Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV 1994
Roman’s 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
I commit! Susan from St. Clair, MI. “Praise the Lord, oh my soul. ” Psalm 103 :1 NIV
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” ESV
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” ESV
Becky Konshak from Louisville, CO
Behold, God is my Savior and Lord. I will trust in Him and be saved byHim. I will not be afraid, for the Lord is my glory and my praise. He has become my salvation. Isiah 12:2 Orthodox Bible
I commit! Carol from Naperville, IL.
“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it” Psalm 118 v24 NLT
Jeremiah 14:22 (KJV)Â
Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.
I commit! I memorized Psalm 139 years ago and it is definitely time for a refresher! NIV. PSALM 139:1 & 2 ( as I am just starting)! O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit down and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
Shoreline, WA
Colossians 3:13 (NASB)
Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Becca Gordon, Glasgow, UK:
‘…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.’ Isaiah 55:11 NIV
Marion, Royse City:
I commit!
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Diane H, Plymouth, Mn
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
King James Version (KJV)
I commit!
Tiffani Williamson Des Moines, Iowa
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
I commit! Louanna Miller from Monticello, IL: “For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, ‘Do not fear. I will help you.’ Isaiah 41:13 NASB
1 Corinthians 6:19 (New Living Translation)
“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself.”
Sophie from Arvada, CO
1 Corinthians 6:19 (New Living Translation)
“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself.”
Janette
Estes Park, CO
Psalm 143:8 NIV
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love. For I have put my trust in you. Show we the way I shall go for to you I entrust my life.
I commit! (a bit late, but I am catching up!!)
Heather Kudla from Mosinee, WI:
“Lord, I seek refuge in You; let me never be disgraced. Save me by Your righteousness.” Psalm 31:1 HCSB
I commit! Tina from Glasgow, KY “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of kinds. James 1:2 NIV
I commit. Ann from Berthoud, CO.
“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 straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
I commit! Christine Howard from Denham Springs, LA
I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.” Genisis 9:11 NIV
I commit. Shelly Yoes from Nixa, Mo.
“He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 62:6 (NIV)
I Commit Hannah Huneycutt Mt. Pleasant, NC
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)
I commit! Donna Huneycutt, Mt. Pleasant, NC
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:19 NASB
I commit! Dusti Farmer from Frisco, TX! “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he does the will of My father Who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21 AMP
I commit.
Deneen from Monroe, Louisiana
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)
Candi, Vonnie, Tami, Sandy – Rapid City, SD & Chachoengsao, Thailand:
Psalm 91:1, NLT
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I commit! Karen from Warsaw, IN:
God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through Whom also He made the world. Hebrews 1:1,2 NASB
Izora Browning Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid,I will trust in you. NIV
I commit! Laura Proctor, Madison, MS.
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” Psalm 139:23 NIV
Philippians 1:6(NKJV)
being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 4:12 (ESV)
“to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ”
I commit!
Tara from Bolingbrook, IL
Out of my distress I called on the LORD;
the LORD answered me and set me free.
Psalm 118:5, ESV
I commit!
Hannah from Bolingbrook, IL
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1, NKJ
I commit! Erin Turner from Jacksonville, Florida: “If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” 1 Corinthians 13:1 (NRSV)
I COMMIT! Shirley Kelley, Stephens City VA
“For the HOLY GHOST shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say” Luke 12:12 (KJV)
Leona Ross from Stigler Ok
But I discipline my body bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified
I Commit!
Shari Dickie from El Dorado Hills, California
Jesus said, “No procrastination, no backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.” Luke 9:62 (MSG)
I Commit (LATE!)
Ruth, Providence, RI
“I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give you a spirit of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your understanding enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power in us who believe…”
Ephesians 1:17-19a
I commit, Lakeisha Bing, Mays Landing NJ
I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live.
Ecclesiastes 3:12