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, 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. ESV
Dee Martin, Pineville, Louisiana.
I commit! Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
1 Peter 4:10 NIV
I commit! Suzette Stone from Fredericksburg,TX; “Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.” NIV
I commit!
“In you,Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame (disgraced in the HCSB). deliver me by Your righteousness.” Psalm 31:1 NIV
I commit!
D’Anna Nowack, New Braunfels, Tx.
“In you,Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame (disgraced in the HCSB). deliver me by Your righteousness.” Psalm 31:1 NIV
I commit! Brenttia, Little Rock, AR
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
Melanie Hunter, Melissa, Texas
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,” Philippians 1:9 ESV
I commit! Laurie from Leander, Texas Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
1 Peter 4:10 | NIV
I commit! Christine from Naples, FL:
“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” Psalm 91:11 (KJV)
Candy from Lexington, KY: Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.-Psalm 46:10 NIV
Ephesians 3:20-21New Living Translation (NLT)
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Roman 12:12 (NIV)
2 Corinthians 5:10 NAS
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ
so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body
according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Sheree Poole from Columbia, SC: “He only is my Rock and my Salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.” Psalm 62:6 ESV
Loris, SC
I commit.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.
Jer 29:13 NIV
Kim, New Castle, O Lord, you are my God. I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1 NIV
Heather Hoch Pflugerville, TX
I commit! To You, o LORD, I lift up my soul.
Psalm 25:1 (NASB)
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
I Commit! Jennifer R. Houston, TX Romans 8:1 HCSB
“Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus”
Hi, Mary Tom Thomas, Johnson City, TX, The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23.. Great is the faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning…Lamentations 3:22 -23
I commit!! Dawn Simental Chicago, IL.
I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food. Job 23:12 NLT
For the word of God is quick, and powerful,
and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,
and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Heb 4:12 KJV
I committ.
Proverbs 31:10
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Michelle- Schertz, TX
“A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel.
Prov. 1:5 NIV
I commit! Patty Farmer Marion, Virginia. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me”Psalm 51:10 NIV
I commit! Mary Menchaca-Peoria, AZ “He only is my Rock and my Salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.” Psalm 62:6 ESV
Nancy Virginia Beach
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philipppians 4:13 NIV
I commit! Cathey Huntsville, Alabama “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
Isaiah 43:2-3 NIV
I commit! “She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of her kindness is on her tongue.” Prob 31:26 (ESV)
I commit! “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5 ESV
Kathy from Auburndale, Florida “They are like trees planted along the river bank bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither and they prosper in all they do.” Psalm 1:3 New Living Translation
Psalm 63: 7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. ESV
I commit! “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:16 NIV
Lori B from Winter Harbor, Maine. “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.” Psalms 19:14 (KJV)
I commit
Isabel from Midland, Texas
1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.
I commit ! Michelle Pruett from Plainfield Illinois ” When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me ?”
Psalm 56:3-4 ( NIV )
I commit! Bictoria, Los Angeles CA, ” You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (NIV) second verse Luke 11:4 success! Love you Jesus!
I commit
Denise Burdette. Zachary, La
Proverbs 3:5-6
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
NIV
“For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,”
Philippians 1:8-9 ESV
Victoria Harris from Tifton, Georgia: “For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,”
Philippians 1:8-9 ESV
I commit! “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Cindi Latson, Madison, MS
I commit! “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Hm be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
I commit! Kate Buchanan, Cambridge, UK. “Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’”
Matthew 22:37 NIV
Meredith B
Collierville Tn
WOOHOO!!
You Can Do IT!
Love Ya Mom
Merle Carlsbad NM. May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts be pleasing to you, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalms 19:14 Living Bible
I commit! Claire Veronie, Alpine, TX:
“How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in His ways!
Psalm 119:1-3 ESV
I commit for 2017. Maria Baker. Rancho Cucamonga, California
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! Debby from Ashburn, VA
“If it is serving, let him serve. If it is teaching, let him teach.” Romans 12:7 NIV84
For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
Palms 5:12 NIV
I commit! Sandy from Radford, VA
Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
Psalms 25:1 KJV