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!
Ephesians 6:10-11 NIV
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11 Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
I commit Merle Carlsbad,NM. Praise the Lord,O my soul,and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.
Psalms 103:3-4. NIV
I commit! Nancy Griffin, Drew, Ms, We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19. NASB
Kim, Richmond, Tx, I commit, “For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
Isaiah 55:4 NKJV
” Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, a leader and commander for the people.”
#4 “The fear of God builds up confidence and makes a world safe for my children” Proverbs 14:26 (MSG)
I commit! Justine from Washington, PA: “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
April – Bossier City, LA “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 love this verse! It is one of my favorites and always gives me hope and strength! Thank you for posting!
Gayle, Salinas, CA
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
I Cor, 15:58 NIV
Debra Vining Jacksonville FL “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:12 NASB
Karen Russell Yakima WA: I commit! John 14:27 MSG “I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s My parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.”
Sabrina Zazueta from kiln, MS “31 but those who hope in the LORDwill 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)
Rebecca Putman Lexington KY “But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.” Psalm 33:11 NIV
Becca Gordon, Glasgow UK.
‘His delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.’ Psalm 1:2-3 NIVUK
Arlene , Anderson SC
Just as each one of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function Romans 12:4 ( NIV)
Judy, Clay Center, KS “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Romans 13:1 ESV
“I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?”
Psalm 121:1, NIV84
Melissa Martinez from Mount Bethel, PA: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Ephesians 6:10-11 NIV
Rachelle Findlay, OH
Is 60:1 “Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
Psalm 91:11 NIV
Jennifer Gallo from Ventura, CA
“I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.
Romans 6:19 NIV
Tori in Elmer, LA
“For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 HCSB
I commit
Bethany Sutherlin, OK
But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ” You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:15-16 ESV
Sue Anderson from Waco, TX
I commit! “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
I commit!
Hillary, ft worth TX
“Be merciful to me O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul take refuge; In The shadow of your wings I will take reguge, till the storm of destruction passes by”
Psalm 57:1
Beth Cox from Searcy, AR-“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” James 1:2-3 NIV
From Grovetown, GA. January 1st Verse: “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.”
Proverbs 4:23 NKJV
Ladies, please forgive me. I am just now posting all four verses up to this point. I have faced trials that have prevented me from posting sooner, but this is my January 1st post, and the next three will follow. I am looking forward to taking this journey with all of you! God Bless you all!
From Grovetown, GA. January 15th Verse: “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 12:2 NKJV
From Grovetown, GA. February 1st Verse: “The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalms 27:1 NKJV
Melissa from Grovetown, GA. February 15th Verse: “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:”
Hebrews 12:14 NKJV
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Cathy Layne, Birmingham, Alabama
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
1Peter 1:3 NIV
February 16
1 Corinthians 13:4
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
I commit! Tammie Wright in Ocala, FL
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Joshua 1:8 NIV
Eleanor
Memphis, TN
II Timothy 1:1 (ESV)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,
Emilie, Tennessee,For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness , hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2Corithians 5:6 KJV
Nanci, Albuquerque, NM. “Seeing that His divine power has granted to. Us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” 2 Peter 1:3, NASB.
Courtney
Wilmington, North Carolina
“For as the rain and the 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,” -Isaiah 55:10
“Consider Him who endured such oppression from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:3 (NIV)
“In the struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” Hebrews 12:4
I commit! Jill, Puyallup, WA
“I love you, Lord; you are my strength.”
Psalm 18:1, NLT
Melissa from Grovetown, GA. “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23 NKJV
Amanda from Albuquerque, New Mexico
I commit!
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalms 23:1 NKJV
Playing catch-up.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
Crystal – Andrews, NC – “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Eph 4:29 ESV
Gracie Garibay
Waxahachie Texas
“I love you, Lord; you are my strength.”
Psalm 18:1, NLT
Marilyn from Lubbock, Texas
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge.
His truth shall be your sheild and buckler.
Ps. 91.4
I commit!
“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in His wings”
Malachi 4:2 NLT
I commit! Sandra Villa from Flagstaff, AZ.
“Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy
our brother to Philemon our beloved fellow worker.”
Philemon 1 ESV
1750 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever.
Psalms 73:26 ESV