Hi SSMT partners! I’m Bailie – the newest and youngest member of the LPM staff.
A few weeks into my time here at LPM, I kept hearing the term “SSMT” being thrown around by my coworkers, and I wondered what on earth are they talking about? And when one of them explained, “Oh, it’s stands for Siesta Scripture Memory Team,” I was even more confused. What’s a Siesta? I thought. Doesn’t that mean “nap” in Spanish? Smile.
So if any of you are new to SSMT, I’m right there with you! Now I couldn’t be more on board with this simple, achievable way to sear God’s Word into our hearts and minds.
Do you have a section of Scripture that you find yourself referring back to all the time? Maybe you leave your little Bible bookmark there or the Lord keeps proving its relevance to you season after season. For me, it’s Hebrews 4:14-16:
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
These verses have ministered to me for years. They encouraged me through months of living in a foreign country. They motivated me to get back up and fight when temptation overcame me. They showed me how Jesus is so fully human, truly, He can relate to everything I feel. And they reminded me of my God-given dignity and confidence to approach His throne of grace (thank you JESUS!). I’ve read them so many times, I could give you a great paraphrasing, but I decided it was time to commit them to memory.
Stay strong, Siestas!
Sydni from Nashville Tennessee
“He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow].”
PSALM 147:3 AMP
Dawn Byers from Alvord, Texas “She gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for him in the place where travelers lodged.” Luke 2:7 NAB
Sandy Bowers, Bryan, Ohio
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.
Romans 5:7 NIV
Christy, Conifer, Colorado
Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!
Hebrews 12:9 NIV 1984
Susan Canham, Bismarck ND
You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
-Deuteronomy 6:9 NKJV
Autumn, Deer Park, WA
“They who belong to Christ Jesus have
crucified the flesh with its passions and
desires.” Galatians 5:24
Carol in Salem, Oregon
Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing.
Psalm 34:10 (NLT)
Margie, White Salmon, WA – ” My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.” Psalm 62:7 (NIV)
Tracy Langford, Medicine Lodge, Ks
19 How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.
Psalms 31:19 NLT
Jane Baker from Pontiac, IL: “I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.” Psalm 119:8 (NIV 1984)
Mandisa from Nashville, TN
Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. James 5:14 NLT
Amanda, Queensland
Remember, O Lord, your unfailing love and compassion,
which You have shown from long ages past
Psalm 25:6 NLT
Pamm W. from Albuquerque, NM
“so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on Godʼs power.”
1 Corinthians 2:5 NIV
Kathryn Luedtke, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
Finally be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV
Acts 3:19-20a
19 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…
ESV
Houston, TX
There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love.
1 John 4:18
Arla, Benton, AR
“And without faith it is impossible to please GOD, because anyone who comes to HIM must believe that HE exists and that HE rewards those who earnestly seek HIM.”
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Deb from Aledo, IL
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 KJV
Grace from U.K.:
“Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.”
Psalm 25:8
Bobbi from Lake City, FL ” Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs to win, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!” I Corinthians 9:24 (NLT)
Becky from Cincinnati, OH.
“O taste and see that the LORD is good:blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”
Psalm 34:8 KJV
Nancy Lori – Rio Rancho, NM
Titus 2:11 ESV
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.
Edna Grace C. from Torrance, CA
9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
Romans 10:9-11 NIV
No. California
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable.. if anything is excellent or praiseworthy.. think about such things”
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Beth ~ Calgary Canada
“Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.”
Psalm 25:8 NIV
Shawn in AZ
Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy in expressible and full of glory,
1 Peter 1:8 NKJV
Erin from Kennewick, WA
Continued from 3/15 and 4/1
…who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ~ Hebrews 12:2b (NIV 1984)
Pamela Shaw, Bangor, N. Ireland
‘Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.’
Psalm 27:7 (NIV)
Neskowin, Or.
I forgot to do the first, so here it is, Galatians 5:25 If we live by the Spirit let us also be guided by the Spirit
My prayer every day
For the 15th Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Jennifer Tricarico, Fairfax, VA
You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.
Psalm 91:8 ESV (working through the Psalm)
Holly Williams from Scammon Bay, AK
“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.”
1 John 2:9-11 NIV
Laurie O, Milton GA
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
Philippians 3:12 ESV
Margie Dudley, Moncks Corner, South Carolina
If your gift is to encourage others, do it!
If you have money, share it generously.
If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.
And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Romans 12:8 NLT
Jennifer Millican from Spring Texas: “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13 NASB
Dallas, GA
“Here there is no Greek of Jew, circumcised of uncircumcised, barbarian or Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and is in all.”
Col. 3:11 NIV
Crista
Forest, VA
“So take diligent heed to yourselves to love the LORD your God.”
–Joshua 23:11 NASB
Kathleen – Starke, FL,
All of us, then, reflect the glory of the Lord with uncovered faces; and that same glory, coming from the Lord, who is the Spirit, transforms us into his likeness in an ever greater degree of glory.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (GNT)
Regina Johnston from Sugar Land, TX: “11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:11-12 (NIV)
Carrie Moehrke Cary, NC
“but when they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
He is not here, but has been raised! Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,”
Luke 24:3, 6 NET
Soni from Gulfport, MS “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13 NIV
Carolyn, The Woodlands, TX
“And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.” – James 3:6 (NASB)
Continuing my passage in James.
Lyn Steriti-Pelham NH
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 and into
An inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade, kept in heaven
For you. Who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the
Coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
I Peter 1: 3-5
Kristy, Cottage Grove, MN: 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
Charlotte Skadal, Houston, Texas
“The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.”
Psalm 103:8-9 (NASB)
Happy Easter, Siestas! He is risen! He is risen indeed!
barbara from perkasie, pa
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanaded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” luke 22:31-32 nasb
Kim, Richmond, Tx, “may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,” Eph 3:18, (NIV)
Brandi from Elizabethtown, KY: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?”
Romans 8:35 ESV
The Lord said… “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. Do not be afraid, I am your shield, your very great reward.”
Gen.12:1 ; 15:1
Jill, Dunedin FL
You too , be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
James 5:8 NIV
Pam, Wilmington NC
You will only look on with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.
Psalm 91:8