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!
Joni from Port Neches, Tx: “which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing–as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,” Colossians 1:6
ESV
Jessica Bellefonte, PA
“But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry, and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.”
Psalm 86:15 NLT
Amy in Liberty Township, Ohio
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”
1 John 4:18 ESV
1 Peter 4:7New International Version (NIV)
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.
liz gladstone or
Arlene Marlboro NJ.
“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” psalm 34:8
Dian from Cocoa Beach Fl
Even before He made the world,
God loved us and chose us in Christ
To be holy and without fault in His eyes.
Ephesians 1:4 (NLT)
Vivienne B. Waterloo, Ontario
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
2 Chronicles 7:14-15 (NIVUK)
Ruth Moore – Winston Salem, North Carolina
Micah 7:7 But as for me I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. ESV
Jacqui, Chester, UK:
‘Set a guard over my mouth Lord, keep with over the door of my lips’
Psalm 141:3
Rachael from Union, Maine – 15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. Ephesians 1:15-17 NKJV
Jill, Plano TX
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
King James Version (KJV)
Judy, Clarks Hill SC
Psalm 25:6
Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.(NRSV)
The LORD is gracious and merciful,slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Ps. 145:8 ESV
Anne, Parma, Ohio
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV
Barb Wisconsin. “If I ascend to heaven, You are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there!
Ps 139:8 ESV
Liz Richmond, Midland, Texas
1 Peter 4:10 ( NIV)
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,
Faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
Suzanne
Tenaha, TX
Psalm 1:2 NIV
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
Sammie from Sterling Virginia, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalms 84:11 NKJV
Charlie Carraway- Sopchoppy, FL
Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, Philippians 2:6 (NASB)
Colossians 1:16B NIV
All things were created by him and for him.
Denise Christian from Reliance, VA
NKJV Psalm 25:8
“Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.”
Terra Brown, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Psalm 90:14 ESV
Ana from Dayton, TX
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,”. II Timothy 1:8 ESV
Cindy, North Potomac, MD: “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” Ezekiel 36:26 NLT
Dawn Atwood, McKinney, TX
“God will save you from the hunter’s trap and from deadly sickness.”
Psalms 91:3 CEB
Judith, Tri-Cities area,TN
“My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.”
Psalm 119:28 NIV
Jeannie Williams, Rock Hill, SC
Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore He instructs sinners in the way.
Psalm 25:8 NASB
Isabelle Mercado from Rolling Meadows, IL: …maybe able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:18-19 NKJV
Deana from Leesville La: Then said he unto me, fear not Daniel: for from the first day that you didst set thine heart to understand, and to Chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard and I am come for the words. Daniel 10:12 KJV
Kathy, Houston, Texas
Matthew 28:6 (NIV)
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
Lisa, West Des Moines, IA: “But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7 (ESV)
Judy from Louisville, KY Jeremiah 32:27 NIV
“I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”
For we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestines before the ages for our glory. I Cor. 2:7 NASB
New Braunfels, TX
Michelle, Angola, IN
Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!
Psalm 66:20 NIV
Sherry, Indianapolis
“Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
Psalm 34:8 Niv
Cindi Latson,, Madison, MS
“So, let’s pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” Romans 14:19 (ESV)
Betty, Brown City, MI Heb. 12:11 “We don’t enjoy being disciplined. It always seems to cause more pain than joy. But later on those who learn from that discipline have peace that comes from doing what is right.” God’s Word Translation
Lyn Brewer, Spartanburg, SC
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV
Alice Hinckley, Dallas, TX: “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.” Hebrews 4:16
Naomi – Colorado Springs: “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way” Psalms 25:8, ESV
Cara Gabrielse, Parker, CO – “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.” Philippians 2:6, NLT
Deb Cochran Milan, MI
1 Thessalonians 5:16 NLT
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all
circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to
Christ Jesus.
Sarah Whitt, Fort Worth, TX
“Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things.”
Ephesians 5:6 HCSB
Susan Knowles, Bradenton, FL
Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity,
each of you should, in humility, be motivated to treat one another as more important than yourself.
Phil. 2:3 NET
Elizabeth Hughes, Berrien Springs, MI, “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exalt over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17ESV).
Amy S. from Saint Cloud, FL
Psalm 121:4 (NIV)
“indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”
Johannah, Alexandria, LA
“You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
James 5:8 ESV
St Louis, Missouri
Though the mountains move and the hills shake,
My love will not be removed from you and My covenant of peace will not be shaken,
says your compassionate Lord.
Isaiah 54:10 HCSB
Houston,Texas. Gal 5:22 NIV
the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
and self control,
Phyllis, Irvine, CA: “Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice,” Psalms 141:2 (ESV)