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!
Mary Pat Byrd from Richmond Hill, GA
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV
Kristin Robbins
Ft. Worth, TX
2 Timothy 1:13-14 HCSB “Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who lives in us, that good thing entrusted to you.”
Renee’ from Suffolk, VA
…and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.
Romans 5:4 ESV
Lois from New York
God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Cor. 9:8 NKJV
Lindsay ~ Dedham, Maine
Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!
Psalm 116:2 (NLT)
Lynn from Brandon, MS. 1 Peter 1:3 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to HIS great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Michelle Baylerian, Greenville, WI
Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. Psalm 119:165 ESV
Cindy from Bend Or says Who comforts us in our troubles so that we can comfort those in trouble with the same comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2Corn 1:4 NIV
Simone M. ~ Houma, LA
And Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
Psalms 50:15 (KJV)
Marge Turner, Chili, Wisconsin-
Psalm 16:7
I will praise the LORD who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.
NIV
Anna S from Auburn, AL “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge, his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Ps 91:4 NIV
Kathleen Partin, Saint Joseph, Michigan
Psalm 121:6
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night
NIV
Angela from High Point, North Carolina: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 NKJV
Nancy Dal Pian, Port Charlotte, FL
Philippians 3:14, NIV
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Sharen/Platte City, MO/
Psalm 25:9 (hcsb)
He leads the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.
Lori Maddox of Bushnell, FL: “For this gospel I was appointed a herald, apostle, and teacher, and that is why I suffer these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know the One I have believed in and am persuaded that He is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day.”
2 Timothy 1:11-12 HCSB
Patience Nason, Citrus Heights, CA
“But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 4:3 HCSB
Betty Austin, Texas “that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. Romans 8:21 NIV
Betty Austin, Texas “we know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” Romans 8:22 NIV
Williamsville, NY
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:25. NIV
Sharon, Lincoln Park, Mi
“I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are helpless take heart.” Psalm 34:2 NLT
Ann from Mandeville, la
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT)
Three things that will last forever-faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love.
MATTHEW 28:6 KJV – “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” HALLELUAH CHRIST AROSE AND HE’S ALIVE !!!!
Apryl, Raleigh NC
But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the
Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life
in His name.
John 20:31
(HCSB)
Psalm 91:8 ESV
You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked
Julie from Texas
Charlotte, Myrtle Beach, SC
Psalm 103:4 NIV
He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
Ginger Hawthorne, Cypress, Texas
“She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants
a vineyard.”
Proverbs 31:16 (ESV)
Lori Jensen from Mountain View, WY
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” Jeremiah 17:7 (NIV)
“For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!”
Ephesians 5:8 NLT
Chelsea Moore Cushing, TX
Carol, Hewitt, TX “For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”
Lisa from Wellington, KS – “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NLT
Lori, San Jose, CA John 11:25 NASB
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies.”
Teresa, Orange City. If any of you lack wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to you. James 1:5
Norma Holly,Michigan
Look at the ship also, though they are so large and driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
James 3:4 ESV
Martha, Pelican Rapids, MN “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. ” Joshua 1:9
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 2 Corinthians 4:10 NIV
Sara McPeek, Decatur, TX
May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Julianne from Kitchener, ON, Canada
Hebrews 12:1 NIV
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.
Ginny from Kenosha, WI
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and of death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”
Romans 8:1-8 (ESV)
Janet
Midlothian, Texas
But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behaviors;
because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I AM HOLY”.
1 Peter 1:15-16 NASB
CeCelia O’Connell
Houston, Texas
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
Kristen Fowler, Marble NC
Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.
Psalm 86:11 ESV
Kristen Jeuick, Rockville, VA: I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8 NIV
Patti Lechner from Grovetown, GA: “No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules It is the hard working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.” 2 Tim. 2:4-6 ESV
Rebecca, Chattanooga, TN
And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness
Romans 4:5 ESV
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. Psalm 103:6 NIV
Jamie, Holly Springs, NC
Psalm 51:4, NIRV
You are the one I’ve really sinned against.
I’ve done what is evil in your sight.
So you are right when you sentence me.
You are fair when you judge me.
Anna Nunez San Marcos California
Hebrews 12:28
“Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;”