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!
Jennifer Jones
Huntington Beach, CA
Proverbs 2:6
For the Lord gives wisdom;from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
Sara, Indiana
….. if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;
Romans 12:7 (ESV)
Tammy Holtvluwer, Traverse City MI
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding”; Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Susan from Texas
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He instructs sinners in His ways.
Psalm 25:8 NIV
Karen Watson, Nashville, Tn. “I said to myself,’I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.'” Ps. 39:1-2, NLT
Linda Nelson, Harvest, Alabama
Is 45:3 (NIV)
“I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.”
Beth, Dyersburg, Tn
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,
1 Peter1:3 ESV
Julie, Gresham, OR
“And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.”
Mark 15:37-38 (ESV)
Lisa B. Taylorsville NC Colossians 3:17. KJV
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Mary Thomas
Lexington, KY
Matthew 6:20-21 NIV84
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Beth, Dyersburg, TN “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,” 1 Peter1:3 ESV
Jennifer, Chattanooga, TN
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sin, Colossians 2:13 NIV
Lou Ann Smith, McAllen, TX
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance, the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1 ESV
Laura from Christiansburg, VA
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
Matthew 24:35 ESV
Crystal from Durham, NC
“The voice said to me, “Son of man, eat what I am giving you—eat this scroll! Then go and give its message to the people of Israel.””
Ezekiel 3:1 NLT
Kathi, Vancouver Wa
I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods, with singing lips my mouth will praise You. On my bed I remember You; I think of You through the watches of the night. Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings.
Ps. 63:5-7 NIV
karen, Warsaw, IN
My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God.
Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him.
God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:7,8 HCSB
Kay Soderstrom , Midland, Tx. Galatians 4:3 (NLT) “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”
“Do not conform 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.” Romans 12:2
Cathy Smiley from Westminster, CO
Psalm 121:3 (HCSB)
He will not allow your foot to slip;
Your Protector will not slumber.
Tiffany from Greensboro, North Carolina:
“Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore he instructs sinners
in his ways.”
-Psalm 25:8 NIV
Cassi from Clermont, FL “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” John 15:8 ESV
Mary Cavalier, Old River-Winfree, TX
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:8 NASB
Amy Carter, Charleston, S.C. Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way. Psalm 25:8 NKJV
Charlotte Ortega From Saugus CA
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. Proverbs 16:33 NIV
Kristen Johnstone, Boulder, CO Philippians 4:9 ESV
9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Dear Children, Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
1John3:18
Amy Baltimore, MD
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 NAB
Psalm 116:1-2 (NIV)
I love the LORD for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy. Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.
Sandy Hartley ~ Clatskanie, OR
Prov 31:17 (NKJV) “She girds herself with strength and strengthens her arms”.
Jacqueline, Calhoun LA
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
Psalm 23:6 NIV
Nikola, Langley, BC, Canada
“Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out ‘Abba, Father’. So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are His child, God has made you also an heir.” Galatians 4:6-8 NIV
Martie Carter Belton, Texas
Matthew 6:33-34 (NIV)
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be give to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Sarah, Christina, Esther May and Janie Marion: Wenatchee WA
“So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.”
II Timothy 1:8 NIV
Tracy Klensch
Edgewood, Kentucky
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. ~ Roman’s 15:13 (NLT)
Mickey, Gilbert AZ
“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
Debbie from Fort Worth, TX
“If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!”
Psalm 139: 8 ESV
Vicki from Des Arc, Arkansas. I commit! “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalms 34:18 NIV
Joyce Grimes, Pace, FL
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
Ephesians 5:8 NKJV
Becky from Vicksburg, MS
Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. Daniel 10:12 (NAS).
Karen Anderson Minot ND Jesus told them,”This is the only work God wants from you:Believe in the one He sent.” John 6:29 NLT
Deena from Amarillo, Texas
“God is able to do whatever he promises.” Romans 4:21b NLT
Margot from Round Rock, TX
This is why it is said:”Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:14 (NIV)
Emily, Porter, TX
“God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.” Acts 2:24 ESV
Julie Cranford from Granbury, TX
Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14, ESV
Shelby from Spring, TX:
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.”
1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV
Andrea, Berkeley Springs, WV
Colossians 1:13 NIV
For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves.
Paula Newberg from Vancouver WA
“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices” Colossians 3:9 ESV
“Sing to the LORD; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.”
Psalms 96:2 NLT
http://bible.com/116/psa.96.2.nlt
Sam Caruso, Frisco Texas
“And being found in appearance as a man,
being humbled himself and being obedient
to death-even death on a cross!”
Philippians 2:8