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!
Phillis White from Shelby, NC
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
Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there! Psalm 139:7 and 8 ESV
Becky, from Woodway, TX,
“Because of the joy awaiting Him,
He endured the cross, disregarding its shame.
Now He is seated in the place of honor
beside God’s throne.”
Hebrews 12:2 NLT
I commit! Julie from Lufkin Texas Isaiah 40:31 NIV
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles,
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isiah 40:31 NIV
Terri Tripp from Winchester, Virginia
“Why my soul are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.”
Psalm 43:5 NIV
Suzy Adams, Wheelersburg, OH – Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever, Amen. I Timothy 1: 17 NIV
Rachel from Adams, TN
“He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel.” Ps 1033:7 NIV
Jennifer Mosher in Canfield, OH
Isaiah 43:10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, nor will there be one after Me.”
Isaiah 43:10 new NIV
Tonya Hardy Istanbul, Turkey
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12 NIV
Debra from Madison, MS
“As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.”
Psalms 103:15-18 ESV
Judy from Clay Center, Kansas: “Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols.” Psalm 40:4 NLT
Gwen from Billings, MT:
Hebrews 4:15-16 NIV
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.
Kalonni, West Des Moines, IA. “for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.”
Acts 17:23 NLT
Emilie Horner, Tennessee
Ps. 139:17 how precious are they thoughts into me, O God! How great is the sum of them. KJV
Jennifer, Tomball, TX “Likewise, you younger men, be subject to the elders. And all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” I Peter 5:5 HCSB
Rhonda, Houston TX
All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of His covenant. Psalm 25:10 NIV
Lori Collins
Psalm 25:8 ESV
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
Marcia , Portland,OR Psalm145:6 MSG
Your marvelous doings are headline news; I could write a book full of the details of your greatness .
Cathy, Houston. A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone tired. Proverbs 17:22 (Msg).
Redfield, AR
Romans 8:35 (NKJV)
[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
John 11: 25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,”
Andrea
Roscoe, IL
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
1 Peter 5:6 NLT
Mary Rodgers from Phenix City, AL: “Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord , are good.” Psalm 25:7 NIV
Alaina // Flint, TX
Hebrews 12:10 NIV
Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.
Christy Kirby, Plano, TX:
But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.
Psalm 13:5-6 NLT
Ann Medford, Sunset, Texas, Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (ESV)
Amy Guth from Canton, MS
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:12 ESV
Johnson City, TN
Psalms 46:10 ESV
Be still and know that I am God.
What a verse to be studying over Easter weekend! 🙂
Becky Konshak, Louisville, CO
Colossians 3:1 The Message
So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides.
Sarah Miller, Atlanta Georgia, “If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!” Psalms 139:8 ESV
Maureen Chabot, St. Clair Shores, MI. “He picks up the poor from out of the dirt, rescues the wretched who’ve been thrown out with the trash,…” Psalm 113:7 Msg.
Diane, Williamston, SC – Romans 8:13 – For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ESV
Kathy leesville,la. The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Romans 14:17-19
Crystal, Livonia, MI
“In these too you once walked, when you were living in them”
Col. 3:7 ESV
Becky
Winder, GA
Romans 8:8 NASB
“And those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”
Nancy-Yonges Island, SC
“Come now and let us reason together, says the Lord, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
Isaiah 1:18 NKJV
Valerie Keyser from Fort Myers, FL: “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17 ESV
Cynthia from Brooklyn Park, MN
1 Peter 1:18-19 (NIV)
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
Diane, Mesa, Arizona
Just as a father has compassion on his children
So the Lord has compassion on those who revere Him.
For He knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust.
Psalm 103:13-14 NASB
Lucinda Bomberger, Watsontown, PA
Isaiah 43:1
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
Jennifer Wellesley from Neosho, Missouri
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,’This is the way; walk in it.'”
Isaiah 30:21(NIV)
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105 KJV
Be joyful in HOPE, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans12:12 NIV
Nancy Coffey
Barboursville WV
“And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”
Luke 24:5 ESV
Joyce
Seneca,SC
“Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s”
Psalm 103:5 (ESV)
Becky Bigbie from Highland Village, Tx
I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. Philippians 3:14 NLV
Trudi – Lynchburg, OH
The one who has knowledge used words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even tempered.
Proverbs 17:27
Jennifer M from Greensburg, Louisiana
God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Philippians 2:13
Kim Freeman Fort WorthTx. Psalm 139:8 NIV
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
Kim Curtis from Tulsa, OK
“The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.” Psalm 103:8 NLT