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!
Kelly – Orlando, FL
But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
2 Peter 1:9, NLT
Casey Hale, Roanoke, Texas
“The Lord is good and does the right thing; he teaches sinners which way they should go.”
Psalm 25:8 – CEB
Marie from Frederick, MD
Psalm 32:8 NCV
The Lord says “I will make you wise and show you where to go. I will guide and watch over you.”
Kathy Baird, Denver, Colorado. “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —–yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4: 14-16 NIV
Andy why worry about a speck in your friend;s eye when you have a log in your own?
Matt 7:3
Dalene, Scottsdale, AZ
“I will guide you & teach you the way you should go. I will give you good advice and watch over you with love.”
Psalm 32:8
Emily from Cincinnati
But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Deuteronomy 4:29 NIV
Emily Davis, Loveland, CO. “You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forever.” Psalm 16:11 (NASB)
Deb Davis, Loveland, CO. “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall always be with the Lord!” I Thessalonians 4:17 (NKJV)
Cassia from Spring, TX
I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my situation has actually turned out to advance the gospel. Phil 1:12 NET
Claire in Lexington, KY
Deuteronomy 6:9 – You shall write them on the doorposts of you house and on your gates.
Mary-Katherine, Palm Coast, FL
Jesus said, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” John 20:15 NRSV
Nikki, Franklin, TN, “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Mary Saul
Houston, TX
2 Timothy 8; So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me His prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God. (HCSB)
Ann, Mapleton, ME
Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way.
Psalm 25:8 NASB
Madeleine: Corrales: This is a trustworthy saying:If we died with Him,we will also live with Him. If we endure,we will also reign with Him. 2 Tim. 2: 11-12 NIV
Margaret, Salem,VA
“How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”
Hebrews 9:14 ESV
Yael Hernandez, New York, NY
1 Peter 1:5 NIV
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;
Cheryl from Everett, PA
“For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.” James 1:11 NASB
Diane from Santa Clarita, CA
“”Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, And gather you from the west.”
Isaiah 43:5 NASB
Julie Ivins from Lynchburg, VA
Colossians 3:13 NASB
“…bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”
Joan Portage, MI
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exalts, and with my song I give thanks to Him.” Psalms 28:7 ESV
Angie Miller – Macon, MS
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8, NIV
Patrice in ABQ
“Don’t assume you know it all. Run TO God! Run FROM evil!”
Proverbs 3:7 (The Message)
Sarah Boyce, Columbia, MO
13 She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
4/15/17 Cheryl in Fairhope, AL –“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6 NIV)
Linda Steinacher, Wichita, KS
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
Luke 17:5 NIV
Sandra Larrañaga Bowe San Jon NM
Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
Psalm 25:8 NIV
Susan Mahomet, IL – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Given thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Eva, Knoxville, TN – “with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Ephesians 6:18b NIV
Gretchen, Prosper, TX
Romans 8:6 NLT
So letting your sinful nature control your minds leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
Carol, Bryan, TX “O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly, my soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1 NASB
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
Cindy C., San Diego, CA
My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 63:8 (ESV)
Shari from Long Beach, California says:
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8 (NKJV)
Sue Anderson from Waco, Texas
“He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,” (Luke 24:6 KJV)
Janelle from La Habra Heights, CA: ”For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV
Tina, Zalma MO. We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (NIV)
Sarah LeJeune, Cypress, CA
“and make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV
Diane LeJeune, Fairview, TN
“and make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. You should mind your own business and work with your heads, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV
Belinda Shrader – Grundy, VA
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
Fran Scott, Stafford, TX: Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus. Acts 3:19-20 ESV
Grace Kunde, Sandy UT
Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord! Psalm 25:7 ESV
Sara Martin, Humble, TX: “My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
Psalm 27:8 NIV
Kelly, Missouri City, TX ” Arise , cryout in the night, as the watches of night begin, pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to Him. ”
Lamentations 2: 19 NIV
Gina from Gadsden:
NKJV Psalm 103:8
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
Laura, Minneapolis, MN.
“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” Romans 5:10 (ESV)
“I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8 NIV
Linda, Holts Summit, MO
Philemon 1:8 NIV
Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,