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!
Karin from Toronto, Canada
“He who covers an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”
Prov 17:4 NIV
Toni Sidler, Argyle, TX
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
Jen B, Santa Maria, CA: 2 Tim 2:19 – Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.” (NASB)
Kelley, Bad Axe, MI
“Indeed the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.”
Heb 4:12 NAB
Marjorie Helen, Lampasas, TX
Ephesians 6:16 NIV
“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
Jennifer from Cumming, GA
“He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber.”
Psalm 121:3 (NIV)
Connie Salmen, Longmont, CO
And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.
1 Peter 1:8 (NASB)
Karen, Clarksville, “Let Your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in You alone.”
Psalm 33:22 NLT
Amy from Hanscom AFB
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hears be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV
Kay Tucker, Elyria, Ohio
“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:” I Cor. 1:30, KJV
Dana from Ashland, KY
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.”
1 Timothy 1:12b HCSB
Lisa from Pennsylvania
Psalm 139:6
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Peg Suveg, Naperville, IL
“that He lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,” Ephesians 1:8 (NIV)
Lydia from Middletown, OH (Oops! I was distracted by Easter!) 🙂
Isaiah 43:4, NKJV
“Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life.”
Beth Belflower
Caddo Mills, Texas
James 5:12-But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. ESV
Kelei Liggett. Iowa Park, Texas
Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who makes the storm clouds. He gives Showers of rain to men, and plants to the field to everyone. Zachariah 10 1 NIV
Kim in Arvada CO
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly. Psalm 40:10 (NIV)
Isaiah 43:2 NIV
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; When you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you a blazed.
Laura in Aurora, MO
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord
has compassion on those who fear him.
Psalm 103:11-13 (NIV)
“For every child of God defeats the evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:4-5)
NLT – Julie from Lexington, KY
Lyli, Fort Lauderdale
They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.
Psalm 34:5 NKJV
“Deliver me from all my transgressions; Make me not the reproach of the foolish.” Ps 39:8 NASB
Jody B. in Huntsvile, AL NIV
Psalm 63:6
“On my bed I remember You; I think of You through the watches of the night.”
Stephanie from Houston, TX: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Teresa from Tyler, TX
“And if you love and obey the LORD, you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Debbie, New Lenox, IL
“You will keep in perfect peace the mind that is dependent on You, for it is trusting in You.” Isaiah 26:3 HCSB
Arlene C. From Georgetown Tx :
All my children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their PEACE. Isaiah 54:13 (NIV)
Kathy, Albuquerque, NM
2 Peter 1:11 HCSB
For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you.
Brooklyn from Arvada, CO
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” – Hebrews 6:10 (NIV).
Michelle Mason from Lehigh Acres, Fl “So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.”
2 Timothy 1:8 NLT
Vicki H. Knott, Greenwood, SC
“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:6 (ESV)
Kathy from Gahanna, OH
Isaiah 55:8 (ESV)
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
Shannon Vasquez from Littleton, CO:
He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. ~2 Samuel, 22:17, NLT
Kathy Rowland
Fort Wayne, IN
Remember Your mercy, O Lord,
and Your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
Psalm 25:6 (ESV)
Dana, Avon, Indiana
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Gal. 2:20 KJV
Peggy, Santa Ana, CA
Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you. Mark 11:24 (NASB)
Jennie Marie Knoll – DeWitt, AR
Genesis 50:20a (NIV) But as for you? You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good.
Julia Eisiminger, Ortonville, Michigan “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5 (ESV)
Tami, Clearwater, FL
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight.
Debra – Illinois
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are
walking in truth. 3 John 4 ESV
Sheri
Georgetown, TX
“For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake but my lovingkindness will not be removed from you. And my covenant of peace will not be shaken,” says the Lord who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 (NASB)
Summer Summers in Castle Rock, CO, “Your beauty should be that of your inner self. The unfailing beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is of great worth in Gods sight.” 1 Peter 3:4
Psalm 73:26 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” NIV
Bonnie from Bellaire, TX says ‘Turn my eyes away from worthless things, preserve my life according to your word.’ Psalm 119:37 NIV84
Nora Cardona, Lexington, KY: Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13 NIV
Stacy, Ruston, LA
“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”
1 John 4:4 NASB
Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD. Psalm 25:7 NKJV
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Romans 15:13 ESV
Lynnet Asselta from Flower Mound, TX: “For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.” John 17:8 NIV
Cindy Dowden, La Grande, Oregon
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
James 4:8 NKJ