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!
Esther. Jonesborough TN. Proverbs 3:8 ESV. It [the fear of the Lord] will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
Meredith from Lubbock, TX:
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. Proverbs 25:28
Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the innermost place. Psalm 51:6 NIV
Pat
Crawfordsville, IN
Kate from Cheney, WA
For You, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, Psalm 116:8, NIV
Cheryl from Omaha, NE
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 51:12 (NIV)
Debi Newsome from Lumberton, NJ
My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Psalm 34:2 NKJV
CeCelia from Houston, Texas
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
Margaret from Beattie, KS
They will not come near you even though a thousand May fall dead beside you or ten thousand at your right side.”
Psalm 91: 7 (God’s Word)
I keep the Lord always before me because he is at my right hand. I shall not be moved. You show me the path of life in your presence there is fullness of joy in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.
NRSV. PSALM 16:8
Becky, Roswell, GA
“The one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Romans 12:8, ESV
Molly Moe Nebraska “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 NKJV
Patricia Gandy from Florence, Ms.
For by the grace you have been saved through faith,
and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8
NKJV
Summer Sikes from Louisville, KY:
“By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.”
John 5:30 NIV
Tonya,S. St. Petersburg, FL, For it is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorant and irresponsible criticisms of foolish people. 1 Peter 2:15
Janet Scarth in Amarillo, Texas Romans 5:3 (NIV) “Not only so but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;”
Janet Scarth at Amarillo, Texas Romans 5:4 (NIV) “perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Linda from Justin, Texas
Romans 12:12 NLT
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep on praying.
Nancy, Marysville, PA: “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold – though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” 1 Peter 1:7 (NLT)
Mitzi Cordle from Brandon,MS
And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 NIV
Beverly Reeder Columbus,Ms.
But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. I Samuel 12:24 NIV
Sonna, Modesto, CA
“Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:4 NASB
Tillie, Spring Branch, TX
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
Romans 12:9 NIV
Gayle failing, from Ludington, Mi
John 15:9
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. NIV
Amanda, Sherman, TX
Psalm 25:7 KJV
“Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O Lord.”
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything situation by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your request to God. PHillippians 4:6. NIV
Deb from Lancaster, PA
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants.
Psalm 89:14 NLT
Maribeth, Jackson, MS
For we are God’s handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Debbie, Portland, OR
Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord” and that he had said these things to her.
John 20:18 ESV
Michelle from Bossier City, LA
For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Poorna Diaz, Reston, Virginia: “The Messiah has made things up between us so that we’re now together on this, both non-Jewish outsiders and Jewish insiders. He tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance. He repealed the law code that had become so clogged with fine print and footnotes that it hindered more than it helped. Then he started over. Instead of continuing with two groups of people separated by centuries of animosity and suspicion, he created a new kind of human being, a fresh start for everybody.” Ephesians 2.14-15 (MSG)
Stacey, Bossier City, LA
For to me, to live is Christians to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 NIV
Brooklyn from Arvada, CO
1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT- “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
Traci McNally from Evansdale, IA
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
Romans 8:11 NIV
Patrice, Midland, TX
The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with His hand.
Psalm 37:23-24 NIV
Christine Jackman, Denham Springs, LA
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians:3:17
Kelly Snodgrass
Rogersville, TN
Proverbs 23:7a AMP
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he {in behavior}…
Rebecca Plunk
Fort Worth, TX
Ps 139: vs. 8 NAS
If I ascend to heaven, Thou art there; If I make my bed in
Sheol, behold, Thou art there.
Heidi~Lindale, Texas
Psalm 34:8 NIV
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 29:11
The Lord gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.
Jackie Jones, Pensacola, FL. “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.” Psalm 95:1 ESV
If any of you lacks wisdom,, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. I James 1:5
Emily Jordan, Virginia Beach VA
And I give eternal life to them and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
John 10;28 NAS
Stephanie B.
Augusta, GA
Eph 2:8-10 (ESV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Laura, Englewood, CO.
You also be patient and strengthen your hearts, for the Lord’s return is near. James 5:9 NET
Jude 21 “keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
Queen City TX
Colossians 3:15 NLT
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Rosi Lovell from Dunmor, KY
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. Philippians 4:11 NIV
Tanya, Sierra Vista, AZ
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” Matthew 6:33 ESV
“A fool gives vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds back.” Proverbs 29:11
Bethany from Lehigh Acres, FL
Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Proverbs 3:7