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!
Nance, Newmarket, ON Canada
And an extra verse since it is Easter weekend
“Then Jesus shouted, “Father I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words He breathed His last.”
Luke 23:46
NLT
Tammy, Sugar Land, TX
“The the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side has made him know. (NIV)
John 1:17-18
Elizabeth Moreno from Austin Texas
Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember the prisoners as if chained with them – those who are mistreated – since you yourselves are in the body also.
Hebrews 13:1-3
NKJV
Kathy
Madison, CT
“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast which enters the Presence behind the veil” Heb 6:19 NKJV
Linda Smith, Little Rock, AR “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is , His flesh,” Hebrews 10:19-20 NASB
Stacy Minor, Big Lake MN
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Eph. 1:3 NLT
Chris, Seattle, Psalm 24:7 NIV
Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
Linda W. from Tomball, TX;
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.”
Psalm 34:13 ESV
Cheryl Paganelli, Medford, NJ. “For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him”
John 3:17 (ESV)
Connie from Eugene, OR says
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” NKJV I John 1:8
Betty M Voltaire, ND Ps 139 vs 7 ESV “Where shall I go from Your Spirit or where shall I flee from Your presence?”
Kristen, Indianapolis, IN
Philemon verse 8 NIV: Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,
Amanda from Knoxville, TN
You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.
Psalm 40:5 (ESV)
Hillary Mancuso
Ft worth, tx
Jeremiah 23:29 NASB
“Is not my word like fire? Declares the Lord, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock?
Lisa, Hutchins TX
Ephesians 6:17 NIV
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Kim, Gaithersburg MD
The Spirit searches all things. Even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit within him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 2:10-11 NIV)
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:19 NIV
Vicki, from Grapevine, TX
Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. ~ Psalm 103:1 NIV
Martha Basler
Houston, TX
Ps. 103:6
The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
Denise Cholak from Euless, TX.
The sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
Psalm 136:8. NIV
Ginny from Hamden, CT
Proverbs 31:16 NKJV
She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
Happy Resurrection Day!
Darlene, Muncie, IN: “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:2 NIV
Debbie Stovall, Gardendale, AL
“He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ” Eph. 1:9 NIV
Psalm 46:6,7 (NIV) Nations are in uproar, Kingdoms fall; He lifts His voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Carol B., Conyers, GA
“But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.” Titus 2:1 (ESV)
Bridget in phoenix, AZ
Psalm 143:8 NKJV
Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.
Amy, Arlington, VA “You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.” Psalms 91:8 ESV
Joan (Coppell, TX): 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. Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Bethany, Hawley, tx
So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat? ’ or ‘What will we drink? ’ or ‘What will we wear? ’
Matthew 6:31 HCSB
Joan, Pittsburgh, PA.
PSALM 1:3. NKJV.
He shall be like a tree, planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
Cris, Virginia Beach VA
…by fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace
Ephesians 6:15 NET
Marissa Kirkland, WA
Psalm 119:169-176New English Translation (NET Bible)
ת (Tav)
169 Listen to my cry for help, O Lord!
Give me insight by your word!
170 Listen to my appeal for mercy!
Deliver me, as you promised.
171 May praise flow freely from my lips,
for you teach me your statutes.
172 May my tongue sing about your instructions,
for all your commands are just.
173 May your hand help me,
for I choose to obey your precepts.
174 I long for your deliverance, O Lord;
I find delight in your law.
175 May I live and praise you!
May your regulations help me!
176 I have wandered off like a lost sheep.
Come looking for your servant,
for I do not forget your commands.
Tracee McFarland, Morristown, TN
I have put my words in your mouth and have covered you with the shadow of my hand – I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, “You are my people.” Isaiah 51:16 NIV
Sallie Russ, Greenwood, SC “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the recruiter. 5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.”
2 Timothy 2:3-7 HCSB
Abbey Towles Russ, Greenwood, SC “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the recruiter. 5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.”
2 Timothy 2:3-7 HCSB
Elaine ~ Powder Springs, GA ~ Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow.
(Psalm 25:4 NLT)
Jennifer, Harleysville, PA
Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates -all the Hittite country- to the Great Sea on the west.
Joshua 1:4 NIV
Sandy from Bowie, MD “So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.”
Psalms 63:4(ESV)
Ashland, OH. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, He may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another. John 15:16-17 ESV
Erin Smith, Everett, WA. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Cor. 5:21 NIV
Nancy English from Laramie Wyoming
Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord.
Psalm 25:7 NIV
Vonnie Baker
Marble Hill MO
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:6 KJV
Alissa from Lexington, SC: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5 (NIV)
Melba Groves, Minooka, IL. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth. 3 John 8 NIV
Deanne Johnson Laguna Hills, CA
I have been crucified with Christ and no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live with by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20 NIV
Cherie in Joseph, OR
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV)
Jennifer from Fort Worth, Tx
“For you have made the LORD, my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place. No evil will befall you, Nor will any plague come near your tent.”
Psalms 91:9-10 NASB
Barb, Medina, Oh
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:8 NIV
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies.”
Jane from Illinois
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies.” John 11:25 NIV
Rebekah Reed from Green Bay, WI:
“Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.”
(Psalm 24:8, NKJV)