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!
Kathleen, Georgetown, Tx
Good an upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
Psalm 25:8 NIV
Robin Wickman, Eli, NE – “he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.”
Isaiah 25:8 NIV
If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
– Romans 12:8 NLT
Heather Smith
Nashville, TN
If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
– Romans 12:8
Glenda Jensen
Port Saint Lucie FL
Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives. Titus 3:14 NIV
Ingrid from Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada
“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.”
Psalms 5:11 NLT
Janice, Gulf Breeze, FL. Verse 8 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12 :2 NIV
Terri Fullerton, Abilene, TX
Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4, NIV
Marsha R. Columbia SC
You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
Psalm 91:13 ESV
Gina Rosamond, Ca
John 10:11 NASB
“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Kayla Lane; Bloomington, IL
This I declare about the Lord; He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.
Psalms 91:2 NLT
Mary Elliff in Seattle: John 15:8 “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”
Melva Melendez from Gainesville VA: “He was taken from prison and from judgement, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. Isaiah 53:8 NKJV
The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1st Samuel 16:7 b c NIV
Vicki from Harrisonville, MO: Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
Vicki from Harrisonville, MO: Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 5:10 niv
Jacqueline from LA: “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 (NLT)
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalms 34:1
Diane from Cypress, TX
“But godliness with contentment is great gain,”
1 Timothy 6:6 ESV
Karen Sanders,Burleson, TX. “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 NIV
Debbie Fitzpatrick, Bossier City, LA
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:7 NIV
Dottie Morrow, Mansfield, TX “Then you will walk safely in your way and your foot will not stumble. Proverbs 3:23 NKJV
Tessa Pierce Nacogdoches TX NKJV
Psalm 40:14-15
14)Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion
Who seek to destroy my life;
Let them be driven backward and brought to dishonor
Who wish me evil.
15) Let them be confounded because of their shame
Who say to me, “Aha, aha!”
Tina from Los Osos, CA:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 NASB)
Melisa from MT
1Peter 5:9 (NIV)
“Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of suffering.”
Amy from Milwaukee, WI
He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. Psm 40:2&3 NLT
Richmond, TX
Numbers 6:26 NIV
the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.
Isaiah 53:5 NIV But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
Cary, NC
1 Cor 7:17 ESV
Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.
Amanda Joy Love ~ Columbus Ohio “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1, NIV)
Anita Siecker, Chesterfield, VA
Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Psalm 90:1 NIV84
Tini Siders, Montgomery Texas “There is none righteous, not even one;” Romans 3:10 NASB
Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands. Matthew 10:28 Message
Janice W Barber, Virginia Beach, VA.
Psalm 51:8 NIV
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Carolyn, St. Catharines, ON
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.
Jeremiah 17:7 (ESV)
Lisa from Blue Ridge, VA
“What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.”
Romans 4:1-2 NIV
Brady Bradshaw, Orlando, FL. “nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.”
Psalm 91:6 NIV
Candie – Waterlo, Iowa “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
Amy, Albemarle, NC
so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
-Colossians 1:10, ESV
Anne from Spokane, WA:
“For since the beginning of the world men have not heard not perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, who acts for the one who waits for Him.”
Isaiah 64:4 NKJV
Dana Nance
Blue Ridge, Texas
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
Psalm 139:8 NIV (1984)
Samantha Sivils from Bude, MS
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV
Terri, Columbus OH Psalm 27:14 NIV
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Debra
Baraboo, Wisconsin
“Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.” Colossians 3:11 (ESV)
Diane from Littleton, CO
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Ephesians 5:18 NIV
Connie Windham
Picayune, MS
For God did not give us a spirit of fear but of
power,love, and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
Peggyann Calderwood ~ Crestview, Florida
But the Lord is the one who is marching before you! He is the one who will be with you! He won’t let you down. He won’t abandon you. So don’t be afraid or scared!” Deuteronomy 31:8 (CEB)
Always Remember Jesus Loves You
Proverbs 9:10
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Paulette Mays
Elmer, La
Peggy, Cheyenne, Wyoming
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14 NIV
Marilyn , Houston, TX; “The LORD is my shepherd’ I have what I need.” Psalm 23:1 CSB
Susannah from Cypress, TX
“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.”
Psalms 143:8 NLT