Hey, my dear Siestas!
Knowing I had to pop out of bed this morning to post for SSMT, I actually dreamed about you guys last night! We were at the celebration on a break between sessions and it was wonderful, beautiful chaos in the halls and teeming joy in the hearts. Now, that’s the kind of dream I want to have. I so hope you are well and that God’s Word is alive on your tongue and thriving in your everyday experience. Remember, He sends forth His Word to accomplish something. It’s meant to have effect and I pray you’re feeling the vivid power of it. I can’t think of the last time my memory verses came to me with more pure conviction. I can feel the friction they’re causing internally and the jagged edges they’re sanding externally.
Our minds are already four Scriptures stronger than they were when we broke open 2011 and that, my darling sisters, is a great accomplishment all by itself! I noticed we dropped back well over a thousand on the last SSMT entry and that’s completely normal. There’s no condemnation here. The natural tendency will be to have less and less participants as we have more and more verses to memorize. But I want to encourage you to stick it out if you possibly can because we’re not restricted to normal. The Apostle Paul claimed in 1 Corinthians 3:3 under the inspiration of God that we are more than “mere men.” In 2 Corinthians 4:7, he said we are jars of clay encasing the unspeakable treasure of the knowledge of Jesus Christ and that, through this treasure we “show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” A long way from normal. I always thought normal was overrated anyway.
I stared at the calendar yesterday almost with disbelief as February peeled off the page and I turned to March. As I glared at the word “March”, I thought to myself, “Not a bad theme for the month.” March, as a matter of fact, is a very Biblical word. The thought caused me to smile and then to look up every single occurrence of the word in Scripture and, there in those verses, the Lord spoke a fresh word to me. Maybe you could use it, too. Here are a handful of “march” Scriptures with a few thoughts that spun around in my bleached blond head:
Joshua 6:4 –
“Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets.”
Perhaps it won’t surprise you that the word “march” makes regular appearances in this book of the Bible so, if you’re in the wilderness longing to cross that river of fear and enter a land of fruitfulness, you might venture a fresh look at it. Here’s what hit me about Joshua 6:4 –
Marching tends takes a heap longer than we expect and a different form than we might rationalize. Think how odd all that marching-around-in-circles must have been to some of those Israelites. On top of that, consider that God never instructed another group of people to take exactly that same approach again in the pages of Scripture. He told Abraham to do one thing. Moses, another. Joshua, another. David, still another. All were in keeping with His will and His character but the variance in prescribed acts of obedience reminds us that God is resistant to our relentless pursuit of formulas. God knows, if we could rationalize it, we’d institutionalize it. We’d have 2500 satellite locations of the “First Church of Seven Circles.”
In case I’m losing you, or the whole idea of marching through March is too much for you, I’ll speed up.
In 2 Samuel 15:22, David told one of his mighty men: “Go ahead, march on.”
Point? If God is saying go ahead, then GO.AHEAD.
I like that. Nice and simple. If go, then go.
Maybe what you need most of all this March is for God to march right through your wilderness and rain down showers upon it from the seas in His hands. Think of praying this segment today over the 30 days ahead.
Psalm 68:7-11
7 When You, God, went out before your people,
when You marched through the wilderness,
8 the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain,
before God, the One of Sinai,
before God, the God of Israel.
9 You gave abundant showers, O God;
You refreshed Your weary inheritance.
10 Your people settled in it,
and from Your bounty, God, You provided for the poor.
11 The Lord announces the word,
and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng.
(I love the part about refreshing the weary inheritance. Is that you, perchance?? It’s certainly been me at times over the last year. And how about V.11? Does that sound a little like Siestaville?? It blessed me to think maybe so.)
How about one more?
Isaiah 42:13 – The Lord will march out like a champion, like a warrior He will stir up His zeal; with a shout He will raise the battle cry and will triumph over His enemies.
And so, with all this March madness in mind for this month, could anybody use a really brief verse this go-round to help you catch up? Then I have just the March verse for you:
Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
Let’s hear it, Siestas! First name, city, verse, translation!
Beth, Houston. Think of how we regard as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and you have seen the Lord’s purpose, that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 5:11 The NET Bible
Amen to that. March on, Sisters! Your God is for you!
I love you guys.
PS. For all you Houston-area girls, Kari Jobe is our guest worship-leader tonight at Bible study. Come help me welcome her. We only have two more Tuesday nights in this series and you don’t need any background whatsoever to receive from our subject matter tonight. We’d especially love to have you if you’ve never been before. Let someone on my sweet staff know you’re there for the first time. They’ll make sure you feel welcome. See you at 6:30!
Tracey Knight ~ Arkadelphia AR
(continuing this passage…)
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 NIV2010
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6
Tracey, When I first logged in to this blog today I felt the strong urge to go to page 1…36 pages had posts already…and there your were, a fellow Siesta from Arkansas! Are you attending the Women of Joy Conference in Branson this April? Just wondering.
Your Siesta from Pottsville, AR…Dawn.
Susan (Nokomis IL) Guide me in your truth, and teach me, my God, my Savior. I trust you all day long. Psalm 25:5 (NCV)
Deanna, Maytown AL
He has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.
2 Timothy 1:9 NIV
Whoot Whoot #3 WTG Dee! :o)
Michele
Liverpool, NY
εἴ τις λαλεῖ, ὡς λόγια θεοῦ• εἴ τις διακονεῖ, ὡς ἐξ ἰσχύος ἧς χορηγεῖ ὁ θεός, ἵνα ἐν πᾶσιν δοξάζηται ὁ θεὸς διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ᾧ ἐστιν ἡ δόξα καὶ τὸ κράτος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων, ἀμήν. 1Pet 4.11, NA27
Shelly, Greenville
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8 NIV
Just wanted to say hello to a fellow Pitt County SIESTA!Good to see you here. Be blessed!
BTW, I’m in Winterville.
Hi! I’m near PCMH! Good to see you up here, too!
Rene, Abilene “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” Job 33:4 NIV
michelle
Woodstock, VT
Matthew 6:33-34 (nasb)
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Suzanne, Harrisville, RI
LORD, I love the house where You dwell,
the place where Your glory resides.
Psalm 26:8 HCSB
Beth from Emmalena, KY:
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
Hebrews 12:1 KJV
Laurie, Gibsonville, NC
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me” Psalm 51:10 (APM Bible)
Allayne, Bangkok, Thailand.
The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Jill Vandalia, MO
March on, my soul; be strong
Judges 5:21B NIV
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
” For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
Jane Inman, Kokomo, IN
“that you have forgotten the LORD your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth; that you fear continually all day long because of the fury of the oppressor as he makes ready to destroy? But where is the fury of the oppressor?” Isaiah 51:13 (NAS)
Peggy, Corpus Christi, TX If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV
Georgia – “My food”, said Jesus, “is to do the will of Him who sent me and finish His work.” John 4:34 (NIV)
This is what the Lord says – Your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”
Isaiah 48:17 – NIV
Amy
Norfolk, MA
Continuing my GRACE theme for 2011.
Ephesians 1: 7-8 (NIV)
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s GRACE that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
Leah
Blairsville, GA
Sarah, New Palestine, Indiana
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (NIV)
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Stephanie, Oscar, LA
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12:11-13 NIV
Diana, Seekonk, Ma
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.
Matthew 18:20 NIV
Ashley Sullens
Kings Mountain, NC
Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.
Kay, Tupelo, MS
“To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy–to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord before all ages, now and forevermore.” Jude 24-25 NIV
Missi- Walker, LA:
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Philippians 4:6 NLT
Phyllis
Gilmer, Tx
Psalm 62: 5
find rest, O my soul, in god alone; my hope comes from him.
NIV
“God”
Laura, Englewood. “For you are a people holy to the
Lord your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of
the earth, The Lord has chosen you to be his treasured
possession.” Deuteronomy 14:2NIV
Lori – Syracuse
Lamentations 3:19-26 (NIV)
I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
Hallelujah!
AmyLynn in Chicago
McKinney, Texas
going simple, but powerful! Thanks for encouraging us to march on!
Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
Amy, Lexington, KY
Isaiah 43:2-3a
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and 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 ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Alyson, Washington, DC- For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13, NLT.
Terri in Mount Holly, NC: Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. 2 Timothy 1:14 (NASB)
Debbie Pinckney, MI
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Psalm 34:5 NIV
Jessica, Toronto
A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks insult.
Proverbs 12:16 NASV
Faith
Eau Claire, WI
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, she is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
2 Cor. 5:17 (NIV)
Hurrah ! Another “Wisconsinite” !
In Christ’s Love, Jennifer
Psalm 73:25-26 NIV
“Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever”
I love You, O Lord my strength.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:1-2
Melissa Irwin, Nashvile TN: Matthew 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” NIV
Janet-Montgomery, NY
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Amanda, Drummonds TN
I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.
Psalm 119:45 NIV
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:1-4 NIV
Tucson
“He will have no fear of bad news, his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on
his foes.”
Psalm 112:7-8 NIV
Nicole, Jacksonville, AL: ” But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.” Lamentations 3 21-22 ESV
Joyce in Lebanon, Tn
Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.
James 4:8a NLT
Pam, Rome GA ~~
“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
Romans 10:10 (NIV)
Rachel, Rochester, NY — Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139: 23-24 NIV
Joyce Wahpeton ND
Hebrews 13:15-16 NIV
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess His name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for such sacrifices God is pleased.
Beckie, Washington DC: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11: 29-30 (NIV)
Vicki Knott, Greenwood, SC
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2 (NIV)
Sam, Johannesburg, South Africa
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)
Tammie, Columbia, SC
Psalm 68:7-11
7 When You, God, went out before your people,
when You marched through the wilderness,
8 the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain,
before God, the One of Sinai,
before God, the God of Israel.
9 You gave abundant showers, O God;
You refreshed Your weary inheritance.
10 Your people settled in it,
and from Your bounty, God, You provided for the poor.
11 The Lord announces the word,
and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng.