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!
Karen, Santa Ana, CA
John 15:5-8 (NIV)
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Brandi, Jacksonville Philipians 4:5, NKJV Let your gentleness be made known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Jennifer, Cottage Grove, WI
“March on, my soul; be strong!” Judges 5:21b (NIV)
Jennifer, Denham Springs, LA
Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.
Hebrews 10:35-36, NKJV
Greenville,NC
Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Psalm 36:5 NIV
Leslie, Memphis, TN
John 8:32 NIV
Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.
Deanna, Tavernier
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness.”
Jeremiah 31:3, NIV
Natalie, Roanoke, “Your decrees have been the theme of my songs wherever I have lived.” NLT
Barb-ChiangMai, Thailand
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)
Sheila, Union City, Indiana
“Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Jaclyn, Houston. “Teach me Your way, O LORD, and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.” Psalm 86:11 NIV
Marla, Mt. Juliet, TN
“I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength”
Philippians 4:13, NIV
Katie (Firestone, CO) “If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” Isa 48:18 NIV
I am so late also!!
Sandy, San Antonio, Tx
Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. Jonah 2:8 NIV
Mary Jane, Troy, KS and Cindy, King City, MO
“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.” Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV
Abilene, TX
Col 4:5-6 NAS
Conduct yourself with wisdom toward outsiders make the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned as it were with salt so that you may know how you should respond to each person.
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Matthew 9:38 NIV
Debbie,
Hattiesburg, MS
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.”
Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)
Houston, NIV Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Karen, Hewitt
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Debbie, Orlando, You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You. Isaiah 26:3 NLT
Brenda, Raleigh: I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death blessings and cursing therefore choose life, that you and your decendants may live.
Deut 30:19 NKJV
Andrea
Chester, VA
Revelation 1:3 NIV
Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take heart what is writtenin it, because the time is near.
Rachel. New Castle, IN. Titus 2:4-5. 4″Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self- controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no-one will malign the word of God.”
Sue – Lakeland, FL
Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
Col 4:6, NASB
Hi Ladies! SOrry I am so late!!! Here is my verse!
Denise, Colorado Spring, CO
“To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person.” Luke 6:27-28 Mess.
Angela H., Wisconsin(2 verses, missed last one!)
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7
Eunice, Montreal: “Praise the LORD, God our Savior, who helps us every day.” Psalms 68:19 NCV
Christy Lexington, KY
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NIV
Tracy, Hobe Sound, FL
“As for God His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.” II Samuel 22:31 NIV
giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
ESV
Ephesians 5:20
NIV Matthew 12:36
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken.
Therefore since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. Romans 5: 1 – 2A, NIV
Tammy
Ingleside, TX
PS: Some of our Sunday School class have accepted the challenge to memorize verses too! I am so thrilled that I am actually being successful at memorizing verses, as I haven’t even tried in many years! Thanks for the push!
Joanna, Norman, OK
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 KJV
Lynn, Morganton, NC
“Everything is permissible-but not everything is beneficial.
Everything is permissible-but not everything is constructive”
1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV
Kelly; Conyers, GA
Jesus replied, “Love the Lord God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”
Mathew 22: 37-38, NIV
Suzy – Atlanta:
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the Everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Isaiah 40:28-29 ESV
Mandy, Oxford: Be Still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalms 46:10 NIV
Janine, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Psalm 121:3-4, NIV.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
Kiana Lea, Austin TX
“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
Heather
Houston, TX
Psalm 57:10-11;
“For great is your love, reaching to the heavens, your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.”
NIV
Leighanne – Athens, GA
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, NLT
Sorry for delay…
Sara from Knoxville, TN
Psalm 34:4
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. (NLT)
Katalla in Fairbanks, AK “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 NIV
Robin- Rke VA Ecc 4:9-10, 12 (NKJV)
Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls. For he has no one to help him up. Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Kali, Valrico,FL
Psalm 68:11 – NIV
The Lord announces the word,
and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you. Isaiah 26:3
Psalm 147:14
He grants peace to your borders and satifies you with the finest of wheat.
We-Are-ShadeClan
Warriors Forever…
Emma Giomi – 12 years old, Concord, CA
Lezlie, Prince George, VA – So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him,
strengthened in faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7
Beth and Tori Brabham, Waco, TX
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10 NIV