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!
“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Ps. 25:4-5 NIV
Rita Brown, Midland, Texas
I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;
with my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known through all generations.
I will declare that Your love stands firm forever,
that You established Your faithfulness in heaven itself.
Psalm 89:1-2 NIV
Christy
Vidor, TX
Your verse really struck me today!
Judges 5:21b (NIV)
March on, my soul; be strong!
Becca D Surprise AZ
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
Philippians 4:13 NIV
Brenda, Fort Ashby, WV
Ephesians 3:16 (NLT)
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
Lisa (11), Fort Ashby, WV
Proverbs 30:24,25 (NLT)
There are four things on earth that are unusally wise:
Ants-they aren’t strong but store up food all summer.
Ashley, Mobile
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1 NIV
Wynetta, Iowa The Lord is my shepherd i shall not be in want. Psalm 23:1 NIV
1 Peter 5:7 Casting the whole of your care-all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
Sue
Cape Girardeau, MO,
Psalm 121:4 HCSB
Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.
I Chronicles 4:10 (NKJV)
And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying “Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that your hand would be with me, and that you would keep me from evil,that I may not cause pain.” So God granted him what he requested.
Kathy, Missouri City, TX
Sheree, Cedar Gap, Tx. “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4 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” (John 15:5, NIV).
Robin, Chaska, MN
I keep my eyes alway on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16:8 (NIV)
Lauren, Stephenville, Texas: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 ESV
Kelly, Corona, CA
Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
A little late here…
Rachel~Athens, GA
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us and establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17
“I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars.” – Isaiah 45:2
Laura, Smyrna, TN:
Psalm 86:15
But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. (NIV)
**sorry I’m late…I haven’t given up though! 🙂
Heidi, Mount Vernon, OH: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
–Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
Kathy, Austin.
“As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him;
for He know how we are formed,
He remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 103:13-14 NIV
Jennifer
Fort Worth, TX
Do not put out the Spirit’s fire, do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.
I Thes. 5:19-22
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
Arlette, Cheney
They feast on the abundance of your house;
You give them drink from Your rivers of delights.
For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.
Psalm 36:8-9 NIV
Katie, Wisconsin
Behind two, so here goes…
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion”
Pslam 84:5 ESV
“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV
Trisha, Midland, TX: “Rejoice in the LORD always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The LORD is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING!!!!, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” NIV
Christy Crosby – Clarksville TN
I can’t remember if I posted my Feb 15th verse… so here it is
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31 NIV
Here’s my verse for March 1st:
” Do EVERYTHING without grumbling and arguing!” Philippians 2:14 NIV
Boy do I need that one this week 🙂
Ali, Tampa “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not is vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor 15:58 NASB
From LC
Everything is possible for him who believes. Mark 9:23 NIV
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all of creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:38-39
Suse, Nashville
Melinda, Memphis
Cappie, Memphis
“This is what the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel says:
I am the LORD your God
who teaches you for your benefit
who leads you in the way you should go.”
Isaiah 48:17 (HCSB)
Today is truly a day to MARCH FORTH!
Kim, Farmers Branch, TX: Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. Col. 3:23 ESV
Phyllis
Rolling Hills Estates
We say they are happy because they did not give up. You have heard about Job’s patience and you know the Lord’s purpose for hime in the end. You know the Lord is full of mercy and is kind.
James 5:11 NCV
Sharon
Vicksburg,MS
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
Portland, OR
For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13, NIV
Krystal Comer
Chesterfield, IN
Proverbs 3: 5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
I’m running late this time, but I WILL do this!!
Tonia, Atlanta
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
Karen, Martinsville, NJ
“Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.”
~Psalm 116:7 (NAS)
Erika Chapman
Florence, SC
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires, since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:24-25
NIV
Stacy, Bowling Green, KY Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am my servant will also be. My Father will honor tho one who serves me. John 12:25-26 NIV
Doris, Whiteville, Psalm 50:23 NIV “He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me,
and he prepares the way
so that I may show him the salvation of God.”
Vicky…Sherman, TX…”As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” 1 Peter 4:10 NIV
“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
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
April, Magnolia, TX
“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24 NKJV
Andrea, Marietta, Ga. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you. Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
Wendy – Conway, AR
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Loganville, GA
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Ephesians 5:22 NKJV
Kristi Norris
Where words are many sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue his wise
Proverbs 10:19 NIV
Jennifer, Denver
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
2 Cor. 10:4 NIV