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!
Alison – Richmond, VA
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:12-13 (NIV)
Sydney, Australia
“See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity; in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgements, that you may live and multiply, and that the LORD your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess it.”
Deuteronomy 30:15,16
“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10 NIV).
Barb, Shelby Twp,MI Sorry to be late, had surgery March 1st.
Isa. 30:15 NIV. This is what the Sovereign Lord says” In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.’ “
Paulette-Jacksonville, FL
Trust in the Lord will all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all of your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Jennifer, Houston
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100–NIV)
Kelly, St. Paul, MN
(These are my verses for all of March)
Colossians 1:9-12, The Message
Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.
Angela – Hampton VA
Ephesians 2:9 NIV
…not by works so that no one can boast.
(random fragment,but it continues from last month!)
Linda; Laurel, Ms.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
John 1:1-3 NASV
Jackie, Brockville,
Do not be afraid or terrified because of them for the, Lord your God goes with you, he will never leave you or forsake you.(NIV)
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust in him and he will do this. Psalm 37 4&5. NIV
Autumn – Foster, KY
I’m working on memorizing Philippians 1
Philippians 1:1-4 (NIV)
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God every time I remember you.
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
Ps 119: 36-37 (NIV)
Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
Heather J.
Macclenny, FL
Audra Murray Ky
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
Julie Boone NC Hebrews 12:1-2a NIV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and
the sin that so easily entangles us,
and let us run with perseverance
the race marked out for us.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus…
Linda, Atlanta,Georgia
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. I John 4:16 NIV
Kathy, Corinth Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NASB
Debbie ~Modesto Ca
Rev 17:14 NLT
Together they will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because hi is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. and his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.
amy – cherry hill, nj
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
Titus 3:4-5(a), NIV
Melanie, Blacksburg, VA – No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Rom. 8:37 NIV
I have been doing very bad at posting my verses on the blog but each time we do as new scriture I test several of my coworkers on their verse.
I am using the ESV Bible, My name is Haley, I am 20 years old, Big Lake Minnesota
Here are the two I forgot to post
February-
James 1:22
March-
John 14:1
Becky, Dayton Ohio
2 Peter 1:3 NIV “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Philippians 2:6 NAS
“…who although existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,”
and I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Phil. 1:6 ESV
Tami Wisely, Phoenix,
I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name. O Most High. Psalm 9:2 NLT
Laura
Goshen, IN
I will cleanse you of all your impurities and all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:25-26 (NIV)
Judy, Russellville, Arkansas
Catching up
#4
“Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”
Jeremiah 23:29
#5
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
Hi Judy! Excited to see a Siesta so close. I’m just down the road in Pottsville. Would love to meet you sometime! Dawn Edgell
Grace- Silver City, NM
“Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord.” Ps. 102:18
“[Wisdom] will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying.” Proverbs 3:17 New Living Translation
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
Proverbs 14: 26-27
“In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.”
(NKJV)
Psalm 81:1-2 NIV
Sing for joy to God our strength;
Shout aloud to the God of Jacob!
Begin the music, strike the tambourine,
Play the melodious harp and lyre.
Tori D. Mays
Elmer, La
But if anyone obeys God’s Word, God’s love is truly made complete in Him. This is how we know we are in Him. 1John 2:5 NIV
Jannifer from Nappanee, Indiana: Mostly what God does is love you. Ephesians 5:2 MSG
Cindy,prairieville, Do not be anxious about anything,but in everything,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. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17
NIV
Amy
B’ham
Jodi-IN
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a
spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Loretta, Niagara Falls, NY
Proverbs 29:11 NAS
A fool always looses his temper, But a wise man holds it back.
Philippians 2:3-4
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.
Beth we are almost a week late because we have had sickness and 2 broken bones in our house!
Lisa in Montgomery, TX
Isaiah 46:4 NIV
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.
Annabelle in Montgomery, TX
Judges 5:21 NIV
March on, my soul; be strong!
“But I will sacrifice to you with the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the LORD.
Jonah 2:9
Jeannie Crossland
Brookneal, VA
Brenda – Midland, Texas
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Eph 2:8
” No one can stop God from saving when He sets His mind to it.” 1 Samuel 14:6 The Message
Stacey, Shreveport “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6/NIV
D’Anna from Philadelphia, PA.
Isaiah 42:13 (New International Version, ©2011)
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.
Janan, Houston: Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, Psalm 103:4 NIV
Jenifer Smith, Clearwater, FL
Psalm 77:14 (NIV)
“You are the God who performs miracles; You display Your power among the peoples.”
Kim – Centertown, MO
My Grandma’s “911” verse…she had her 101st birthday on March 1st!
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 (NIV, 1984)
Lavonda
Atlanta, Ga
A person’s wisdom yields patience.
It’s to your glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 19:11 NIV
Carol, Santa Maria, 2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV, “Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”