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!
Newburgh, IN
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NIV
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NIV
Annette from Temple, Texas
“Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25-26 NIV
Patti, Northville: “God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don’t throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails!” ~ Psalm 51:10-12 (MSG)
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
Proverbs 31:25 (NIV)
“We demolish arguments and every pretention that sets itself against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Jan Olney Texas
2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
Lindsey- Dothan, AL
Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
~James 1:2-3 HCSB
Katie (aka Foolish no more), Cleveland, Oklahoma:
“A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.” Proverb 14:1 NLT
Bobbie, Arlington, Texas
King James Version – Matthew 28:20b –
And lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Tammy, Corona CA: “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; NIV
Wendy
Waterford, VT
Do not sore up for yourselves treasures on earth, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven; for where your treasure is there your heart will be also
Matt. 6:19-21 NAS
Denise, Walton, Kentucky
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 niv
Be joyful always;
pray continually;
give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Kelli, El Cajon CA
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything [I] can understand. His peace will guard [my] heart and mind as [I] live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 NLT [emphasis mine]
Sharon, Henderson,
Sing to the Lord, bless his name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
Psalm 96:2NASB
Nicole,Easley,SC
1 Thessalonians 5:14 (ESV)
14And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
Kirsten
Lubbock, TX
“The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.”
Proverbs 27:9, NLT
Wendy, Broken Arrow OK “I am blessed, O Lord, because You discipline, instruct, and teach me out of Your Word. That You may give me power to keep myself calm in the days of adversity.” Ps. 94:12,13 NLT
Becky
Mechanicsville, VA
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Joanne, Timberlea: Ephesians 1:17-19, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”
Barbara
Midland, Texas
(sorry I am late)
Psalm 28:7 (ESV)
“The Lord is my strength and my shield in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
Karen..Ocomomococ,Wisconsin Hebrews 11;1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Lauren, Seattle, WA
Psalm 62:8 (The Message)
“So trust Him absolutely, people; lay your lives on the line for Him. God is a safe place to be.”
Amy
Los Angeles, CA
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work (!),
2 Cor. 9:8, ESV
Trisa, Aberdeen
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7
I received my wrist band for when you come to Baltimore in September! I’m so excited and even more excited that I have some great sisters in Christ coming with me!
Stay safe on the road and try to rest up!!
Katherine; Nipomo, CA
A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. Prov. 19:11 (NIV)
Hannah – League City, Tx
“Yet I am always with you; you hold my by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. 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 f my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:23-26; NIV
Deborah J., Clearwater, Florida
Before they call, I will answer. (Isaiah 65:24, NIV)
Deuteronomy 32:4 NIV
He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.
Amen and Amen!
Wendi Jones–Murray, KY
When she speaks she has something worthy to say and she says it kindly
Proverbs 31:26
(Message)
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. ~Proverbs 31:16-17 KJV
Lincoln, RI
Lori, San Angelo, Texas
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV
I think I forgot to ever post my first scripture in Feb. so I am one behind even though I have been working out. So here is my number 4 and 5.
#4 is Jeremiah 31:16– NLT But now this is what the Lord say: “do not weep any longer, for I will reward you,” says the Lord. “Your children will come back to you from the distant land of the enemy”
#5 is Revelation 17:14–NLT Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.”
Suzanne
Charleston, SC
Cindy Ferndale
NKJV
James 5:16 b
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins
Luke 5:24
Carrie Jones
Ontario, Canada
Stephanie, Glen Burnie, MD
Romans 12:9-13 ESV
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with a brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Tammie, Birmingham – But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. 2 Peter 3:18 NIV
Susanne, South Carolina
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
Paula, Newark, OH
March on, my soul; be strong!
Judges 5:21b NIV
Phyllis
Charlotte, NC
Way late but hanging in!
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
[1] Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual* act of worship.
[2] Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Esther, Eutingen, Germany
Psalm 34:5 “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” NIV
JoAnn, Macomb, MI
Isa. 43:1-2
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 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.” NIV
Glen Allen, VA Phillipians 4:19 NKJ
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Martha, Birmingham, AL
“For even the pagans run after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:32-34 NIV
My apologies for my tardiness… Between work and illness I’ve had to prioritize my time – internet did not make the list the last couple of weeks.
Michelle Bentham – Watauga.
Isaiah 58:10(MSG)
“If you are generous with the hungry
and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out,
Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness,
your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.”
“Accept O Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.” Psalm 119:108
Kimberly, McComb, MS
Do nothing out of selfish ambitions 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 2:3-4 NIV
Allie, Memphis: “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2 NIV
Abby, Warrenton, 2 Cor 5:17. If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come.
Carol, Warrenton, 2 Cor 5:17. If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come.
Annabelle, Warrenton, Even a child is known by his doings. Prov 20:11 KJV