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!
God can do anything, you know- far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Ephesians 3:20 (Message)
Cara, Wexford, PA Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret — it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
Psalm 37:7-9
Lisa, Kingston Springs, TN.
These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1Peter1:7 NIV
jamie, corbin,ky
Colossians 3:15a NIV
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts
Marcella
Crosby, TX
Isaiah 25:1 NIV
LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.
Leviticus 24:3 The LORD is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him.
Hope, AR
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures and that He was buried and that He rose again the third day, according to the scriptures.
I Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV
Sorry to post late. Was out of town.
Paulette
Nogalus Prairie
“He has told you, O man, what is good, and what the Lord really wants from you: He wants you to promote justice, to be faithful, and to live obediently before your God.”
NET Bible
Alison P.
McComb, MS
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 (NIV)
Ashley, Oil City, LA. “If the Lord does not build the house, those who build it labor in vain. If the Lord does not watch over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest. For he gives to his beloved sleep.” Psalm 127.1-2 ESV
Roxanne, Frankfort. “…whatever you did to the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1
from Clyde, MO
Matthew 7:7-8 NRSV “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Allison Atlanta, GA “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” Colossians 4:2 NLT
Jennifer B, Fuquay Varina, NC,
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,
I Corinthians 6:19
“And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them.” Deut. 28:13, NKJV
Patti, Kissimmee, FL
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1 NIV
Mandie-Parker, CO
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
1 Peter 5:10 ESV
Stephanie, Idaho
Psalm 126
5 Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
6 He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him. ~NKJV
Bethany S.
Modesto, California
You shall fear the Lord your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. HE IS YOUR PRAISE. HE IS YOUR GOD, who has done for you these great and terrifying things that your eyes have seen.
Deuteronomy 10:20-21
ESV
Mary, Westfield, NJ “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NIV)
Bella
Rochester, Michigan
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Phil4.4-5 (NIV)
Romans 6:6 “Your old evil desires were nailed to the cross with Him the part of you that loves sto sin was crushed. Now your sin loving body is no longer under sin’s control. It not longer needs to be a slave to sin.”
Elizabeth R., Cypress, Texas
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
Psalm 30:11-12 (NASB)
Kandi, Little Rock, AR
And the glory of the Lord will be revealed and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
Isaiah 40:8 NIV
Nakeisha
Houston, TX
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me.
-Psalm 118:6
Jenn, Leesburg, VA “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Gal 1:10 NIV
Lisa Corbin,KY
“However, the LORD your God…turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.
Deut. 23:5 (NIV)
Landa, Midlothian, VA – Hebrews 12:7 – “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?” NIV
Annie, Kansas City: “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (NAS)
Kate, Aurora CO
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks HIM. Lam 3:25
Caroline, Kansas City: “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (NAS)
Hannah;Dayton,OH; Psalms 18:28 “You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.”; New International Version
Teri, Spearfish, SD –
The LORD shall go forth like a mighty man; He shall stir up His zeal like a man of war. He shall cry out, yes, shout aloud; He shall prevail against His enemies. Isaiah 42:13 (NKJ)
Krista, Portland
You, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
Psalm 3:3
Rene, Overland Park, KS
Since before time began no one has ever imagined, No ear heard, no eye seen, a God like you who works for those who wait for him.
Isaiah 64:4 The Message
Psalm 34:15 NIV
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry.
Lindsay, Lee’s Summit, MO
“Our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.” Romans 6:6, New Living Translation
Kelly, New Cumberland, PA
Matthew 11:28 NASB
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Mindy Laurel, NE
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. James 3:9-10 NIV
Orange County, CA
But be sure in deciding these matters that you are living as God intended,…and accepting whatever situation God has put you into. 1 Corinthians 7:17 TLB
Michelle Buhl, Olathe, KS
For God wants you to be holy and pure, and to keep clear of all sexual sin so that each of you will marry in holiness and honor. Not in lustful passion as the heathen do, in their ignorance of God and His ways.
The Living Bible
1 Thessalonians 4: 3-5
Christi – Colleyville, TX
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 trumpets.”
But the Lord still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for him to help them. Is 30:18 NLT
Sherry, Dallas
Using one of yours!
March on, my soul; be strong! Judges 5:21b(NIV)
Michelle Myers – Austin, TX: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” – Psalm 139:23-24 (New Living Translation)
Abby
San Antonio, TX
The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.
Proverbs 18:10, NLT
Huntsville, AL
He must become greater; I must become less.
John 3:30 (NIV)
Lea Ellen — Cypress, TX
James 3:17
But the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. (NLT)