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!
Nicole
Duncan SC
1 John 1:7
If we walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin…
NIV
James 4:10 NIV
Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up.
Kathryn, Austin, TX
“He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters for a boundary between light and darkness.”
Job 26:10, NIV
Holly, Prairie City, Iowa. Sorry I’m late posting!
Psalm 31:19-20 NKJ
Oh, how great is Your goodness,
Which You have laid up for those who fear You,
Which You have prepared for those who trust in You
In the presence of the sons of men!
You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence
From the plots of man;
You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion
From the strife of tongues.
Sandy, Galveston
Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NIV
Debbie from Magee, MS
“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Psalm 90:12 (KJV)
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Hebrews 10:35-36
Carrie, Pueblo CO
In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.
Is 30:15 (NIV)
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Hebrews 10:35-36
my mom and I are doing the same one this time
Mary, Missouri (late) 🙁
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6 NIV)
Chesterfield, VA
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Finally, brothers, whatever is true,
whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable – if anything is
excellent or praiseworthy – think about
such things.
Angela, Germantown, TN
“Blessed is she that has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished”
Luke 1:45 NIV
Joan-Florida
March on, my soul; be strong!
Judges 5:21b (NIV)
Annaleise, Oklahoma City, OK Psalm 32:7
You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Georgine
Austin, TX
Linda in Gahanna, Ohio says;
March on, my soul; be strong! Judges 5:21
I’m late submitting this verse, but can’t give up now!
Lisa in Ponder, Texas
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 had already picked out Isaiah 55:10-11 for this month, but when I saw these verses Beth provided, I just couldn’t resist it’s references for 1. MARCH, 2. I’m waiting for a call from Dr. Herzenberg at SINAI Hospital in Baltimore to discuss surgery for my son Jake, 3. Just finished Session 5 on The INHERITANCE series this past Sunday in my Small Group and 4. the Siesta reference is just too much. Love it!!
NIV
Deuteronomy 10:17 “The LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.”
Rebecca mobile al
The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
Psalm 29:4 esv bible
Psalm 27:1
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Jennifer, Flowood, MS –
“does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, edures all things.” 1 Cor. 13:6-7 NASB
Holly Fishers, IN
Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them ddo not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives.
1 Peter 3:1 (NIV)
Kathy, Memphis, TN
I’m really late posting my verse and I took Beth’s short “March” verse to help catch up a little:
Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
Sow righteousness for yourselves,
reap unfailing love.
Break up the unplowed ground for yourselves,
for it is time to seek the LORD,
until he comes and showers deliverance on you.
Hosea 10:12 NET Bible
Gena, Rapid City
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 (NIV)
2 Cor 12:9
But He said to me,
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Rebekah, Groves, TX
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23 NIV
Meredith, Valdosta, GA
Philippians 3:8(NASB)
More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
waaay late…
Angela, Natchitoches, LA
Now, this is what the LORD almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.”
Haggai 1:5 NIV
Kristin-Tyler, TX
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)
Teresa, Odessa, Texas
“March on, my soul; be strong!” Judges 5:21b NIV
John 14:1 NIV
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
Gail Jones, Decatur, TX
Birmingham, AL
“Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my savior and my God.”
Psalm 42:11, NASB
Elaine, Bismarck, ND
Great is the LORD, and greatly to ber praised.
In the city of our God, His holy mountain.
Psalm 48:1 NASB
Robin, Mt. Carmel,TN
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
Kim, San Juan Capistrano, CA: “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret-it leads only to evil.” (NIV)
Barbara, CA
Ps 51:10-12 NIV
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me
Alana, Cape Town
The LORD guards the inexperienced. I was helpless, and He saved me. Return to your rest my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.
Ps.116:6-7
HSCB
Job 5:25 (Message) You will see your children grow up,your family lovely and lissome as orchard grass. You’ll arrive at your grave ripe with many good years, like sheaves of golden grain at harvest.
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 ESV
Valerie, Coweta, OK
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food.
Isa 55:2, NLT
Teri in Tampa…
Before a word is on my tongue, you know it completely, O Lord.
Psalm 139:4 NLT
Lise, Chesterfield, MO
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.
Hebrews 1:3
Jacki, Bettendorf, IA
“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.” Psalm 37:4, NLT
Leslie Kerlick
Hickory, NC
Psalms 23:5 KJV
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
from Houston: “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
Julie, Grimsby ON Canada
Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT)
“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.”
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.”
Romans 12:2 NLT Life Application Study Bible
Kristin, St. Louis, MO
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there maybe food in my house. “Test me i this,” declares the LORD almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
Malachi 3:10 NIV