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!
(My grandpa died, so this is my verse for March 1st – late.)
Alyssa Wilson, Ft. Worth
Psalm 27:1 NIV – 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?
I have recently experienced God revealing Himself to me through His Word in a new and mighty way. Feb 15 I went for an ultra sound to see if Im having a boy or girl and we were so excited to find out we are having our second son, due July. Later that night, 45 minutes before some of our youth group kids were coming over for Bible study, we got a call from the dr. I had a severe case of placenta previa. I was immediately put on restrictions and was overwhelmed with a bucket of emotions- fear, worry, grief…I cried out to God that night like never before and my mind began to flood with scriptures to look up- Jer. 1:5a, Jer. 29:11, etc. I went
Bed after crying in His Word and woke up with His mighty sense of
peace! It was breath taking and indescribable! 9 days later I had another ultra sound that showed the placenta had already moved up and was just a low-lying previa, now. Its been more than 3 weeks and my restrictions are lifted. God answered me through His Word
that Tuesday night and I had a new intimacy with Him. God is
good!
Joshua 1:8
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Tracy
Fort Mill, SC
Col. 3:23
“whatever you do, do it heartily as to the lord and not to men” Amen!!
Karen in Auburn, AL
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.
Psalm 119:133 NIV
Lincoln, AR
Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee.
Psalm 119:11
Janet, Norman, OK
Matthew 24:14 NIV
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations and then the end will come.
John 17:17 NIV
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
Teresa
Spanaway, WA
Sally, Grants, NM Hebrews 1:3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, ESV
Cindy, Grapevine, 1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” NIV
Tracy Mechanicsville, VA
Psalm 3:3
But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Shauna, Ashland, KY: “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8 NRSV
Ellen, South LYon, MI “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will gladly boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 esv
Sherri, Mechanicsville, VA – They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Isaiah 61:4 NIV
New child, have no idea if I posted already…….
Kelly, Clarksville, TN
Psl 103:4,5 NIV
Who Redeems your life from the pit
Who Crowns you with love and compassion
Who Satisfies your desires with good things
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?” -Psalm 27:1 NKJV
Lea Ann
Clinton, MS
But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1 Timothy 1:5 (NISB)
Greenacres, FL
I being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 NKJV
Bethany, Pittsburgh, PA:
“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)
“Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his giong out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.”
Hosea 6:3 NIV
Genie C. from OKC
Diane, Rockford.
Psalm 119:133NIV Direct my foot steps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.
Josie, Tucson
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2 (NIV)
Kamilah, Houston But you be watchful in all thingsm endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry II. Timothy 4:5 (NKJV)
Denise, San Jose, CA
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill fitting on you. Keep company with me, and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 The Message.
Monica, Cashiers – “If you are not firm in the faith, you are not firm at all.” (Isaiah 7:9)
Emily, Washington, DC
“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” -Psalm 27:13-14, NIV
(Sorry for posting this late…I had an issue with posting it last week!)
Paula, Olive Branch: “Exercise daily in God – no spiritual flabbiness, please!” (I Tim 4:7b The Message)
Bernice – Lemont, IL
“My feet have closely followed his steps;
I have kept to his way without turning aside.”
Job 23:11-NIV
Heidi, Round Rock, TX
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Matthew 6:34 Message
Jessica, Louisville
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11, ESV
Kathy Cupit
Hazlehurst, MS
Galatians 5:1 (KJV)
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance.”
Luke 5:31-32 ESV
Evangeline, Loveland
“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
Kelly Jo
Albany Ky
Serena Ft.Wayne, IN
Sorry so late!! Had to get it in before the 15th verse.
But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. Psalm 71:14 NIV
Sorry I’m so late! I’ve had it in my spiral the whole time, just keep forgetting to type it in…
Dawn in Menomonee Falls, WI
“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 42:5-6a NIV
“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Psalm 4:8 NIV
Robin Moslander
Aberdeen, SD
Chrissy from Tampa, FL: Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Isaiah 58:10-11 NLT
After a long hiatus, and I know this is late for March 1st but, I haven’t been able to post. So incredibly be-lated for March 1st, here it is:
Maggie, Tapawera, New Zealand
James 1:27
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” ESV
Melissa, Atlanta
{In the same way,} the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
Romans 8:38, NIV
However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Cor. 2:9
Beth, Summerville, SC
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with al your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
*all
Karen Ocean Springs verse 6 March 15 Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O man what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” NKJ
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Cor. 9:8 NIV
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)
“For I know the plans I have for you plans for a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
My VERY LATE March 1st verse . . .it was our 14th wedding anniversary. Praise God!
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV
Norwood, “Create in me a pure heart O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 NIV
II Timothy 1: 7
For God hath not give us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of sound mind. KJV
Karen-Woodstock,Ga.
Finally, Brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.
Philippians 4:8 (NIV 1984)
Susan, Barrie, ON, Canada
“Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever in pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things”. NIV 2011