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!
Bunnie, Hume “For God has not given us a spirit of fear or timidity, but of power, and love and discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Sorry double posted Feb 15th. It should be here.
Ephesians 4:17 & 18 (NIV)
So I tell you this and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardenting of their hearts.
Rhonda – Anderson, IN
Stephanie, Lititz, 1 John 4:4, You, dear children are from God and have overcome them, because the One Who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. NIV
Kate, Aurora CO
“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.” Lam 3:25
Deanna-Mississippi
Joshua 1:9 (New Living Translation)
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Casie, Holland MI
Eph. 4:29
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
KJV Matt. 6:8
Be not ye theerefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth wht things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Jennifer, Huntsville, Tx
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11 NIV
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, no any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38,39
Sorry for the delay…
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” ~Thessalonians 5:16 (NIV)
Hollie R – Granbury, TX
Robin from Morehead, Ky
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Col. 4:2 NIV
Catching up on the computer. I have them all in my spiral and head just haven’t been at the computer to post them:)
Pssalm 34:1 KJV
I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Marcy from Conroe, TX: “…gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:23 NKJ
“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me,or seen in me-put it into practive. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9.
Leslie, 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.
Wendy
Waterford, VT
Do not store 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
NIV
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s might hand, that he may life you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
I Peter 5:6-7
Barbara, Avon Park. “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Psalm 37:4 KJV
Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Lea Ann, Clinton, MS
1 Corin 16:13-14
Be on guard, stand firm in the faith. Be courageous, Be Strong and do everything in love.
(not sure if I posted this or not in march.)
Sheri, Atlanta, TX
Ephesians 3:21 NKJV
To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen
Kim from Springfield, IL
Psalm 101:3 (NIV)
I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me.
My people have committed two sins:
they have forsaken me, the spring of living water,
and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water. Jeremiah 2:13 (NIV)
Karen
Ponte Vedra, FL
Atlanta, GA
“I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” Matthew 18:18 (NIV, 1984)
Atlanta, GA
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Matthew 26.41 (NIV, 1984)
Andrea, Houston, Psalm 121:1 – 2
I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him and he will help you.
Ps 37:5 NIV
Diane C.
Vinton, La
THe LORD your God is with you, the mighty warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His Love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
Vee, Howe,TX “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” Psalm 23:5 KJV
“He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge. The fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.” Isaiah 33:6 NIV
I had given up on memorizing – it has been a dry season. But God has impressed on me how much I need this so I am getting up to date. Thanks to all of you for your verses and faithfulness.
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
Proverbs 4:18 ESV
Jodi Zagreb
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
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
James 1:19-20 NIV
Tina, Cynthiana, KY
Donna, Norman, OK
Psalm 46:10 NIV
“Be still and know that I am God.”
wildlyblessed, Crawford, TX: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Sara Pipkin
Denver, CO
1 Samuel 16:7 NIV
The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
jamie, houston tx “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Psalm 73:26 NIV
Holly from Alpharetta, GA
It has been such a dry season this year, and I have fallen behind. But I am up early and am going to log on verses to catch up! I need His word desperately.
I think I logged this for March 1 but can’t remember, so here it is again:
“March on my soul, be strong” Judges 5:21b
“I will exalt you, my God the King, I will praise your name for ever and ever.” Psalm 145:1 NIV
“The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught” Psalm 50:4 NIV
Teach me your ways, O Lord,
that I may live according to your truth!
Grant me purity of heart,
so that I may honor you.
Psalm 86:11 NLT
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:19 NIV
Wylie, Texas
Mark 11:24 (NLT)
I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.
Christine from Raleigh, NC
On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and shouted,
“If you are thirsty, come to me and drink! Have faith in me, and you will have life-giving water flowing from deep inside you, just as the Scriptures say.”
Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit, who would be given to everyone that had faith in Him.
~ John 7:37-39a [CEV]
Stacey, Houston, TX: Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2-3
Brook, Santa Monica
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.
2 Peter 1.3
my verse is Romans 14:8
Elizabeth Gainesville, GA
“Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment or sinners in the assembly of the righteous.”
Psalm 1:5 NIV
Caroline Auburn, AL “You, O Lord, Keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop: With my God I can scale a wall. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.” Psalm 18:28-32
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