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!
Jennifer; Houston: I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth. 3 John 1:4
Kathie. Satsuma. Proverbs 10:9 NASB He who walks in integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will be found out.
Danielle, Lansing, MI:
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Col 3:12 (NIV)
First name, city, verse, translation!
Lisa, Baton Rouge – Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 1 Peter 2:11 (NIV)
Marsha – Knoxville
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NKJV
I Peter 5:6-7 NIV
“Humble yourselves therefore under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
I chose this verse for March 1st back in January. Little did I know how timely it would be….Oh, but HE did!
Isaiah 50: 4,5 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.” Pam in San Diego
Marilyn, Greenwood, MS
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 (HCSB)
Cleveland, Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 1 Corinthians 9:24 NASB
Bobbi, Aberdeen SD
There’s nothing left of me-a withered weed, swept clean from the path. Yet You, God, are sovereign still, always and ever sovereign. Pslams 102:11-12(message translation)
Jennifer, Ocala, Fl
Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:4 (NKJV)
Kristie, White Lake: ‘Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.’ Matthew 7:7 NIV
Karen ~ Laconia, NH
“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:6 NKJV
I’m keeping my eyes on Jesus,Siestas!
Pamela, Lexington SC “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”Psalm 90:14 NIV
Jessie,Seabrook
For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. Hebrews 2:18 NASB
LaShay from Saltillo, MS – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
Tangila, Pearland TX- “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10 (NKJV)
Michelle Sylvan Springs, AL
NIV 2 Timothy 1:9
He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” — Psalm 91:2 NIV
oops… Lexington, KY
Amy; Tacoma, WA
“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.”
Duet. 32:4, NIV
Beth, Morristown “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
Anne, Hot Springs, AR:
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” – 1 Corinthians 13:6-8 (NIV)
Shonda
Tacoma, WA
Isaiah 32:17 NIV
“The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.”
Carla, Lake Park, Iowa,
NIV
1 Peter 4:8
Above all, keep fervant in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
Muscle Shoals, AL
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 1 John 4:16
Lauren: Boston, MA
Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)
“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you.”
Vicki, Surprise, AZ
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 4:10 NIV
Kim…..Monroe, NC
Isaiah. 58:12. NKJV. Standing in line in Disney World! 🙂
Those from among you shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, the Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.
Joyce, Big River, Saskatchewan, Canada
But Thou, O Lord, art a shield about me. My glory and the lifter of my head.
Psalm 3:3 NASB
Bonnie, Selah, But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all suppassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Cor. 4:7 (NIV)
Alicia, OKC
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
1 Peter 5:6 NIV
So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. Romans 14:13 NLT
Ashley
Queen City, TX
Cara McKaskle-Conway, Arkansas
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them–yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10, NIV
Susan, Barrie,ON, Canada
“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? Psalm 27:1 NIV
Barbara, North Olmsted
‘Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.’ Phil 4:8-9 NASB
I do not know what I would have done without these verses the last 3 week I am at my breaking point Waiting on medical reports and still waiting and will know anything until next Monday (3-8) I need all the prayers you can send up for me I do not know how I am going to get thur the days until Monday Please Please pray for me. God is my only refuge.
Lori, Atlanta, Georgia
“They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.” Acts 2:42 (The Message)
Runnells, IA NASV
Ps. 57:2 I will cry to God Most High,
To God who accomplishes all things for me.
Oops, that was Rochelle, from Louisville & the NIV translation!
Cara, Highlands Ranch: Luke 9:23, Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” NIV
Kathy W, Mansfield, TX
For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 2 Cor. 4:11 ESV
I need to be reminded daily (sometimes hourly) to die to self!
Lisa in Marion, IN
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Eph. 6:14-15(NIV)
Pam- Oregon
Romans 14:12&13 NIV
” So then, each of us will give and account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.”
Sue – Troy, MI
“Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
Psalm 30:5 (NIV)
Jeanette, Tualatin, Or John15:5
I am the vine and 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.
Deanne, Laguna Hills, CA 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
Cynthia
Greenwood,AR
Be strong and courageous and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the temple of the LORD is finished correctly.
1 Chronicles 28:20
NLT
Nancy Tucson, AZ
“He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” John 10:3b-4 NIV
Donna, Raleigh. 1 Corinthians 10:23 (NLT) You say, “I am allowed to do anything” but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything” but not everything is beneficial.
This is also my new Weight Watchers theme verse!!
Kelly, Lilburn, GA –
He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3 (NIV)