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!
Barbara, Knoxville
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Phillippians 2:3 NIV
For his anger endureth but a moment;in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalms 30:5 kjv
Hanni, St. Paul, MN
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
Psalm 91:11-12
Carisa, Hillsboro, KS:
Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her toungue is the law of kindness.
Proverbs 31:25-26
Diane, Missoula, MT
“Be joyful always; pray continually’ give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess. 5:16-18 NIV
Kim Safina
Cayucos, California
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
James 1:2-3 NIV
Ψονσιδερ ιτ πθρε ξου, μυ βροτηερσ, ςηενεωερ υοθ φαψε τρθαλσ οφ μανυ κινδσ, βεψαθσε υοθ κνος τηατ τηε τεστινγ οφ υοθρ φαιτ δεωελοπσ πςεαςψςεΝΧς. Ξαμεσ 1΄2-3
❤Cassie, Fulshear: “Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time—remember, you’ve been raised from the dead!—into God’s way of doing things. Sin can’t tell you how to live. After all, you’re not living under that old tyranny any longer. You’re living in the freedom of God.” Romans 6:13b-14 (The Message)
Sally, Crystal Springs, Ms. (NLT)
Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
“They fully intend to topple him from his lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. Selah.
Psalm 62:4
NASV
Tracey from Shawnee, Kansas
Daniel 2: 22-23 (NIV)
He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.
Alicia, Kitchener, ON: “But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1:16, NLT
Allison, Kalamazoo
“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.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)
Denise, Davis, IL-“The Name of the Lord is a strong tower. the righteous run into it and they are saved.-Proverbs 18:10-NASB
Tonya, Searcy,AR
“We have freedom now, because Christ made us free. So stand strong. Do not change and go back…”
Galatians 5:1 NCV
Donise, Longmont, CO And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24 NIV, daughter Sarah, So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God and at the right time He will lift you up in honor. 1 Peter 5:6 NLT
Houston, TX
Matthew 6:1
Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. (NIV)
Alison, Haubstadt, Indiana
“March on, my soul; be strong!” Judges 5:21b NIV
Keeping it short this week too. 🙂
Melissa, Round Rock, Tx
(Continuing through the Proverbs 31 woman)
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
Proverbs 31:13 NIV
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
“I can do ALL things through HIM who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13
Jen L, Roanoke VA
Turkesshia, Greensboro
I was led to read Psalm 23 this morning:
Psalm 23:1 “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” NIV
Jolinda, Kearney
Psalm 112:1-2 (NIV)
1 Praise the LORD.
Blessed are those who fear the LORD,
who find great delight in his commands.
2 Their children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Cindy in Midland, TX
They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings–and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers. Rev. 17:14 NIV
Michelle Houston
Philippians 1:9,10
And this is my prayer that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ” NIV
Linda White Salmon, WA
Isaiah 40:23 NASB
He it is who reduces rulers to nothing
Who makes the judges of the earth meaningless
Katelyn, Tulsa
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV
Delaney, Allen TX
I didn’t get it memorized like I wanted so I am choosing it again for March 1st!
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2 NIV
Eph 3:20-21 NIV
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think,according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Melissa, Smithfield. Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV
Lori, Parma, OH
Here’s my verse! 3/1/11
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.— Psalm 103:12 (NIV)
Kellie – Mineola, TX
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, and what is unseen is eternal. ~2 Corinthians 4:18, NIV ’84
Ann, Prior Lake, MN
“Ah, Sovereign LORD, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You.” Jeremiah 32:17 NIV
Joy, Alpharetta. “I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.” Romans7:22-23,The Message
Robyn in San Antonio:
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
Colossians 3:17 NASB
Alisa, Chattanooga, TN Jer 29:13-14 NIV You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will found by you.
Ephesians 18-19a I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Karlys, La Place, LA
does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered.
1 Corinthians 13:5
Dorothea, Rockwall, TX “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV
Lisa S. Bartlett, TN “So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.” Deut. 5: 32-33 NIV
Isaiah 61:4 NIV- “They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
Laura, Clay Center, Kansas
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.”
Megan Joy, Calgary AB, Canada -Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
AK, Lexington, KY
Hebrews 11:1,6 NLT
“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen;
It gives us assurance about things we cannot see.
And it is impossible to please God without faith.
Anyone who wants to come to him must believe
that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promises.
Heb. 10:23 NLT
Debbie ~ Highland, MI
Elaine Kiley, Marietta,Ga
1 Thes. 5:16-18 ~”Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” NLT
Jackie, Versailles, KY
“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.”
Ezekiel 11:19-20 NIV
Diane – Roswell, GA
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
Pamela Sue, Palm Bay, Florida 🙂
“Oh what joy for those
whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight.”
Psalm 32:1 New Living Translation
Angela, Cleveland, TN
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
Nicole – Henderson, NE Ephesians 3:20-21
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever! Amen.” (NIV)