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!
Casey
Montgomery, AL
and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit with all prayer and supplication.
Eph. 6:17-18 – ESV
Lee in Western Michigan
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
Jennifer – Lansing, MI
“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 N.L.T
Revelation 21:4-5
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”
Shelly, Orange, “But I’ll take the hand of those who don’t know the way, who can’t see where they’re going. I’ll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. I’ll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don’t fall into the ditch. These are the things I’ll be doing for them – sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute.” Isaiah 42:16 Message
Elisabeth
Modesto, CA
“Jesus said, “The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me,
finishing the work he started.” John 4:34 MSG
[it fulfills Jesus to fulfill US! Dang. Anyone else need to camp out there for a bit?]
“You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God has set you above your companions by annointing you with the oil of joy.” Hebrews 1:9 NIV
Leslie, Decatur, TX
Make your attitude that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for his own advantage. Philippians 2:5-6 HCSB
I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” Psalm 16:2 NIV
Nina, Urbana, IL
Melissa, Vicksburg, MS. “Do not conform 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
Beverly
Bayou Vista, TX
In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
Psalm 5 : 3
Linsey, Huntington Beach,CA
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Ephesians 4:2 NLT
Jacqueline
Akron, OH
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12 NIV
Count it all joy my brethren when you encounter various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Jas 1:1-2
Kristin, Pottsboro, TX:
God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.
1 Peter 4:10 NLT
Wendy, Peterborough, ON Canada
“Walk in obedience to all that 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.”
Dueteronomy 5:33 NIV
Ashley, Huddleston, VA: “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.” Deuteronomy 6:20 NIV
Christy, Pennsylvania. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. James 1:20 New Living Translation.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” ~ Jeremiah 1:5 NIV
Susan, Sydney,”Though you have made me see troubles,many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.”
Psalm 71:20 (NIV)
They will see the Glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way, say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong! Do not fear! Your God WILL come!!” He will come with vengenance, with divine retribution, He WILL COME TO SAVE YOU!!! Then, will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer and the mute tongue shout for joy!!!
Isaiah 35:2b-6a NIV
Joan – Coppell, TX – “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Stephanie Spitaletto
Sachse, TX
“Do everything readily and cheerfully–no bickering, no second-guessing allowed.” Phil 2:14 The Message
Cathy from Loxahatchee, Florida
Psalm 27:7-8 NLT
Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me!
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord I am coming.”
Heb. 4:12-NAS
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Jenny–Des Moines, Iowa
Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like steams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
Psalm 126:4-6 NIV
Lovest thou Me? John 21:17
Connie
Austin TX
Isaiah 30:21 (Amplified Bible)
21And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left.
but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:24-25
Louisville, Ky
Marilyn, Bradenton, FL
Deu 4:29 (NIV) “But if from there you seek the LORD your God, then you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and all your soul.”
Ericka from Athens, GA:
Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me? Psalm 56:3-4 (NKJV)
Joy, Fayette, AL
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:28-29
Lesley, Wetumpka: “We demolish arguements and every pretention that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (NIV)
Leanne, Abbotsford BC, Canada
Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone.
2 Peter 1:7 NLT
Heatherly
Massachusetts
Philippians 2:5-7 (NIV)
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.”
{Planning on doing vs. 8-11 in upcoming SSMT, Lord willing}
Donna
Clarksville, TN
People, trust God all the time. Tell him all your problems, because God is our protection. Selah
Psalm 62:8
NCV
Donna Jacksonville, Texas
Jeremiah 31:3 NIV
I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have drawn you with loving-kindness
From Hazlehurst: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2nd Chronicles 7:14 KJV
Lindsay, Centerton, AR, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6-7
Jenny – San Antonio, TX
“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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved.
Ephesians 2:4-5 NIV
Ellen M.
Camden, DE
Stephanie, Amarillo, TX: And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (ESV)
Catrina, Plano, TX
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor” James 4:10 NLT
James 1:5 NIV
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.
Marilyn, Pleasant Hope, MO
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. Micah 6:8 NKJV
Jennifer, Lexington, SC
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)
Tammy, Salem, VA
From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.
John 1:16
Your post made me cry…and I have absolutely no idea why, other than my heart is tendered and raw right now.
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 14:17 ESV
Holly
Monument, CO
Cathy, Conroe, TX.
“As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” James 5:11 (NIV)
Julianna Price (Istanbul, Turkey) For the Lord God is a sun and a shield, the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Psalm 84:11 (NIV)