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!
Merrie Katy, Tx
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. NIV
Debbie, Forest City, NC
And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don’t worry about these things saying, “What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?” These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
Matthew 6: 30-32 (NLT)
Christy
Fayetteville, AR
1 John 5:14-15
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask- we know that we have what we asked of him.”
NIV
Leanne – San Antonio, TX
Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Psalm 25:5 – New Living
Wendy, Elm City, NC Colossians 2:9-10 (NIV)
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
jenn, cumming, psalm 27:4 (CEV):
I ask only one thing, LORD:
Let me live in your house every day of my life to see how wonderful you are and to pray in your temple.
Pat, Green Bank, WV
“…be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger,
for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.”
James 1.19-20. Holman Christian Standard Bible. pp.1076.
Helen, Dunmore, WV
“Submit yourselves then, to God, Resist the devil and he
will flee from you.”
James 4:7. NIV.
I don’t know where mine will pop in, but let me say, thank you to the other siestas around me today, I really need you today, just to read your verses.
Marlies, The Netherlands .”for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.” Prov 3:26 NLT
Dianne
Richland, MS
John 16:33 NIV
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.
Psalm 30:11 (NIV)
Jen in Dublin VA
Shonda – Aurora, SD
“that I may know Him and the power of His reurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being confrmed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
Philippians 3:10-11 NASB
Hide Your face from my sins and cover my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Don’t cast me away from Your presence. Don’t take Your Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Ps 51:9-12
Jan, Loveland, CO
Cast your cares on the LORD
and He will sustain you;
He will never let the righteous fall. PS.55:22 NIV
Becky
Choctaw, OK
“And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM’; and He said, Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.”
Exodus 3:14
Jill from Jacksonville, Fla says,
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18
“the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:” Romans 3:22 ESV
(doing this as a third verse out of six to ultimately have a scripture passage on the good news!)
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me: Your love, O Lord, endures forever.
Psalms 138:8 NIV
sarah birmingham, Lambertville, MI
Let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith, because we have been made free from a guilty conscience, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:22 NCV
Kris, Carmel, IN; “I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on Him. I have put my hope in His word.”
Psalm 130:5 (NLT)
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the revewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Vickie, Baytown, TX
When I remember you upon my bed and meditate on You in the night watches. For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings will I rejoice. Psalm 63: 6-7
Amplified Version
Lin, Troy:
3 With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.
4 In that day you will say:
“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done,
and proclaim that his name is exalted. NIV(84)
The first two verses were so good I decided to memorize the 6 verse chapter 🙂
Ginny, Ooltewah, TN:
He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; He gently leads those that have young.
Isaiah 40:11 NIV
Kim Thatcher, Az So we say with confidence,”The Lord is my helper,I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Heb 13:16 (NIV)
Camille, Keller, TX:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. Philippians 4:4-5 (NIV)
Ashley DeLen, Alma Ks
Isaiah 43:18-19
“Forget the former things; do no 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 wastelands.”
Twila- Fayetteville – Roman 6:6 NIV
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin
Karen, Knoxville, TN
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22
Jesus answered, “I am the way,
the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6 NIV
Kelly
Huntsville, AL
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
Cathy, Mountain Grove, MO “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up, according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
Ephesians 4:29
we are memorizing scripture in my church …here is my verse: Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted & built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with Thankfulness! Col. 2:6-7 If we are rooted (dug deep & abiding in His Word) we cannot be shaken!! Thank you Jesus cindy
Maggie
Greenville, SC
Psalms 31:5
“Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.”
Sandi H., Holt, MO: “guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:5 (NIV)
Cindy, Madrid, Spain
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5 NIV
Debi, Rock Hill, SC, Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Amber, Kent
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16
Jennifer, Pflugerville, TX All of this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Cor. 5:18
Julie
Jacksonville, FL
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
Psalm 5:3 (NIV)
Marion, Royse City
Psalm 18:1-2 (NIV 1984)
1 I love you, O LORD, my strength.
2 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[a] of my salvation,
my stronghold.
Kathy, Dayton, Nevada
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; Romans 12:6 [NIV]
“How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!” Proverbs 16:16 NIV
Stephanie, Fort Wayne, IN. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:9 (NIV)
Amber, Issaquah, Washington
They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.
Psalm 112:7-8 NLT
Kendra, Middle East
‘March on, my soul, be strong!’
Judges 5:21b NIV
Ranai, Summerville, South Carolina. “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” (MSG)
Jeanie
Sparta, TN
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Cindi, Dallas, TX
“Those who belong to Christ have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.” Gal.5:24 NIV
Clyde MO
Ex. 14:14 The New Catholic Study Bible
The LORD will fight for you, and all you have to do is keep still.
Deb in Bremen,IN
He sees that I am given pleasant brooks and meadows as my share. What a wonderful inheritance.
psalms 6:6 The Living Bible