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!
Lisa, Mesa, -Luke 14:34-35 (NIV)
Salt is good, but if it loses it’s saltiness, how can it be made dalty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.
Leslie, Beijing: “Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins.” NIV
“And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove all mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13:2 ESV
Kristi & Jr. Siesta Rebekah
Charlotte, NC
Sherry in Marietta GA
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
PRAISE: after one year of unemployment ..HUBBY is working!!!
Karen, Vancleave, MS
Psalms 17:19-20
“The Lord has been my strength; He has led me to freedom. He saved me because He loves me.”
NAB (Catholic Edition)
Ann, Murrells Inlet
March on, my soul; be strong!
Judges 5:21b NIV
Sue R from Magalia, CA
Psalm 16: 5-6 NLT
5-Lord, you alone are my inheiritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine
6-The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
What a wonderful inheiritance!
Evansville, IN
“The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. Deep in my heart I say, ‘The Lord is all I need; I can depend on him!'” Lamentations 3:23-24 CEV
Jennifer, Cleveland March on, my soul; be strong!
Judges 5:21b (NIV)
Susie, North Carolina
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 NIV
Gaye, Russellville
“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.”
John 16:33
Melanie, Auburndale
Psalm 119:36-37 NIV
Turn my heart toward your statues and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.
Judy, Marietta Ga
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Rom 6:6-7 NIV
Sandi
Williams Bay, Wisconsin
Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV
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.”
Andrea, Blytheville Ar.
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing assunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)
Susan, Hillsboro,KS “Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.” NIV
Michelle, Calgary (Airdrie) Alberta Canada
2 Corinthians 2:17
Unlike so many we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God. NIV
Cathy
Umatilla, FL
March on, my soul; be strong!
Judges 5:21b (NIV)
Lisa, Chattanooga-“Teach me your way, O Lord; I will walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” Psalm 86:11 NAS
Vanessa, Rio Rancho NM
Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints. Philemon 1:7 NIV
“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.” Psalm 59:16 NIV
Reba, Chattanooga; “Now Israel, what does the Lord require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 10:12 NASB
Rachelle Ankeny, Iowa
“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.” Isaiah 41:13 NIV
shelley, creswell
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”
Heb 4:15 NIV
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.
Galations 5:23 NLT
Valerie, Scott City
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:29-30, KJV
Nancy in Sebring FL Romans 5:3-5 (NIV) Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Chrissy
Lawrence, KS
“Set your mind, on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2 (ESV)
Julie, Broken Arrow, OK
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
1 Cor. 14:33 (NIV)
Erin, Albertville, AL “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 54:17 NIV
Carolee, Bothell…”March on, my soul; be strong!” Judges 5:21b, NIV
Kathy, Houston
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
1John1:8-10, NJKV
Gal. 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. NIV
Suzanne, Decatur, Texas
“My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:26 NIV
God has chosen to make know among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Col 1:27 NIV
Kirstin – Columbus, Oh
Sarah, Isle, MN
Do not merely listen to the word,
and so deceive yourselves.
Do what it says.
James 1:22 (NIV)
Kristin
Clearwater, FL
“You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therfore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”
Hebrews 1:9 NIV
Karla, Cedarburg, WI
March on, my soul: be strong! Judges 5:21b NIV
Jaime, Chesapeake, Va
“Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:4, NIV
Erika, San Antonio, TX:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
(Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV)
Cary Forney, TX
Joshua 1:9 NLT
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
“March on, my soul; be strong.” 🙂
-Judges5:21b (NIV)
Sarah, Chocowinity, NC, John 15:5 HCSB
“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.”
Jennifer Stone, Point Judith, RI
“Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.”
Proverbs 10:19 NLT
Elise Newark
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day the pour forth speech; night after nigh they display knowledge.
Psalm 19:1-2 NIV
Kim; Anchorage, Alaska; Proverbs 2:6-7
For the Lord gives wisdom,and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He stores up effective counsel for the upright, and is like a shield for those who live with integrity…
Dawn, Zionsville
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.
2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV
Judy from Urbana
Psalm 39:1 NKJ
I will guard my ways lest I sin with my tongue.
Shirleen, Greenville, SC…..But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7
“Go ahead, march on.”
2 Samuel 15:22 (NIV)
Kelly in Birmingham, AL