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, Florida “Praise the Lord, O my soul, all my in most being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.” Psalm 103:1-4
April, Hume
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.
Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV
Rita Quinlan, Alva, Florida
Godliness accompanied with contentment is great and abundant gain.
Amplified Bible – 1 Timothy 6:6
Melanie, Greenbrier,TN
Habakkuk 3:19 (KJV) The LORD God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places.
Emily, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Hear my cry for mercy when I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands to your Most Holy Place.
-Psalm 28:2, NIV
Marie, Denver: Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV
Shelly Bliss, San Dimas, Ca. “Teach me how to live, Oh Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enimies are waiting for me. Psalm 27:11 NLT
Fenton, Ashburn. “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matt.7:11 NKJV
Isaiah 40:8 (NIV)
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of God stands forever.
“Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.” 2 Timothy 2:16 NIV
Dayla, Springfield, MO
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. Psalm 55:22 NIV
Janice, Arcanum, OH
Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Isaiah 55:1 NASB
Betsy in Birmingham, AL
Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God–soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.
Psalm 43:5
The Message
Karen Novinger, Deer Trail, CO
“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” John 15:8 NIV
Not by might, nor by power,
but by My Spirit, says the Lord.
Zech 4:7b
Sharoni, Houston. “Observe how Christ loved us….His love was not cautious but extravagant….
He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of Himself. Love like that.”
~Ephesians 5:2 The Message
Amber, Pearland
I know we’re not supposed to say much. But I got bad news today about my twins I’m carrying (20 weeks). The doctors are very worried. Please pray for my two babies, Eden and Noelle.
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. -Ephesians 3:20, NIV
Gwen Vicksburg, MS Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 KJV
Joy; Cairo, Ga.
“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Col. 3:17; NASB
Jenni, Spartanburg,SC. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”. James 4:8 NKJV
Cody, Houston
“Your adornment must not be merely external… but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.”
1 Peter 3:(most of)3-4
NAS
Cacey, Northville, MI
“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”
Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Karen H. from Sinclairville, N.Y.
Why are you downcast, o my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet
praise him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:5-6
NIV
kim and abby (9 yrs.),missouri
i had only heard about You before, but now i have seen You with my own eyes. Job 42;5 (NLT)
Ruth, Sanger Psalm 30:11-12 You turned my wailing into dancing you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent, O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.
Lizzy, Benbrook Texas
“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.”
Psalm 68:7-11 NIV
Kate – Ooltewah, TN
“Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.”
1 Peter 3:11
Melanie Toups
Orange, TX
“Let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.
–Jeremiah 9:24 NASB
Katie, New York, NY
7 When you, God, went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness,[a]
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:
Ps 68:7-11
NIV
Psalm 119:9-10, NLT
How can a young person stay pure?
By obeying your Word.
I have tried hard to find you –
Don’t let me wander from your commands.
Heather, Hot Springs, AR, Amplified, Proverbs 13:12
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.”
Amy aka whimzie, Florida:
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, every word a gift.
Ephesians 4:29 (Message)
Amanda Marco Island,FL
Psalm 51:10 ESV
Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me
Cara; Fridley MN
15b “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength”… 18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him! -Isaiah 30:15b&18(NIV)
Sarah Cookeville, TN
” As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes ove it and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his reighteousness to children’s children. to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The Lord has established his throne in the heaes, and his kingdom rules over all.” Psalm 103: 15-19 ESV
James 3:17 NIV But the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure;then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Rom 15:13
Sarah, Port Angeles,WA. Revelation 4:11 (ESV) Worthy are you , our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.
Valerie, Independence, KY: “You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:14-15 (NAS)
Michelle Eidson
Piedmont, OK
And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them.
Isaiah 42:9
NKJ
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2 NIV
Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
Jessica ~ Jacksonville, Florida
“…may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,”
Ephesians 3:18 NIV
LISA – IDAHO
“From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.”
John 1:16 (NIV)
Amy
Fullerton, CA
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day & night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous & successful.”
Joshua 1:8 NIV
Wendy- Ringgold, GA
NIV
2 Cor 5:21
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we migh become the righteousness of God.”
Jan
Hawkinsville, GA
Psalm 5:11 (NIV)
But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Monica and her daughter Faith, Toronto,Canada
Hate stirs up trouble, but love forgives all offenses.
Proverbs 10:12
GNT
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of HIs power toward us who believe. Ephesians 1:18-19 NASB