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!
Becky Jo
Chesterfield MI
Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are His.
He changes times and seasons;
He sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
He reveals deep and hidden things;
He knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with Him.
Daniel 2:20-22 NIV
Melissa, Scarborough, ME: “Whoever knows and obeys my commandments is the person who loves me. Those who love me will have my Father’s love, and I too, will love them and show myself to them.” John 14:21 GW
I Corinthians 10:13 (NASV) “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what youa re able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.” WhooHoo!!!!
Nicole, Parker, CO
“Those who look to him are radiant,
their faces are never covered with shame.”
Psalm 34:5 NIV
Hanni, Warsaw:
The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
-Psalm 37:23-24 NLT
Terrie,Pensacola ,John 20:16-18 NIV
“Jesus said to her,”Mary”.
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic,”Rabboni”(which means Teacher).
Jesus said,”Do not hold on to me,for i have not yet returned to the Father.Go instead to my brothers and tell them,I am returning to my Father and your Father,to My God and your God”
Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
Devi
Geneva, Switzerland
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1 (ESV)
Sharron Kay, Possum Kingdom Lake, TX
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Tiffany, Dallas
Psalm 40:4 NIV
Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust
who does not look to the proud
to those who turn aside to false gods.
But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be stedfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. I Corinthians. 15:57,58 (ESV)
Cindy
Early
Luke24:47 NKJ and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Tammy, Bucyrus, “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him.” Isaiah 64:4 NKJV
Michelle from New Roads, Louisiana: “The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng” Psalm 68:11 NIV
Elizabeth, Charlottesville
God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this, that power belongeth unto God. Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy; for thou renders to every man according to his work.
Psalm 62:11-12, KJV
Sharon, Montgomery
“From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.” ~ Acts 17:26-27
Carrie, Lee’s Summit, Missouri
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 NIV
Christy
Beavercreek, Ohio
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.” – Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV)
Meg, Columbus, OH: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23 NIV
Tanya, Warren, PA
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30 NIV
Lord…please let it be so with me!
Victoria, Thomasville NC
I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
(Psalms 27:13-14 NRSV)
Janae – Riverside,PA –
Jeremiah 23:29(NIV) “Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”
The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 46:7
Cheryl
Coffeyville, KS
“When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly.” 1 Cor. 4:12b-13a NIV
Heather, Birmingham, AL
Romans 8:5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have set their minds on what the sinful nature desires but those who live according to the Spirit have SET THEIR MINDS on what the Spirit desires.
NIV
“But forget all that- it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19
Hebrews 12:2 (Contemporary English Version)
2We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew that later on he would be glad he did. Now he is seated at the right side [a] of God’s throne!
Liz Gladstone Or
Michelle, Houston, “Do not conform any longer 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 1984
Christina, Edgewood KY, Romans 8:18 (NIV)
I consider that our present sufferinga are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Edie
Mobile,AL
You will keep (her) in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because (she) trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3
NKJV
Kathy, Shreveport, La.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
NIV James 3:17
Barbara, North Tonawanda, NY- “My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2 (NIV)
Lauryn–Zionsville, Indiana–March on, my soul; be strong! Judges 5:21b NIV
Tracy L, Richlands, NC:
16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NIV
(regaining some of that confidence by falling on my knees this morning)
Kathy, Hendersonville.
“You, however, are controlled
not by the sinful nature
but by the Spirit,
if the Spirit of God lives in you.
And if anyone does not
have the Spirit of Christ,
he does not belong to Christ.” NIV
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.” I John 4:18,19
Julianne, Wildwood, MO
“Whovever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he (she) who rules his (her) spirit than he (she) who takes a city.”
Proverbs 16:33 ESV
Patty from Vicksburg, MS
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth. Keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing…Psalm 141:3-4a. NASB
Donnicia /Raleigh
James 5:16 (New International Version, ©2010)
16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
1Corinthians 4;1
Men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.
Lisa, Dalton
I delight greatly in the Lord; my heart rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me in garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10 NIV
Gina, San Antonio, TX
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” (James 1:2-3, NLT)
Tammy, Howells, NE
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered. I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!And when I wake up, you are still with me.
Psalm 139:17-18 (The Message)
Laura, Del Rio, TX
James 4:6-7 “But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, ‘God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” NASB
Betty
Vicksburg
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8
NIV
Shelia, Missouri
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.
anna, kansas city.
“see God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. the lord God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. with joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation” isaiah 12:2-3 nlt
Cathy, Houston. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:19 NIV.
Beverly
Midlothian, VA
I will proclaim the name of the Lord; how glorious is our God!
The Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are justice. A faithful God without iniquity; just and upright is He.
Deuteronomy 34:3,4 ESV
Continuing in Isaiah 40…
A voice says, “Cry out.”
And I said, “What shall I cry?”
“All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
Isaiah 40:6 NIV
Melana Cummings
Sheridan Wyoming
Kathy, Shattuck, OK
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.