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!
“Anything is possible for one who believes.”
Mark 9:23
Melody
Myrtle Beach, SC
Becky Kiser
Houston, TX
Matthew 17:20
(context: disciples couldn’t cast out demons from a boy and they asked Jesus why)
“He said to them, ‘Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.'”
Cheryl, Webster
The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.
This is my God, and I will praise him–
my father’s God, and I will exalt him!
Exodus 15:2 NLT
Jana, Quitaque, TX
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:6-8
Chris Floyd, Kokomo, IN
Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Jolynn, Rowlett, Tx
So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.
1 Peter 1:13
New Living Translation
Nicola. Calgary AB Canada
I had a shorter one picked and then God laid this one down like a red hot iron.
Romans 11:33-36 AMP
Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unfathomable (inscrutable, unsearchable) are His judgments (His decisions)! And how untraceable(mysterious, undiscoverable) are His ways (His methods, His paths)!For who has known the mind of the Lord and who has understood His thoughts, or who has ever been His counselor? Or who has first given God anything that he might be paid back or that he could claim a recompense?
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. (For all things originate with Him and come from Him; all things live through Him and all things centre in and tend to consumate and to end in Him) To Him be glory forever! Amen (so be it).
Ainslie, Oakland
Keep you lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have because God has said “Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you.” So we shall say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me”?
Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV
Teri S. -Gadsden, AL
See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. Isa. 48:10
Melissa, Chino, CA
In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry and do not give the devil a foothold.
Ephesians 4f:26-27
Marianne, Saegertown,PA
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians5:16 (NIV)
Karen, Battle Creek, Michigan
“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 commandments.”
Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV
Psalms 3:5 NIV
I lie down and sleep;I wake again, because the Lord
sustains me.
Siesta Stephanie STanford Ky
Huntsville
‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 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 41:9b-10 (NIV)
Alicia, Columbus, OH ~ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 NKJV
Kim, East Granby, CT: Let us not become wary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 5:9, NIV)
Judges 5:21b (NIV)
March on, my soul; be strong!
Karyn, Elberfeld, IN – You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north. Deut 2:3 (NASB)
Keli ~ Talihina, OK
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
Jennifer, Milford, OH
“Show me your ways, O Lord,teach me your paths; 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: 4-5 NIV
Typo in my verse and reference just posted! Should read:
Kim, East Granby, CT: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9, 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.”
Lamentations 3:23-24 (NIV)
Erin
Denison, TX
March 1,2011
Debbie,Smyrna,TN
The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14 TNIV
Cathi, Morristown TN
“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.”
~Ehp. 4:29~ (NIV)
Shanna, West Bloomfield, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Norma, Phoenix
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
NKJV
Shira, Knoxville. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. NIV
Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary,they will walk and not be faint.NIV(My Feb. 15th verse- we moved so I couldn’t log on)
Rebecca, Jacksonville, AL, NIV, “After consulting the people, Jehoshophat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”
2Chronicles 20:21
Lois,
Wausa, NE
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
James 1:2-3 NIV
Erin, Albion, IL
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
Heidi, Litchfield Park, AZ: Judges 5:21b NIV
“March on, my soul; be strong!”
Teresa, Benton, AR
2 Corinthians 4:18 “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” NIV
Psalm 147:11 NIV
“The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.”
Mary in Austin. 2 Peter 1:5-7 (NIV): 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
Dawn, Jacksonville FL
He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalm 121:3-4 NIV
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
1Peter 5:8,9 NIV
Laura – Morgantown, WV
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” -Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
Behold I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me. Is 49.16 NASB
Becky, Fairfax, VA:
March on, my soul; be strong.
Judges 5:12b NIV
Barbara, New Bern, NC
Judges 5.21b NIV
March on, my soul; be strong!
Sheila, Beckley, WV It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. Psalm 118:8 NKJV
Sue M
Grand Rapids, MI
My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Psalm 62:7 NIV
Katherine Atlanta:
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. Ps 73:23 NIV
Bonnie, Alexandria, LA “Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:25, 26 NASB
Tammy, Dallas
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”
John 14:21 NIV
melissa from midland,mi
“i lift up my eyes to the hills–
where does my help come from?
my help comes from the lord,
the maker of heaven and earth”
psalm 121:1,2 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.
Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
Martha, Clearwater,FL
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37: 4 NASB
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” — 2 Corinthians 4:7-9