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!
Kati, Ocracoke Island, NC
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
Hebrews 12:1-2(a), NIV
Cindy
Seattle
(16) Always be joyful.
(17) Never stop praying.
(18) Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
Gwen, Fairmont, WV
“If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me” Jeremiah 29:13
Carol ~ Webb City, MO
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
Psalms 5:3 (NIV)
Sherie
Spring, TX
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.
Psalm 68:19 NIV
Ceffie Bridgeport WV Psalm 33:20 NLT we put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield.
Lindsey
Hamshire, TX
You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
Vanessa Lipp, Bozeman, MT
“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.” Psalm 143:8 NLT
“March on, my soul; be strong!”
~Judges 5:21b NIV
Cheryl ~ Concord, NC
The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD
Proverbs 20:27a English Standard Version
Maryann, Chandler, Arizona
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1, NIV
Taylor, Dallas, TX: “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)
Kathleen-Albuquerque, NM
“Teach me O’ Lord to follow your commands, then I will keep them to the end.”
Ps. 119:33 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Kathy
Lynden, Wa
Caryn, Fort Worth, TX
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)
Anita, Big River, SK
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm
all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:10-12 NIV
Shane, Russellville,
This is what the Lord Almighty says: Administer true justice, show mercy and compassion to one another. Zechariah 7:9 NIV
Chris in Manila, Philippines
Verse for March 1:
2 Peter 1:3
“seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”
Carroll, Waco “O give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 136:26 (NRSV)
Isaiah 61:1-4 (NIV)
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
Lindsey – San Francisco, CA
God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. 1 John 4:9 (NLT)
James 4:7-8a [NIV]
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.
———————————————————
I just happened to watch Pastor Gregg’s webcast this past Sunday, and I just loved his newly learned sign language skills for “I Surrender All” !
I am not sure if any of Y’all have been watching the national newscasts about Wisconsin recently, but we SURE need to keep Satan away from here ! We already have enough people who have been laid off from their long-term jobs around here, so we definitely do NOT need any more of its kind. However, our new governor seems to be working “against us”. If any of Y’all have a few extra minutes during your prayer time, would you please pray for us in Wisconsin?
I think that the Lord gave me the “message” during Pastor Gregg’s [Matte] webcast that “surrendering all things to HIM” is the best idea for me right now . . . Thus, James 4:7-8a came to me to use for this SSMT Memory Verse…. Thank You, Lord Jesus !
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer Olmstead
Janesville, Wisconsin
Brenda
La Palma, Ca.
“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you“ Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV)
Kelsie~ Corpus Christi, TX
10 Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be bright as noon. 11 The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well- watered garden, like an ever- flowing spring.- Isaiah 58: 10-11 NLT
Ann – Austin,TX
1 LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.
2 Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what are mere mortals that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?[c]
5 You have made them[d] a little lower than the heavenly beings[e]
and crowned them[f] with glory and honor.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their[g] feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild,
8 the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
9 LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Psalm 8 – Today’s NIV
Millerstown, PA
Colossians 3:12-13
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.
Melissa, Castle Rock CO
March on, my soul; be strong!
Judges 5:21b NIV
Jennifer, Mansfield, TX
“Yet I am confident that I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.”
Psalm 27:13 (NLT)
Erin, Denver
Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.
James 5:13 (NIV)
I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. Job 42:2 NIV
OOOPS! Natalie, Houston 🙂
Jen, Knoxville, TN
May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NIV)
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.
1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV
Leslie
Clinton, UT
Bird – Cypress, TX
Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.” John 1:50
(NASB)
Melissa, Spring
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.
-Luke 6:38 (NRSV)
Kelli, Anaheim
Joshua 1:9
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.”
Tiffani. Walla Walla.
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalms 103:12 NIV
Kokomo, IN
“March on, my soul; be strong.”
Judges 5:21b (NIV)
Emily, Elk Grove, CA
“Everything is permissible for me” — but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me” — but I will not be mastered by anything.
1 Corinthians 6:12 (NIV)
Shannon, Tuscaloosa
“A glorious throne on high from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.” Jer 17:12 NASB
Deanna, Safford AZ
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 62:5,6 (NIV)
Tami, Arcadia, CA :
“And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 ASV
Hamburg, AR
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen and settle you.”
1 Peter 5:10
Amplified Bible
Becky
Brandon, MS
“Everything is permissible for me”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”–but I will not be mastered by anything.
1Corinthians 6:12 NIV
Sue, VA
But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head.
Psalm 3:3 Holman
Donna, Albuquerque: “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Phillipians 2:4-5 NIV
Ashley, Atlanta, GA
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.”
Psalm 143:8 NIV
Erin
Kingwood, TX
“March on, my soul; be strong!” Judges 5:21 NIV
Shalene, Cloves, CA Psalm 28:6 NKJV “Blessed be the LORD because He has heard the voice of my supplications.”
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.
Romans 15:13 NIV
Amanda
Katy, TX
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.
Romans 15:13 NIV