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!
Cindy, Broken Arrow, OK
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Martha, Ft Myers
A heart at peace gives life to the body. Prov 14:30(NIV)
Bethany
Clyde
“Careless words stab like a sword, but wise words bring healing.” Proverbs 12:18, NLT
Betty, Clarksville TN
“Let us then approach the throne of Grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” NIV
Tisha, Nazareth, TX
You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
Dolly, Middletown, OH
Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
My soul followeth hard after thee; thy right hand upholdeth me. Psa. 63:7,8 KJV
Julie from Abilene
Galations 1:10 NIV
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Debbie, Clarksville TN
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” NKJ
Weyers Cave, VA
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
“DO NOT be anxious about anything, but in every situation, in prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Shanna, San Angelo, TX
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10, NIV
Daphne – Winnipeg, Canada
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 NIV
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24 NKJV
Amy Houston Tx
Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD;
his going out is sure as the dawn;
he will come to us as the showers,
as the spring rains that water the earth.
Hosea 6:3 ESV
Robyn ~ Dallas, Texas
Psalm 32:8 NIV
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
Stacey, Houston – James 1:2 NIV – “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,”
Connie, Bolingbrook, IL
Psalm 126:3 NIV
The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
Proverbs 20:7 NIV
The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.
Cindy, Meridian
Becky, San Antonio, TX
Psalm 62:1
“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.” (NIV)
Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.
Romans 12:1 NIV
Tammy, Merryville, La
Jeremiah 15:16 KJV
“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.”
Live out this God created identiy the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst.
Luke 6-35 (The Message)
Judy…Apple Valley, CA
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
John 10:10ESV
Kari, Winchester CA
Romans 12:1 NIV
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Psalm 33:21 (amplified)
For in Him does our heart rejoice, because we have trusted in His holy name.
Misty – Midland, TX
Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Niv
Angela
Garner, NC
The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession.
Deut. 7:6 NIV
Chesney, Knoxville. “We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in You. ” Psalm 33:20-22 (NIV)
Cindy ~ Fort Worth, TX
The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Exodus 33:14 NIV
Kristine in Edmond, OK; Isaiah 54:10 (NIV) “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Martha Pine Bluff (am late)
When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him,for they know his voice.
John 10:4 ESV
Carmen, Eau Claire, WI
Psalm 27:4 NIV
One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
Amy – Gallipolis, OH – “I am He. I am he who will sustain you, for I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isa 46:4 NIV
This was a wonderful verse from our BSF lesson this week!
Shannon, Parker, CO
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NIV
Martha, Ashdown, AR
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Peter 5:6-8 (NKJV)
Sherri, Lebanon, MO. “As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”
James 5:11 NIV
Melissa ~ Smithville MO
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
Cindy, Dallas, TX He will cover thee with His feathers and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Psal 91:4
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1
Rebecca, Chattanooga, TN
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. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV 2011
Bettie, Wendell,NC
EPHESIANS 4:1
As a prisoner for the Lord, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Pam, Austin, Proverbs 3:2, NIV.
For they (my commands that you keep in your heart) will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.
Karen Orem,Utah
“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.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Jennifer~Meridianville, AL
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm~100:5 NIV
Chonda, Fayetteville, AR, “…like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.” 1 Peter 3:6 NIV
Janice-Abbeville, AL
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8 (NKJV)
Brittney, Lexington KY
“But when he asks he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind!” (NIV)
Nanette – Decatur, TX
Judges 5:21b NIV
March on, my soul; be strong!
Terri Clark, Florence, AL – “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,” James 1:2 NIV
Amanda, Katy, TX
“and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 3:19 (ESV)
Traci
Vadnais Heights, MN.
“Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
You have made my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
Surely I have a delightful inheritance.”
Psalm 16:5-6 (NIV)
Carolyn, St. Peters, MO
When times are good, be happy;
but when times are bad, consider:
God has made the one as well as the other.
Ecclesiastes 7:14 NIV