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!
Laura, Houston, TX
“O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and Your glory.”
Psalm 63:1-2 (NIV)
Linda, Johnstown, PA
1 Corinthians 2:12 (NIV)
What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
Thanks Beth … that’s just what I needed to hear today!
Betsy – Antwerp, Ohio
“March on, my soul; be strong!” Judges 5:21b (NIV)
Paula: Mesquite, TX: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Shandra – Dallas, TX
“But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage! I AM! Stop being afraid!”
Matt 14:27 – Amplified Bible
Jana, Port Byron, IL
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NKJ
Alexis R
Atlanta, GA
Luke 17:5 (NIV)
The apostles said to the LORD, “Increase our faith!”
As for you, brothers/sisters, never tire of doing what is right. 2 Thessalonians 3:13
Bonnie, Camas Valley, OR, Phillipians 4:8 NKJV
Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.
Rebecca, Birmingham, AL
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 where ever you go.
Joshua 1:19 NIV
Sherry, Hillsboro, OR
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:34 NIV
Bev
Mpls, MN
I love your sanctuary, Lord, the place where your glorious presence dwells.
Psalms 26:8 (NLT)
Ooops – that is Lesa from Lebo, KS
Sarah, Nashville. And all men shall reverently fear and be in awe; and they will declare the work of God, for they will wisely consider and acknowledge that it is His doing. Psalm 64:9 (Amplified)
Jetta, Atlanta, GA
March on, my soul; be strong! Judges 5:21b NIV
Carol, Phoenix, Arizona
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Julia
The Woodlands, TX
“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered – how fleeting my life is.” Psalm 39:4 (NLT)
Kristina, Huntsville, AL
“For we live by faith not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV
Lynn, Humble, TX
Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Acts 20:32 NIV
Beth, Mullica Hill, NJ
Matthew 6:8
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
Marietta, GA
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
Char, Inver Grove Heights, MN
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Colossians 4:2 TNIV
“Train me, God, to walk straight; then I’ll follow your true path. Put me together, one heart and mind; then, undivided, I’ll worship in joyful fear.” Psalm 86:11 “The Message”
Debbie Queen City TX
And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand.
John 10:28 NKJV
Christen Jasper, AL
Proverbs 20:7 NIV
The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.
Psalm 91:2 NIV – I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, anf for thy truth’s sake.
Psalm 115:1 KJV
Amy
Osceola, AR
John 14:27 (NIV) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Julie, Arkansas
Phil 4:17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. KJV
Ann Marie, GR MN “Worry weighs a person down, an encouraging word cheers a person up.” Prov. 12:25, NLT
Margalena-Newnan, GA
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24 NIV
Sharon, Barrington
“I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 34:4 NIV
Kelly, Appleton, WI
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
Isaiah 40:28 (NIV)
Esabelle
Louisville, Ky.
Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isa. 41:10
NASB
Stephanie, Canton: “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out Your precepts.”(Psalm 119:45 NIV)
Siesta from Virginia, “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17, NRSV
Laura, Strawberry Plains, Tennessee
The Lord gave the command; a great company of women brought the good news. Psalms 68:11 (Holman Christian Standard)
Nancy, Gettysburg, SD
John 13:14-17 (NIV) “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
Port Huron, MI
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those called according to HIS purpose.
Romans 8:28 NKJV
Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:4
Have a Blessed Day!
Marti, Loganville, Ga
Careless words stab like a sword, But wise words bring healing. Proverbs 12:18 NLT
Sheila, Sevierville.
March on, my soul; be strong!
Judges 5:21b NIV
Rachel, Minneapolis:
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
-Proberbs 3:7-8
Dawn Holly Springs: “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 NLT
Carola, Missoula,MT
Isa 61:2 ESV to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
and the day of vengance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
2 Chron. 16:9 NKJV
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.
Margaret
Coeur D Alene, ID
Elizabeth, Falls Church, VA
“Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
Let now my heart be drawn to what is evil.”
~Psalm 141:3-4a
Make that ‘Let NOT my heart be drawn to what is evil’!!
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you.”.
I Cor. 3:16 NKJV
Dendy, Hernando, Ms
“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanityso that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death- that is, the devil- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” Hebrews 2: 14-15 NIV
Dallas, When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3 NLT