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!
Amy- Wichita- KS
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.
PS. 27:4, NIV
Hi Amy,
I am from the Wichita area too…..felt a special blessing seeing you here!
Adele-Alys from Matthews, NC : Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. Psalm 84:5 ESV
Suzanne – Knoxville, TN: “‘The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.” Mark 12: 30-31 (Msg.)
Tammy, Delray Beach, Florida
“The Lord is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1(Breaking Free,Week 10,Day 5)
“March on, my soul; be strong!” Judges 5:21b(NIV)
Orange, Texas
Rom. 8:26-27 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
Kristi, SC:
“If I give all I possess to the poor, and surrender my body to the flames but have not love, I gain nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13:3 (NIV)
Julie, Cedar Rapids, IA
For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe the His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:5 NIV
Sarah,Euharlee,Ga that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding be enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. Ephesians 1: 17-18 NKJV
Donna, Sarnia, Ontario
“Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting.
Blessed be Your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship You.”
Neh 5b-6 NIV
Sara Springfield, Mo KJV
Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all you need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Keller, Tx, Isaiah 43:1-3, 25-26a (ESV):
1 But now thus says the LORD, He who created you, O (M’Lissa), He who formed you, O (precious one): “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. 25 “I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. 26 Put me in remembrance;
Jen, Auburn Twp., OH: James 5:16 (NIV) Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
(I chose this verse because I am to be prayed over by our elders tonight for healing from signs of a possible auto-immune disorder.)
Jen, Your Siesta here in Pottsville, Arkansas is praying for you also. Please let me know how everythings turns out. I have rhuematoid arthritis. If you want to email me I am at [email protected]. Sincerely, Dawn
Lori, Waxhaw, NC – Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trust in you.
Liz, Logansport
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me.” John 14:1 (NASB; NIV says trust instead of believe)
I also like the new NIV 2010 version (“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”)
Georganne, Piedmont, Oklahoma. Psalm 141:3 N. I. V.
Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Leslie, Princeton, NJ
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
Tracy from Wheeling, WV
“The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.” Psalm 45:11 (NIV)
Diane, Pinedale, WY
1 Cor. 6:12, NIV
Everything is permissible for me – but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me – but I will not be mastered by anything.
Psalm 25:4-5 (NKJV)
Show me Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.
Margie
Hilton Head Island, SC
Sandy-Houston
“You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north.” Deutoronomy 2:3 NASB
And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus, Philippians 4:19 NIV
Troy, Ohio
My determined purpose is that I may know Him, that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person. Philippians 3:10 (Amplified Bible)
Brooke, Carterville IL,
“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.” Joshua 1:9 NLT
Renee, Uvalde, TX Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
Sarah, Greensboro NC
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
-Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
Amy
Oklahoma
Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”
Beverly, Pearland, TX
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Psalm 27:13 NIV
Jeri, Stillwater, Oklahoma
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Holly, Beaumont, CA “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 NIV
Darbi, Saltillo, MS
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9 KJV
Luann, Grand Junction CO,
1 Corinthians 10:31 (New International Version, ©2010)
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Wanda, Eureka MO: “Do not be conformed 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
Anita- Gardner, KS
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.
Deut. 31:6 (NIV)
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:11-12 (NIV)
Leigh DeLozier, McDonough, GA
You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. (James 4:2b-3, ESV)
Kathy, Austin Ps. 68:9,10
You gave abundant showers, Oh, God;You refreshed your weary inheritance
Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, God You provided for the poor.
Suzanne
Galion, Ohio
Susan, Tucson, AZ. House and land are handed down from parents, but a congenial spouse comes straight from God. Proverbs 19:14. The Message
Allyson
League City TX
Psalm 138:8 ESV
The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of Your hands.
Julie
Clanton, Alabama
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3, NIV
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Gal. 6:10 (NIV)
Jennifer, Charlotte NC
“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24 NIV
Joyce, Exeter,RI
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:10 (KJV)
April, Rapelje, MT 1 John 4:4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He that is in you than he who is in the world.
Angie, Toronto
Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
Thank you, Beth. I sooo needed this encouragement.
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? Isaiah 43:19b The Message
Angela J., Grand Ridge, FL
Proverbs 3:5-6 (New King James Version)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct[a] your paths.
Suzanne
Galion, Ohio
And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
NAS
Ann, San Antonio
For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. Deuteronomy 10:17 NIV
Manitoba, Canada
Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
I’m borrowing this one, Beth, I needed it this morning.