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!
Rebekah – Fulton, MS
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
– Matthew 6:33-34, NLT
This is the first one that I actually had trouble picking. Don’t know what that means.
Barb,Churchill, Ontario, Canada
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Heb. 11:1 NIV
Emily, Deltona, Florid
1 Peter 3:3-4 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of goldjewelry and fine clothes. 4 Instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is of great worth in God’s sight. NIV
Sandi
St. Paul, MN
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
“The LORD my God is with me,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in me,
he will quiet me with his love,
he will rejoice over me with singing.”
(personalization mine)
(Isa 42:13 NIV) The LORD will march out like a mighty man, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies.
Pam Campbellsburg,IN
I chose this verse for the March as well as the stirring up. Title of our sermon Sunday, Stir it up. It seemed the right one !! Thanks Beth for the suggestions !
Anita McGinnis, Chattanooga, TN
“March on, oh my soul, be strong!” Judges 5:21b NIV
Linda, Delray Beach FL — “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. Isaiah 54:10 NIV
Stephanie – San Ramon, CA (temporarily) Tampa (normally)
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
James 1:19-20 NIV
Karen, Lake Jackson, TX “…being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience” Colossians 1:11
Leslee, Fremont, CA
March on, my soul; be strong!
James 5:21b
*Need to soak in this, husband health issues.
Jerral, Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
“Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples. For great is His love towards us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.”
Psalm 117:1-2 (NIV)
Michelle, Brooklyn CT
Ephesians 2:8-9 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
Katy, Midland, TX – “You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” Luke 1:45 NLT
Merriam, Ks
Psalm 61:4 I long to dwell in Your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
Kaylee, West Texas
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Ps. 139:14 (NIV)
Amy, Quincy, IL
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Do not conform 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.
I sit in my Dad’s hospital room recovering from cancer
surgery( good results) and I felt God meant for us to hear this verse.
March on, my soul be strong. Judges 5:21 NIV
Valerie, West Texas
“This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who trembles at My word.” Is. 66:2b (NIV)
Stacie- Cyvadier, Haiti
Psalm 46:1-3, NIV
“God is our protection and our strength. He always helps in times of trouble. So we will not be afraid even if the the earth shakes, or the mountians fall into the sea, even if the oceans roar and foam, or the mountians shake at the raging sea.”
“He is the Rock, His works are perfect,
and all His ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong,
upright and just is He.”
Dueteronomy 32:4 (NIV)
BTW- Has Beth announced the dates for The Siesta Get-Together in 2012???
Ruth, Shawnee, KS
Phillipians 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 minds in Christ Jesus.
April, Oak Ridge, TN
“The LORD watches over you-the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.” Psalm 121:5-6
Angie
Albertville, AL
If I have the gift of prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2 NASB
Helen, Cambridge, UK: ‘If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.’ John 15:7-8, NKJV
Jennifer from Russellville, AR
Isaiah 48:17 NLT
The Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good and leads you along the paths you should follow.
“Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.
Matthew 21:22 NIV
Melissa, Atlanta,
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
Oops almost forgot to post! Betty, Brown City, MI
Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Kaylee, West Texas
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Ps. 139:14 (NIV)
Kim in Billings, MT: 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. Gal 5: 22-23 NIV
Sherry Taneyville 2 Thes. 1:3 We give thanks to God because your faith is growing more and more, and the love you have for others is increasing. NIV
Kelli, Indianapolis:
I was baptized 1 1/2 week ago…this verse is so applicable to me- “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV **PRAISE HIM!!!**
Praising God for my new sister in Christ!
April, Lake Charles, LA
For I hope in You, O LORD,; You will answer, O LORD my God. ~ Psalm 38:15
Linda, Newark, DE
“For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.” 2 Peter 1:4 NASB
Rhonda – Houston – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5 NIV
Michelle, New Hampshire
Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Phil 1:6 NKJ
I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him. Ecclesiastes 3:14 (NIV)
Laura, Lexington, Ky
March on, my soul; be strong!
Judges 5:21b NIV
Janae, Burnsville, MN
The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 19:7b NIV
Carrie-St.Cloud, Fl
“The name of the Lord is a strong fortress the godly run to him and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10 NLT
Kelei. Iowa Park. PROVERBS 31:30
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. NIV
Hannah, La Grange TX: “Let us acknowledge the Lord; Let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like th winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:3 NIV
Lynette, Alton,IL
You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 32:7(NIV)
Allison, Belton, SC:
‘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 41:10 (niv)
Roberta, Fanshawe,OK
This is what the Lord says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.
Isaiah 48:17 (NIV)
Roxy, Columbia, Md.
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thess. 5:16-18 (NIV)
Isaiah 48:17 (NKJV)
Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer,
The Holy One of Israel:
“I am the LORD your God,
Who teaches you to profit,
Who leads you by the way you should go.”
Crosby, Tx
Romans 15:13 NIV
“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.”
Michelle, New Hampshire
Just starting this “march” in March 🙂
Verse 1) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a soundmind.
2 Tim 1:7 NKJ
Verse 2) Have i not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Josh 1:9
Verse 3) For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5 NIV
Verse 4) Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43: 18-19
Hillary
St Marys, WV
Verse 5: “For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,” says the Lord. –Jeremiah 30:17 NKJV