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!
Charli, Birmingham, AL – “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”. Galatians 6:9 ESV
Cheryl, Alta Loma, Ca
1 John 3:18 NIV
Dear Children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
“You gave abundant showers, O’God; You refresh your weary inheritance. Ps.68:9
Marlene, Chicago, IL
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 NIV
Karen
Tallahassee, FL
“Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of His face. And so, we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like Him.”
2 Cor. 3:18 The Message
Terri Lynn, NC:
Isaiah 43:1-3 NLT, Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Leann, Essexville
Everything is permissible-but not everything is beneficial. Everying is permissible-but not everything is constructive. I Corn.10:23 NIV
Cheri, Urbana, IL
2Cor 9:8 (NIV)
“And God is able to make ALL grace abound to you, so that in ALL things at ALL times, having ALL that you need, you will abound in EVERY good work.”
Beth, I love that we are no restricted to normal and the scriptures that followed!
Psalm 51:10 NIV Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me
Jerrianne, Gastonia, NC
I don’t know what happened with the first comment. It sent before I was ready. Sorry about that!
Erica, Denver, CO: “I know that the Lord is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. The Lord does whatever pleases Him in the heavens and on the earth; in the seas and all their depths. He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightening with the rain and brings out the wind from His storehouses.” Psalm 135:5-7, NIV
Darcy, Navarre, FL
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NKJV
Amy, Perkasie PA: Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul & healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 NIV
Barby Tulare California 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 “We now have this light shining in our hearts but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” NLT
Janine, Clarksburg (oops I’m a day late!)
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lors is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him.
Is. 30:18 (NIV)
IL
Proverbs 31:26
She opens her mouth with skillful and godly Wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness-giving counsel and instruction.(Amplified Bible)
Jerrianne, Gastonia, NC
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands just as we told you. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 NIV
Diane, Mississippi I love this
Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
ReAnnon: Mammoth Lakes, California.
Psalm 73:25-26 ESV
Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on Earth I desire besides you. My flesh and heart may failbut God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalms 16:11 NIV
You have made known to me the path of life, you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Georgia, Morristown
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.
Psalm 138:7, NIV
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belongs to Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Andrea, Tempe – “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” Jonah 3:2 NIV
Angela, Olathe- “Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; He won’t leave you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 The Message
Michele from Cumming, GA
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give to you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 NIV
Colossians 3:12 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Mei, Easley SC
For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. John 6:33 NIV
Michelle, Orange, CA
“Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23
Lynn, Louisville, You who have shown me many troubles and distresses Will revive me again, And will bring me up again from the depths of the earth. May You increase my greatness And turn to comfort me. Psalm 71:20,21 (NASB)
Tanya, Sheffield, AL:“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” Phillipians 4:6-7 NIV
I mean, “Philippians.”
Amanda, MI. For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 NET
Beth
Alabama
Psalm 18:18
They attacked me at a moment when I was weakest,
but the Lord upheld me.
I Timothy 6:6
Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world and can take nothing out.
Monica, Gig Harbor
For the Lord is a great God
And a great King above all gods
In whose hand are the depths of the earth,
The peaks of the mountains are His also
The sea is His, for it was He who made it,
And His hands formed the dry land.
Come, let us worship and bow down,
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture
And the sheep of His hand.
Psalm 95:3-7a NASB
Emily from Kingsport, TN
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.
2 Corinthians 2:14-16a
Kari, Gatesville
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9(NIV)
Shaunthea, Anderson, IN-You younger men; likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble. 1 Peter 5:5
Marybeth in Oxford, PA: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24 ESV
Lindsey, Lincoln, NE
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. ~Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Jen in Exton
II Timothy 2:24-25 Amp
24 And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome.
Instead he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered;
he must be a skilled and suitable teacher,patient and
forbearing and willing to suffer wrongs.
25 He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth.
Amy, Granby, CT
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV
Sara, Lakewood, CO.
Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Debbie, Houston – And do not seek what you shall eat, and what you shall drink, and do not keep worrying. Luke 12:29 NAS
Joy, Whitehouse, TX
I Chronicles 29:11 NIV
Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in Heaven and earth is Yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; You are exalted as head over all.
Regan, Conroe. “For still the vision awaits its appointed time;it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”
Habakuk 2:3, ESV.
Sandee
El Dorado Hills, Ca
Isaiah 14:24 NASB
Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned, so it will stand.
Psalm 119:15 (NIV)
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
really, it would read more believable if it said, I should meditate and I should consider 🙂
Anne Marie, Woburn, MA.
Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.” John 14:23 NLT
Charlotte, Easley SC
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 2 Peter 1:20 NIV