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!
Alexia-Champaign, IL
But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever.
Psalm 52:8 NIV
Heather, Birmingham
Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.
Jeremiah 33:6, NIV
Esther Hurst, TX
James 1:19 NIV
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
Michele
North Oaks, mn
Psalm 16:6
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed I have a beautiful inheritance.
Angela, Amarillo Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusted in thee. Isaiah 26:3 KJV
Amy, Starkville, MS- For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
Tina Simmons, Nashville, TN
I can’t believe it’s already March!
Exodus 14:14
“You only need to remain calm. The Lord will fight for you.” NCV
Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Dana
Boerne, TX
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. Isaiah 42:13 NKJV
Susan from Stow, Ohio
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you my be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4 NIV
Lisa, Daytona Beach- “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight.”
Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Amber H, Rockwell NC
“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
Ericka, Langhorne: “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”
Ephesians 6:10-11 (NLT)
Judy, LaPlata, MD
Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Renee – Charlotte, NC
Psalm 46:5, “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” (NIV)
Leah — Taylors, SC Jas 1:12 NET Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him.
Ann –Garden City, MI Psa 23:5 KJV Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Courtney, LaPlata, MD
2 Corinthians 2:14-17 (ESV)
14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.
15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,
16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
Corbin, KY
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:9
Lori from Magnolia, TX
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret,but worldly sorrow brings death. 2 Cor. 7:10
Marilyn, Sykesville, MD
Hebrews 10:14 NIV
With one sacrifice He made perfect forever those who are being made holy
Pam
Arvada, CO
Galatians 5:1 (NASB)
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
Sharon,Atlanta, GA
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29 NAS
Emily
Fuquay-Varina, NC
John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” NAS
Jill Sayles, Puyallup, WA
Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you.”
NAS
Ginger, Ellijay, GA- 2 Corinthians 5:17: ” Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; the old has gone, the new is here!” (NIV)
Kristin
Tulare, CA
“For by the grace given me I say to everyone of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement in accordance with the measure of faith God gas given you.”
Romans 12:3 NIV
Judy, Holland MI. March on, my soul; be strong. Judges 5:21b 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 heart be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV
Vicki, Greenville, MS
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness Galations 5:22
Denise, Hernando Beach
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends You,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Psalm 139:23-24, Amplified Bible
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 new king james version
Gail
Ellensburg, WA
Isaiah 61:1 (King James Version)
1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Olympia, WA. The Almighty Himself with be your treasure. He will be your precious silver! Job 22:25 NLT
Kathy, Elyria Oh… Since you are my rock and my fortress,for the sake of your name lead and guide me.. Ps31:3 NIV
“The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” -Ps. 138:8 ESV
Lacie
Chesapeake, VA
Emily
Virginia Beach,
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.
Psalm 91:2 NIV
Carol – LaGrange, Ga Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Eph 6:14-15 NIV
Julie, Owensboro, KY
Psalm 3:3-5 NIV
But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from His holy hill.I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 NIV
MIchelle, Warsaw, IN
Romans 12:1 (NIV): 1 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.
Sara, Lavonia, GA
“Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be to many to declare.” Psalm 40:5 NIV
Selena – Albany, GA
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful. – John 14:27, HCSB
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. ~ Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
South Bend
“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their distress and troubles.”
Psalm 34:17 Amplified
Kristi, Puyallup, WA, Ephesians 1:3, NIV:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Amy Toney, Houston – “Obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” – Col 3:22-24 NIV
Shelley C., Casey, IL
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12 NIV
Jamie from Fayetteville, Georgia
I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. Psalm 18:3 KJV (Continuing in Psalm 18!)
Lita, Blairsville, GA. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. ” Psalm 19:1 NIV