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!
Karen, Fishers
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 can not express. Romans 8:26 NIV
Leigh Ann, Macon, Ga.
In preparation for Lent:
Isaiah 53:5 NIV
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.
Carolyn, N.B., IL – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
Beth, LaVernia, Tx
For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Luke 14:11 NIV
Lyndsey, Telford, PA: Sorry I’m a day late, ladies!! I was gonna do another, but one of Beth’s totally knocked me over my head so here it is: “When You, God, went out before your people, when You marched through the wilderness, the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. You gave abundant showers, O God; You refreshed Your weary inheritance. Your people settled in it, and from Your bounty, God, You provided for the poor.” Psalm 68:7-10 NIV
Cheryl, Austin: “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” Deut. 31:8 NIV
Chapel Hill, NC
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
-Titus 3:4-7, NIV
Barbara, Avon Park: Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. Psalm 73: 23 NIV
Just to say, I’m changing my verse from the one I previously posted …
Janet
Enid, OK
Leviticus 26:2
“‘Observe my Sabbaths and have reverence for my sanctuary. I am the LORD.”
But blessed is the woman who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. She will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. She does not fear when heat comes; her leaves are always green. She has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV (I changed the pronouns!) Dinah from Baraboo, WI
Ashley G., Orlando, FL
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 NASB
Lainee, Flagstaff-Call on me in prayer and I will answer you. I will show you great and mysterious4 things which you still do not know about. Jeremiah 33:3 NET
Karla and Hannah, Ft. Thomas, KY
Direct my steps according to Your word; let no sin rule over me. Ps 119:133 NIV
Jessica, Edmond Oklahoma.
“Give thanks to the lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Ps 107:1 NIV
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1Peter 5:7 NIV
Beth, Cleveland, OH
Prov. 29:11 NASB
A fool always loses his temper, but a wise (wo)man holds it back.
Cindy from Medical Lake, Wa says:
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)
Debbie, Olathe, KS
Psalm 118:5- “In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free.”
Joni, Bradenton
Psalm 84:4-6
Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
Amanda, Nashville, TN (posting late…sorry :[ ),
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we asl or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Chirst Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 2: 19-20 NKJV
Mary Arnold, Durham NC: “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Ephesians 6:11 NIV
“Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it, because it does…” 1 Corinthians 14:1
The Message
Dianne
Cowpens, SC
Elizabeth, Chesterfield, VA:
Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. Ephesians 4:3 (NLT)
Judy, Concord NC
“March on, my soul; be strong!”
Judges 5:21b (NIV)
In the morning, O Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation.
Psalm 5:3
Anita Howard
Valdosta, GA
Darla, McCordsville, IN
Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony.
John 4:39-42
Barbara, Greenville,SC
Psalms 18:30-35 (AMP)
As for God, His way is perfect! The word of the Lord is tested and tried; He is a shield to all those who take refuge and put their trust in Him.
Who is God? Only the Lord. Who is the rock? Only our God.
The God who girds me with strength and makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like hinds’ feet [able to stand firmly or make progress on the dangerous heights of testing and trouble]; He sets me securely upon my high places.
He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your right hand has held me up.
5. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. I Corinthians 13:5 (NLT)
For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
Galatians 1:10
Denise, Ozark, MO
M.J. in Lovington, NM
I love you, O Lord, my strength.
Psalm 18:1 NIV
Jenny, Wellington Fl
1 Peter 4:8-9 NIV
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Jennifer
Billings, MT
He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. – Daniel 6:10b NLT
Kendra, Portland Oregon. “My help comes from the Lord, who made the heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one that watches over you will not slumber” Psalm 121:2-3 NLT
Moose Jaw
“Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your Word.”
Ps.119:37 NIV
Wanda
Osborn, Missouri
Deuteronomy 7:21 (ESV)
You shall not be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is in your midst, a great and awesome God!
Regina, Cincinnati OH, “He who has and ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” Rev. 2:7 NIV
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
1 John 4:4 (NKJV)
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 person is powerful and effective.
Lisa, Scottdale Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:4
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6 NIV
Christine
Oxford, MI
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
Joan, Johnstown, PA
“We can go to God with bold confidence through faith in Christ.” Ephesians 3:12 God’s Word
Karen Ledbetter, Cookeville,TN. Psalm 40:1 NKJV
I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.
Robin, Grand Rapids, MI
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Cor 5:17 (NIV)
Dustalyn, Murdock, NE “Shout for joy, you heavens! Earth, rejoice! Mountains break into joyful shouts! For the LORD has comforted His people, and will have compassion on His afflicted ones.” Isaiah 49:13 (HCSB)
Karla, Maumee OH:
When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
Psalm 27:2 (NIV)
Denise-Meredith NH “Give to the LORD the glory due his name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!” 1 Chron 16:29 (NKJV)
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:23 (ESV)
Melissa
Waco, TX
Melissa, Sulphur, LA
James 1:25 (NIV)
But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
Jessica, Houston: As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 5:11 NIV