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!
Blair from Troy
Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should instead clothe yourselves with the beausty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentel and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.
~1Peter 3:3-4
“May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.”
Romans 15:5 (NLT)
Jenna
Waco, TX
Alice,Wilmington
Humble yourself therefore under Gods mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time cast all your axiety on Him because he cares for you.1Peter5:6
from Alex, Ok
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable, unto God which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
Cindy, Tulsa OK
Psalm 23:5-6 NKJV
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and i will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Karen Livonia Mi
Ephesians 3:20-21
20 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, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Gayle, Carrie, Jeanne,
Julia, Sharon, Barbara
Ventura, CA
so that we shall confidently say, “The Lord is
my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?”
Heb 13:6 NAS
Ephesians 4:24, NIV (continued from last time)
…and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Atlanta, GA
“And David shepherded them with integrity of heart;
with skillful hands he led them.”
Psalm 78:72 NIV
Deborah, Marshall…Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Psalm 24:8(NIV)
OOPS….Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him…..is in Psalm 34:8, not 24:8
“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, and your love, your faith, and your purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT)
Caroline
Waco, TX
Tanya R. Sirra Vista, AZ
March on, my soul; be strong! Judges 5:21b (NIV)
Stacy Featherston
Searcy, Arkansas
“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
I REALLY needed this one last week…carried it around with me everywhere I went:)
Debra From Calgary, Alberta
The one thing I ask of the Lord-the thing I seek most is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and mediating in his Temple.
Psalm 27:4
Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For your are the God of my salvation, For You I wait all day.
Psalm 25:5
Toni, Boulder- March on my soul; be strong! Judges 5:21 NIV
Stacey, Midlothian ~ “Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.”
Jeremiah 32:17 ESV
Carolyn, Union City, GA
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
Sheila, Carthage
Phil. 4:8 NIV
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever us admirable-it anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.
Christina
Louisville, KY
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11 NIV
Pam, Sioux Falls, SD
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul. . . ”
Psalm 23:1-3a NASB
Jer 33:3 (NIV)
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Chris from Helena,AL
Leah
Asheville, NC
Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
Jeremiah 32:17 NIV
Sulphur LA The joy of the lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)
Traci Eccles from Lakewood, WA:
“Rescue me from my enemies O Lord,
for I hide myself in you.
Teach me to do your will
for you are my God.
Let your good spirit
lead me on level ground.” Psalms 143:9-10
Traci, Columbus, OH.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 (ESV)
But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the LORD Jesus-the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. Acts 20:24
Hebrews 1:1-2
Long ago at many times and in many ways God spoke to our fathers by the prophets but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also created the world.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philipians 4:13
Kim
Champaign IL
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1
Shawnee, Oklahoma
Romans 12:2 NASB
And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
“You, dear children are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 NIV
” . . in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Romans 8:37 NIV
Sherry
Oklahoma
Amy, Grand Rapids, MI
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3 ESV
Robin, Tracy CA
“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
Mitzi, Brandon, MS
Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like Him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want. 1 Peter 4:1-2 Message
Lindsay, Salisbury, NC: Thus says the Lord: ” Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is in the Lord.”. Jeremiah 17: 5, 7 NKJV
I haven’t picked my verse yet, but I’m going to. 🙂
Chris, Glen Morgan, WV
It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. Today’s NIV
Kristi ~ Logansport, IN ~ To one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? II Cor. 2:16 ESV
Inger , Loveland, “Humble yourselves before the Lird and he will lift you up. “. NIV James 4:10
Clovis, Ca. NIV
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Thank you for doing all that you do. I have been walking through a season where my husband lost his job. kI can’t find any where in God’s word that he is going to leave us. His word is so vital.
Kingston, Oklahoma
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and has made us to be a kingdom of priests to serve his God and Father – to him be the glory and power forever and ever. Amen Rev: 1:5b
Sarah Melbourne, Fl
Esther 4:14 NIV
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
Abigail, Cincinnati. “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand” (Psalm 37:23-24, NLT).
Michelle, Seattle: “You must worship no other god, but only the Lord, for he is a God who is passionate about his relationship with you.” Exodus 34:14-NLT
“Yet even now, declares the Lord, Return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping, and mouring; And rend your heart and not your garments. Now return to the Lord your God for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness, and relenting of evil.”
Joel 2:12-13 NASB
Lynn, St. Louis
Natalie D, Indialantic FL. Your faith has saved you, go in peace. Luke 7:50 NIV
Cheryl, Midlothian, Va
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassion never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lam 3:22-23 NIV
Teresa
Orange City
The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet. And He will make me walk on my high hills. Habakkuk 3:19 NKJV