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!
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12, NIV
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” –1 Peter 4:8
Amber
Florence, Ky
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)
Florence, Ky.
Nakisha, MI
Be still and know that I am God; I will be exaulted among the nations, I will be exaulted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 NIV
Morgen, Elizabethtown KY
Proverbs 31:25,26
Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
Thank you thank you thank you…. Thank for all the stuides of the past through a god has grown me. Thank you for the blog (which I read today march 2 )….. Just what I needed. Tank you for the Houston connection….. A friend and I drove from Austin to be there last night… ( only Tuesday we could make work). I have tears of thankfulness in my eyes as I type this… The message was exactly what I needed to hear… Ihave been in the dry spell, missing hearing from my God, and you encouraged me…. Reminded me of where he is working, that to produce fruit the land does have to have a dry spel… I could go on and on. Not only was the message so encouraging but being in a room with people who expected god to show up, who were seeking god… That experience was so moving,such a privilege. I wish I could find a church (moved to Austin from az and still looking for a church home ) that felt that way… Wow. … I am sure that experience is what god intended for us… We hope to be able to visit again…. Thanks for making it available to anyone…. Even people from hours away!!!! I am so excited to do the james study when it somas out!!! Praigin god more today than I did yesterday!
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you home and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
Cari, Huntington, WV
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Matthew 6:19-20 NIV
Idabel, Oklahoma
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you home and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
Lesia from Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Psalm 46:1 NKJV
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”
sharon, Platte City, MO “They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings-and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” Rev. 17:14 NIV
Jodi, St. Paul, MN
Psalm 73:26 NIV
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
Mary Beth – Abilene TX
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
Psalm 107:8-9 NIV
Taryn from Elizabethtown, KY
“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
1 Cor. 13:11-13 NKJV
Marcia San Clemente
Search me O God and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there be any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.
PS 139:23-24
Jasdeep,
Toronto, ON =)
Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for you souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Tara
Greensboro, NC
For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:19
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance; But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 1Peter 1:13-21 (KJV) I might keep this one for the whole month, as it is pretty long. 🙂
Kay, Clemmons, NC
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 NIV
Lisa, Edmonton, Canada. Do not conform any longer to the patterns 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. Romans 12:2 NIV
Mildred, Mer Rouge,LA Isaiah 25:22(NIV)
Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.
Judges 5:21b(NIV) March on my soul; be strong.
Holly
Williamston, SC
(breaking these down for March !!!)
Hebrews 6:17-20a NLT
“God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us though the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us.”
Kari, South Dakota…
John 8:11b NIV
Go now and leave your life of sin.
Michele, Edmond, Ok,
“Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace;
Thereby good will come to you. Receive, please, instruction from His mouth. And lay up His words in your heart.” Job 22:21-22 NewKJV
Splendor and majesty are before HIm; strength and joy in His dwelling place. I Chronicles 16:27
I waited patiently for the Lord;he turned to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1
Tona, SC -Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
Sara, Claremont- Direct my steps according to Your word; let no sin rule over me.
Ps 119:133 NIV
Catherine, Puyallup, WA
“Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.”
Isaiah 48:18 ESV
Ashley, West Monroe. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 NIV
Jamey, Pocahontas
“For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
My husband lost his job today…the 2nd in the last 8 months.
Please pray that I will be a source of encouragement to him.
Amy, St. Louis
“March on with courage, my soul.”
Judges 5:21b NLT
Rachel, Blairsville, GA: Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 NIV
Laura A.
Inglewood, CA
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.
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
Claudia, Mauriceville, TX
“Then Mosses said to Him. “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up here.” Exodus 33:15 NIV
Jacquie, Prosper – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23, NIV
Michelle, Lewisville, TX
Proverbs 15:30 (NIV) A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
Royana, Grand Prairie, Texas
Psalm 68:11 NIV 2011
11 The Lord announces the word,
and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng.
Susan, Toronto
“being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,” Colossians 1:11 NIV
Julie Lexington, KY
I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anquish of my soul. You have not handed me over to the enemy, but have set my feet in a spacious place. Psalm 31:7-8 (NIV)
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
Allison, Fort Worth
Allison, Tampa:
2Cor. 4:17-18 KJV
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
Hope in Washington:
Psalm 62:7-8 (NIV)
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God[a];
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Ann from Sugar Land, TX
Anyone then who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.
James 4;17
Lana, Nebraska
Rejoice always,pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess. 5:16-18 (NIV)
Alice, Fort Collins, Co
Psalm 62:1
I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.
NIV
Carrie
Poplar Bluff
1Cor. 6:19-20 NIV
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you , whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
Jennifer, Wilmington DE
But we are NOT of those who SHRINK BACK and are destroyed,
but of those who BELIEVE and are saved.
– Heb 10:39
Pam, Liberty: “I have been bought with a price, and I belong to God.” 1 Corinthians 6:20
Sarah, Johnstown, PA
“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”
Colossians 1:10 NIV