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!
Wendy Lerch, Calgary, Alberta Canada
So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Carrie Hays: Houston, TX
Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland. ~ Isaiah 43:18-19, NIV
Psalm 25: 4-5 “Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for me to follow. Lead my by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.” -Angie, Aberdeen, SD
Stephanie, Queen City
8)Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)
Annalee in Houston
2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)
Preach the Word;
be prepared in and out of season;
correct, rebuke and encourage-
with great patience and careful instruction.
My Grace is sufficient for you, Vicki, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
Sherree Hunsberger, Lilburn, GA — “Do not devise harm against your neighbor, while he lives securely beside you.” Proverbs 3:29 NAS
Jenny, Kansas City, MO
“The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places. Indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance!”
Psalm 16:6
Erin in Euless, TX – “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 through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” Hebrews 6:17-19 (NLT)
Pam, Lookout Mountain GA, Ps 73:25
Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Sydney, Tucson,AZ
Psalms 44:26 NIV
“Rise up and help us; redeem us because of your unfailing love.”
Eileen, Rice, WA
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Proverbs 14:30 NIV
Cheryl, Austin. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. Proverbs 6:22 NIV
Jenny- Corona, Ca
Do not conform any longer to the pattern 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
If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
NIV
LaShon, Indianapolis
But showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me an keep my commandments. Exodus 20:6 NIV
Jonna- Denton
Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again my Savior and my God! Ps. 42:5 NLT
From Fontana, CA
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” – Matthew 18:19-20 NIV
Beth; Iowa City, IA
“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:21-23 (NIV)
Cheryl, Black Mountain, NC
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
Christina Luther
Roseburg, OR
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 16:24
NIV
Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Rev. 3:19 (ESV)
Direct my steps according to Your word; let no sin rule over me. Ps 119:133 NIV
Moultrie, Georgia
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV
Megan
Blytheville, AR
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45
ESV
Angie P., Newark DE ~ “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15
Paula: Oklahoma — 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
Carrie, Colbert, WA
Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
(I needed just that verse… short & sweet!)
2 Chronicles 7:14 (New International Version)
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Cyndi, Sherwood park Isaiah 49:16 NIV
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.
Linda, Blue Springs, MO: “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:6-8
ESV
Sorry to be late in posting my memory verses. Just returned from a trip to Houston, which included, much to my benefit and joy, the Tuesday evening James Bible Study.
Amanda, Pine Bluff, AR
I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die. Galatians 2:21, NLT
Beth, Birmingham, AL
“A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not stuff out. In faithfulness He will bring forth justice;”
Isaiah 42:3, NIV (2011)
Christine, Union, MO: “When I said, “My foot is slipping,” Your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:18-19 NIV
Erin, Tyler, Tx. Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past, see I am doing a new thing!
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
“Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.” Ephesians 4:22 NLT
Aimee, Ponca City, Ok
Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
Tracy Southlake, TX
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 NIV
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones”, Proverbs 17:22, NIV
Hannah, Chesterland
“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me,so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”
John 15:8-9 ESV
Melissa, Centreville, Michigan
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem “May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.”
Psalm 122:6-7 (NIV)
Amy, Los Alamos
Hebrews 1:3 NIV
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
MaryKaren, Charlotte, NC “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans15:13, NIV
James 3:17 New International Version
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Marilyn, Florence, AL
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
I Peter 5:6-7 NIV
Tracy, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
Hebrews 12:1, 2 NLT
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance, the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2 NIV
Susie, Whitehouse, TX
Marie
Byhalia, MS
John 15:16 NASB
“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.
Patty – Glendora, Ca “Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.” Col 4:6 NLT