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!
Heather – Richland, WA
John 14:14
You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (NIV)
Galatians 5:24 NIV
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
Marissa, Oklahoma
April, Boerne, TX
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Isaiah 26:3 NLT
I will establish my covenant, as an everlasting covenant between you and your descendants after for the generations to come to be your God and the God of the descendants after you
Genesis 17:7 NIV
(breakable ONLY by man)
Moyock, NC
Be not afraid, only believe. Mark 5: 36 KJV
1 Peter 1:4-5 (NASB)
“to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God.
John1:1
Judy, Tyler. “March on, my soul. Be strong.” Judges 5:21b
I love you, Lord, my strength
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my mountain where I seek refuge.
Psalm 18:1-2
Laura Eloise, Austin – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go,
Joshua 1:9
“Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do it for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
“All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.” James 1:17 The NET Bible
Celeste, Los Angeles & Toronto: “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighings of the needy, now I will arise”, says the LORD; I will set him in the safety for which he yearns. Psalm 12:5 NKJV
Ruthann – Odessa, TX
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7
John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Ola, Woodbridge, Psalm 119:18 (AMP), Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law.
You hem me in behind and before and You lay your hand upon me. Psalm 139:5
I know I’m a little late but I have still been memorizing since the last comment I made. If this is too late that’s okay.
Laura – Houston, Texas
Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.
Psalm 86:11 (NIV)
Allison Merrell Eclectic, AL
Above all else guard your heart for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God. Matthew 5:8 NIV Carol, Poplar Bluff, MO
Philippians 4:6 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Amy, Sweeny, Tx
He has showed you O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you; to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with the LORD. Michah 6:8
Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
sheilah, OK
Patricia, Dallas, Tx
Philippians 4:13{ESV}
I can do all things through Him (Christ)who strengthens me.
kimberly mason, tuscaloosa, al:
“open my eyes that i may see wonderful things in your law.”
psalm 119:18
March 1st and 15th
Always be joyful, never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thess. 5:16-18 (NIV)
Zimmerman, MN
Matthew 6:8
Jesus said, “Your Father knows the things you need, even before you ask Him.” NLT
Karen, Naples, FL
Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!
Phil 4:4-5 The Message
Karen, Naples, FL
“Who knows, perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.”
Esther 4:14b, Holman
Power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my waeknesses, so that Your power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
Power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Your power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
James 1:19-20 “…Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger deos not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
Kristi, Charleston, WV “With the trumpets and the sound of a horn; Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King.” Psalm 98:6 (NKJV)
Bethany from Waco, TX
He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Psalm 23:3 NASB
Christine, Augusta, Ga
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 NKJV
Let your conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:6 NIV
SHERRY, TULSA: “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.” Ephesians 1:17, NIV
Belinda, Olathe Kansas
Lord, You KNOW the hopes of the helpless.
Surely, You WILL hear their cries and comfort them.
Psalms 10:17 NLT
Stephanie, Houston.
Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully.
His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:5 NLT
Mary Alice
Dallas, TX
I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, “You are my servant”;
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
Isaiah 41:9 NIV
Carole, Austin: The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand; Psalm 121:5, NIV
Linda, Austin, TX
Psalm 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
Call upon Me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you and you shall glorify Me.
Psalm 50:15
Nikki, Franklin, TN
If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12 (NLT)
jennifer, cheyenne wy: if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him James 1:5 The 1984 NIV Bible
Rebecca. Malvern, pa
James 1:17
every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness neither shadow of changing.
Laurie, Edmond
Judges 5:21b (NIV)
March on, my soul; be strong!
Wendy
Vero Beach
“Stand firm then,
with the belt if truth buckled around your waist,
with the breastplate of righteousness in place”
(NIV)
Ephesians 6:14