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!
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
I Corinthians 13:4-5 NLT
Deuteronomy 32:4 (NASB)
He is the Rock, His works are perfect,
and all His ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong,
upright and just is He.
Debbie in El Paso, IL
Deuteronomy 6:8,9
Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Tammy, Fayetteville, AR
“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Neh. 8:10 NIV
Don’t be conceited, sure of your own wisdom. Instead, trust and reverence the Lord, and turn your back on evil; when you do that, than you will be given renewed health, and vitality.
Proverbs 4:7,8 The Living Bible
Stacie, Memphis TN
1Tim. 4:16 NIV Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Frederika, Iowa
Mark 9:23 NIV
“What do you mean, If I can?” asked Jesus. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
Bartlesville, OK
Hebrews 2:3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
So late! Struggled with picking a verse…I had 4 of them!
Summer C
Fuquay Varina, NC
Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
April, Smyrna.
You will show me the paths of life. In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalms 16:11, NKJV
Jan, Denton, “Let us be grateful for a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and let us worship with reverance and awe.” Hebrews 12:28 NIV (sorry this is late)
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20 NIV
Joanne
St. Petersburg, FL
Leann (Alabama) James 3:17 (NIV)
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.
Nikky, Sweeny, Texas
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 ESV
Kristin, Clearwater, FL
“Be joyful always; pray continually.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 (NIV)
Valerie, Portland,OR
Be still and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10 NLT
Romans 5:1 NIV
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Liz-Verona, WI
Cheri, Neenah, WI
Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your Word in my heart, that I may not sin against you. NLT
I wish I could be stronger Lord!
Linda, Cypress, Tx ” And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus”
Phil 4:19 NIV
Joanne, UK
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.
Psalm 51:17 NASB
Maribeth, Jackson, MS
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen
II Peter 3:18 NIV
Maddie, Rockport, MA
“March on my soul; Be strong!”
Judge’s 5:21 (NIV)
Valley Center, KS
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV
Jolie, Cottage Grove, MN
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Hebrews 11:23-24 NIV
Casey-Henrietta, TX
Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 (HCSB)
Nanette R., Nashville, TN
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7, NIV
Wanda, North Canton, Ohio
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
A few days late posting, but better late than never, right? (Grin.)
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27 (NIV)
Linda, Indio, CA – Mark 6:31 Then, because so many people were coming and going they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest”. NIV
Kim & Charis, Signal Mountain, TN
“He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” Psalm 1:3, NIV
Ann
Morelia, Mexico
“Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation in which you shine like stars in the universe.” Philippians 2:14,15 (NIV)
Psalm 73:25-26 (NIV)
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
“But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
Joshua 24:15 – NIV
Lari – Austin, TX
Patti, Roxboro, NC
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10: 41-42 NIV
Brandy-Prattville,AL.
Rejoice always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances ; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonian 5:16-18 NIV
Nancy, Perry, GA “May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your purpose.” Psalm 21:4 (NKJV)
Luanne, from Magnolia: “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” -Psalm 73:25-26 (NIV)
Karen ~ Greer, SC: (continuing Colossians 1:15-20)
“For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ,” Col. 1:19 (NLT)
Selina, Barbourville, KY.
And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galations 6:9 KJV
Stephanie Corvallis
Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV
Numbers 14:24 (New International Version, ©2011)
But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.
Lisa, New York
Cindy, Austin, “Love the lord your god with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV
Cheri
Louisville, KY
“Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.”
John 8:28 KJV
Jessie, Meriden, CT
They sweep past like the wind and are gone. But they are deeply guilty, for their own strength is their god. (Habakkuk 1:11, NLT)
Kim Cypress, Texas
2 Corinthians 10:5 NLT
We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
Hollie, Atlanta/Cumming. 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
(I like the Message version, too! What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail.)
Bridget, Buford, GA
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set befor him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 NIV
Tricia, Eldridge
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Debbie, Thomasville, GA
“When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need – words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you.” Ephesians 4:29 (New Century Version)
March on, my soul; be strong. Judges 5:21b NIV