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!
Anna, Redford, MI
Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
Deb Fairview
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Tanya, Somerville, TN
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Guard that thought life!
Becca
Salem, Oregon
John 16:24 (NIV)
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
Brittany Woodward ~ Oklahoma City
“For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin…”
Romans 6:6, NIV
Kathy S. Hudsonville, MI
Mark 12:30 (NASB)
AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.
Sandra, Swainsboro, Georgia
Above all,love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 NIV
Romans 8:31b-32 NIV
If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Jane,
Cuba, Missouri
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16 NIV
Nancy, Denver
“March on my soul, be strong!” Judges 5:21b NIV
Cara ~ Spring, Texas
Matthew 5:16
“You should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven.”
Leanne, Mississippi
“See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.” Rev. 3:8
Shelli, Fort Worth, TX: (continued) ” … for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:20, NIV
Heather, Franklin, MA
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
-Heb 12:2 (NLT)
Patti, Florida: Psalm 42:11 (NIV)
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him,
my Savior and my God.
Miquela, Knoxville, TN
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
Beth, Troy
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:23
Tori, Winston-Salem, NC
Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
Laurice Ray Atlanta, GA
The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Jeannie
Nashville
“March on my soul; be strong”. Judges 5:21 NIV
Pam, Buena Park CA
“You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.”
Psalms 139:5 NASB
Anna, Austin: A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the Spirit. – Proverbs 15:13
Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
“I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Amanda Rearden, Windermere, FL (Orlando)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
She can laugh at the days to come.
Proverbs 31:25
NIV
Allison, Burgaw, NC
Hebrews 12:1, NIV “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Colette, Mesa, AZ.
Philemon 7 NIV
Your love has given me great JOY and encouragement,
because you brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints. 🙂
Brie, Hickory. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philipians 4:6 NIV
Brooke, Alabama: One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” Acts 18:9-10, NIV
Jenny, Sugar Land, TX
If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm;
though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
Psalm 37:23-24 NIV
Wichita Falls, TX
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38 NIV
Heidi, McDonough, GA
“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 hope and a future.’ Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Rachel, Flagstaff, AZ
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand!”
~John 10:27-29 (NIV)
Connie Windham, Trout, LA
Romans 11:33 NIV
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
Kim*Hickory,N.C.- The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 NIV
Joshua 1:9 (NASB)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Cyndi, Friendswood, TX
Ramona, Pasadena:
And may the Lord make your love grow and overflow to each other and to everyone else, just as our love overflows toward you. 1 Thess 3:12 NLT
Rebecca
Greenwood, Indiana
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Sallye San Angelo; Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said:
“Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever,
For wisdon and might are His
And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and rises up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those who have understanding.
Daniel 2:19-21 NKJV
Karen, Amarillo.
“Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. 1 Corinthians 10:23 (NIV-1984)
Diane; Nokesville, VA
“We give thanks to You, O God; we give thanks, for Your name is near. We recount Your wondrous deeds.” Psalm 75:1 ESV
Quick encouragement, Beth…don’t assume the drop off are all people who have stopped memorizing. I have been terrible at posting but I am on my 5th scripture and don’t plan to stop! Thank you so much for the encouragement.
Fullerton, CA
“The world and it’s desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” -1 John 2:17 (NIV)
Lyn, Casey, IL:
Dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.
Colossians 3:12 The Message
Valerie, Farmington
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. NIV
How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Ps 119:103 NLT
Carol, Arlington, TX
“Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will
grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be
destroyed.” Isaiah 55:13
Eileen
Lompoc,CA
Psalm 139:14
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made”
Amy – Custer, SD
“I lift up my eyes to the hills –
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121: 1-2 NIV
Erin – Chippewa Falls WI
“One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”
Psalm 27:4 NIV
Leverett, MA
If we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection.
Roamans 6:5 NIV