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!
“You are My servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you. Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:9b-10
NAS
Carolyn, Wheaton
Sarah, Newburgh, IN:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Danville, CA
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Psalms 119:11 NIV
Jenifer – Jacksonville, AL
Isaiah 25:1 NIV
“LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.”
ashley e
Huntsville, al
Matthew 7:1-3 ESV
Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
Janean, Lakeville: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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)
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV
Stephanie Techau
Cynthiana, Ky
Lee, Lexington
Finally, brothers, 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
Better late than never…
Kristen, Nashville
“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” Romans 4:20-21 NIV
Tammy – Lexington, NC
II Corinthians 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of this world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Elizabeth, Haleigh, and Isabel, Midland
Judges 5:21b. NIV
March on, my soul; be strong!
Sarah, West Monroe, La “Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desires of our hearts.” Isaiah 26:8 (NIV)
Jo, Fremont, CA
“When he has brought out all his own,
he goes on ahead of them,
and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”
John 10:4 NIV
Murphy, NC
James 1:19&20 NIV
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Soozi, Houston, TX
Ps.103:11-12 (NET)
For as the skies are high above the earth, so h is loyal love towers over his faithful followers. As far as the eastern horizon is from the west, so he removes the guilt of our rebellious actions from us.
Yvonne, Sevierville, TN. “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. Colossians 1:17-18 NIV
Tina; Mason, OH
Does not my word burn like fire? Says the LORD. Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a Rock to pieces?
Jer. 23:29 NLT
erie, pa
for then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32
Denise, Mishawaka:
For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 NET
Donna, KC: You hem me in behind and before you have laid your hand upon me.
Psalm 139:5
NIV
Ramona, Medina, Ohio
Matthew 5:8 (NIV)
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Kernersville, NC Ephesians 4:2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. NLT
Emily, Potomac, MD.
“March on, my soul; be strong!”
Judges 5:21b (NIV)
Lisa, Fredericktown, OH “The Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the ways you went until you came to this place.” Deuteronomy 1:31, NIV
Tammie, Chester, VA
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength”(NIV)
Amy, St. Augustine FL: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”–Hebrews 11:1-NIV
Becky, Douglas,WY: “…for I know that through your prayers and the help given me by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.” Philippians 1:19
Rosa, Houston,TX “…for I know that through your prayers and the help given me by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.” Philippians 1:19
Belinda, Nacogdoches, TX
Phillipians 4:12-13 (NIV)
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Emily D, Portsmouth, England
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, James 1v19 (NIV)
Kristi Rogersville, TN
Proverbs 31:26 NKJV
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
Karen, Saskatoon, SK
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and was seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2, NIV
Karen, Livermore, CA John 14:13 NIV
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
On His robe and on His thigh, He has this name written:
KING OF KINGS
AND
LORD OF LORDS.
Revelation 19:16 NIV
Cindy, Henrietta, TX
I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me.
Phillipians 4:13 NKJV
McKenna, Henrietta, TX
Lezlie Steiner Eagan, MN
Psalm 5:4-5 (NLT)
“O God,you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked. Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence. For you hate all who do evil.”
Cassandra – Raleigh NC
Isaiah 20:18 NLT
So the LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.
1 John 3:18
Dear Children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and truth.
Anita – Lynchburg VA
Isaiah 20:18
The LORD longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.
Judy – Cottageville WV
Isaiah 20:18 NLT
So the LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.
Valerie, Nashville, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” Colossians 3:23-24 (NASB)
Psalm 25:4-6 NLT
Show me the path where I should walk, O LORD; point out the right road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for your are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
Nichole
Marion, IA
Psalm 63:7 NIV
Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
Loveland, OH;
Psalm 91:1 (NIV)
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty”
Cathy, San Bernardino, CA
March on, my soul; be strong!
Judges 5:21b (NIV)
Lynn, Rock Hill, SC
“being confident of this, that HE who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 NIV
Sorry so late, had trouble deciding. 🙂
Kelly, Lewisville, TX – “Go ahead, march on.” II Samuel 15:22 NIV
For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper, And from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and a bulwark. Ps 91 : 3-4 NAS
So sorry this is late. I was really sick last week.
“so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything” Eph.5:24
Spring, TX
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
NIV