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!
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
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 transends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything isexcellent or praiseworthy think about such things.
Whatever you have learned or heard orrecieved from me, or seen in me – put itinto practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:4-9
Kristi, OKC
“You are from God, dear children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 New American Standard
Danell from Sutherlin, Or
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” NIV
Sabrina; Mobile, Alabama:
James 3:17 (NET Bible): “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical.”
Kim, Franklinton:
Why spend your money on something that is not real food? Why work for something that doesn’t really satisfy you? Listen closely to me, and you will eat what is good; your soul will enjoy the rich food that satisfies. Isaiah 55:2 NCV
Liz
Okemos, MI
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NIV)
Harmony from TX
“In your presense there is fullness of joy.” Psalm 16:11 NRSV
I will be the same until your old age, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will bear and save you.
Is. 46:4
James 4:7 NIV
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Christina
Royse City, Texas
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 (NIV – UK)
Wendy, Rock Island, IL
Hi Ladies! Sorry for the delay in posting my verse for the 1st. There was a death in the family and I’m just now getting back to my “normal” routine. So here’s my verse…
“Forget about what’s happened, don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a new road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 / The Message
Laura- Mount Juliet, TN Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. Ps 16:5 NIV
HIllary, Auburn
The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.
– Psalm 145:15 NKJV
Proverbs 16:9
NKJV
A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
Wendy, Modesto, 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
I am so excited to be doing this scripture memory challenge and I am excited about how many women are doing this including many friends of mine. I get most of my verses from looking at verses other women are memorizing and choosing one that is right at that time. I then write the name and city of the other woman who is memorizing this scripture and commit to pray for her throughout the year. Wonder if I will meet any of them is Houston. Thank you Beth
Denise, Houston:
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Luke 11:13
Kara
Lancaster, PA
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord, my God, I will give you thanks forever.
Psalm 30:11-12 NLT
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!!
“DO NOT let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me.”
John 14:1 Amplified Bible
Judy, Virginia
Cherise, Odessa, TX. ~ “There is no one Holy like the the Lord; there is no one besides you, there is no Rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2:2 NIV
Susan, Katy, TX
“….for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”
Phil 4:11b
This is one of my favorite “March!” stories from the Bible. Worth memorizing!
(“If God is saying go ahead, then GO.AHEAD.”)
Lise, Indianapolis
2 Kings 7:3-9 (NIV-UK)
3 Now there were four men with leprosy at the entrance of the city gate. They said to each other, Why stay here until we die? 4 If we say, ‘We’ll go into the city’— the famine is there, and we will die. And if we stay here, we will die. So let’s go over to the camp of the Arameans and surrender. If they spare us, we live; if they kill us, then we die.
5 At dusk they got up and went to the camp of the Arameans. When they reached the edge of the camp, not a man was there, 6 for the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a great army, so that they said to one another, Look, the king of Israel has hired the Hittite and Egyptian kings to attack us! 7 So they got up and fled in the dusk and abandoned their tents and their horses and donkeys. They left the camp as it was and ran for their lives.
8 The men who had leprosy reached the edge of the camp and entered one of the tents. They ate and drank, and carried away silver, gold and clothes, and went off and hid them. They returned and entered another tent and took some things from it and hid them also. 9 Then they said to each other, We’re not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. If we wait until daylight, punishment will overtake us. Let’s go at once and report this to the royal palace.
Lissa from Fort Worth
There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life- fear of death, fear of judgment- is one not yet fully formed in love.
1 John 4:18 MSG
(adding to last time’s):
“Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the Lord swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heaven’s are above the earth.”
Deuteronomy 11:20-21
Randa-Newcastle, OK:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23. NIV.
Melodie, Orlando, FL
The Message – 1 Peter 5:11
He gets the last word; yes, he does.
Deborah/Broken Arrow/Tulsa,OK 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 4:10
Megan
Blue Springs, mo
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Beverly, Prosper, TX
Isaiah 30:18
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
(NIV)
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” Ephesians 3:20 NIV
Katy, TX
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Rebecca, College Station
March on, my soul; be strong. Judges 4:21b
Debbie, Fuquay-Varina, NC
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
Proverbs 31:25 (NIV)
I love this one; it is a great reminder that thru Him I can carry on. I hope you don’t mind if I commandeer it for my next memory verse.
Jade in Absarokee Montana
“In my distress I called to the LORD;
I called out to my God.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came to his ears.
2 Sam 22:7 NIV
Macy in Absarokee Montana
“In my distress I called to the LORD;
I called out to my God.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came to his ears.
2 Sam 22:7 NIV
Julie in Absarokee Montana
The Lord is just in all his actions,
and exhibits love in all he does.
Ps 145:17 NET
Meredith, Trabuco Canyon, CA
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14 (NIV)
tHE lORD IS CLOSE TO THE BROKEN HEARTED AND SAVES THOSE WHO ARE CRUSHED IN SPIRIT. Psalms 34:18 NIV
Jennifer in Acworth, GA
Sow for yourselves righteousness reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground;
for it is time to seek the Lord, until He comes and showers righteousness on you.
Hosea 10:12 NIV
Stephanie, Minneapolis, MN
“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” NIV
Kay, Round Rock – Deuteronomy 6:8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. NIV
LaGrange, GA.
and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Eph. 6:15 NIV
Blaine, MN
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is; that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” NASB
Late but still with you and going stong on God’s power to memorize! Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.EPH 4:26-27 YES by memory!!! Ready for #6
Brooke Buffington
French Lick, IN
Kay, Houston: I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. Psalms 119:10 NIV
I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
Genesis 17:7 NIV
Moyock, NC
Wilson, TX
As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverence and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 5:11 NIV
Late… but not forgotten! 🙂
Becky, Portland, OR.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NKV
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:4-5
Jessica Secrest
Ft Irwin, CA
(My father-in-law died suddenly and we had to make a whirlwind trip to Nebraska last week. My verse for March 1 is late, but here it is! My daughter’s will follow. Same reason for being late as me.)
Shelly, Fort Worth, TX
Psalm 63:5 (NIV) – My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise You.