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!
Judy, Oswego, NY
Colossians 4:2 (NIV)
Devote yourself to prayer being watchful and thankful.
And just for grins, adding the Judges 5:21b along to it!
Becky, Chattanooga, TN
“For you are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”
Psalm 32:7 NIV
Sarah, Eagan, Minnesota
Psalm 38:9
You know what I long for Lord; you hear my every sign.
Come quickly to help me, O Lord my savior.
Jamie, Union Center:
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
Kacie, Fayetteville, AR
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
Philippians 4:8 NASB
March on, my soul; be strong!
1 Timothy 4:10 ESV
Stephanie, Pawleys Island, SC
Barbara, Jacksonville, FL: So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me.”. Hebrews 13:6. NIV
Loretta from Bloomfield, NJ
2 Corinthians 1 (3-5)NIV
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
Joni, Port Neches. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139: 13-14, NIV
Julie Eden, Texas
Psalm 86:11 New Life Bible
Teach me Your way, O Lord. I will walk in Your truth. May my heart fear Your Name.
Melanie – San Antonio, TX
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
Shannon
Richmond, KY
He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us.
2 Corinthians 1:10
NIV
Kayla
Cleveland
I beseech you therefore brethen by the mercies of God,that you present your bodies a living sacrifice,holy, acceptable to God,which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1 NKJV
Jill, Portland, OR
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – Colossians 3:17 NIV
Naomi in Colorado Springs:
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me, Psalm 51:10 NIV
Laura from Canton MI:
Psalm 36:7 ESV
How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
Praise His name!
Becky, Plantersville, TX
“And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:18 (NLT)
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
Chicago suburb
The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions.
Deut 29:29
Judy, Tehachapi Psalm 5:11-12
11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread your protection over them,
that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
12 For you bless the godly, O Lord;
you surround them with your shield of love.
(New Living Translation)
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Psalm 143: 8 (English Standard Version)
Barb * St Cloud, MN * Ephesians 3:20-21 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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
“Do not be quick with your mouth,
do not be hasty in your heart
to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
and you are on earth,
so let your words be few.”
Ecc. 5:2 NIV
Laura, Beloit, Ohio 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be Joyful always: pray continually: give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus!
Valerie, Fultondale, AL
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
Colossians 3:15 NIV
Psalms 91:5-6
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
NIV
Eleanor
Memphis, TN
Karla Williamson~Sedro-Woolley~I Corinthians 13:6-8~HCSB
(Love)finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, LOVE NEVER FAILS.
“God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 NIV
Blessed from Dallas:
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 4… NIV
Rhonda, SC: 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 NIV
Gretta, Hanceville ~ “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 NIV
Paddy
St Simons Island, GA
You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in You,
whose thoughts are fixed on You. Isaiah 26:3 NLT
Valerie
Sparks, Nevada
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again – my Savior and my God! Psalm 42:11 NLT
“This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”
Titus 3:8 NIV
A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back. Proverbs 29:11
Nancy, Overland Park, Kansas
PS–Thanks to Jeremy Camp for posting this verse on his FB page yesterday — just what I needed at just the right time!
Ruth – Westerville, OH
Psalm 62:5-7
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
NIV
Sarah, MA
He who answers before listening — that is his folly and his shame.
Proverbs 18:13 NIV
Romans 12:2 KJV
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is good, and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Kay, Sheridan
Look at the nations and watch-and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not beleive, even if you were told.
Habakkuk 1:5 NIV
Beverly, Tupelo, MS.
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 1 Peter 2:11 NIV
Jessica, Katy, Tx
‘And the Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear, or be dismayed.’ Deuteronomy 31:8 NASB
Lauren from Spartanburg, SC. Psalm 51:10-12 (NIV) Create in me a pure heart, o God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.
Donna, DFW area, TX
Isaiah 44:3 NIV
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring and my blessing on your descendants.
Deidra – Waynesboro, MS
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! Isaiah 30:18
Hi Beth,
I was so excited to post my scripture that I did not read your post until now. I want this to be my scripture for March 1st: I LOVE IT!
Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
I’ll save Ephesians 6:12 for March 15th. Thank you!!
Sharon in Titanyen, Haiti
Kaycee, Cabot: “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I praise Him with my song.” Psalm 28:7 Holman Christian Standard Bible
Sharae from Emporia, KS
Psalm 19:13
Keep your servant from willful sins;
May they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless,
Innocent of great transgression. (NIV)
[Because]
Romans 8:37
In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (NIV)
Tara, Colorado Springs:
She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. (1 Samuel 1:18, NIV)
Melle , Waco,
Joshua 1:6;9
6) Be strong and courageous because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 9) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord you God will be with you wherever you go.