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!
Harriett St. Albert Alberta
MARCH on my soul;be Strong!
Judges 5:21b NIV
Cessie, Bakersfield, CA
“In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” I Peter 3:15
Crystal, Munford, TN
Continuing to memorize 2 Chronicles 20, this is vs 8 (NIV):
They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying,
Rachel
Watseka, IL
Whoever believes will not be in haste.
Isaiah 28:16
ESV
Sarah Gibbs Bowling Green KY
James 1:2-3 (HCSB)
2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, (A) 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
Amanda Grasza, Calgary, Alberta
Yes, Lord ,walking in the way of your laws,
we wait for you;
Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.
Isaish 26:8 NIV
Kendell, Omaha, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” Proverbs 14:30, NIV
Linda, Olathe, KS Romans 8:6 (Contemporary English Version) “ If our minds are ruled by our desires, we will die. But if our minds are ruled by the Spirit, we will have life and peace.”
Becky in Norfolk: Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
Jillian, Olathe,KS Psalm 16:6 (ESV) “ The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.”
Vickie, Decatur Texas
“My strength and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:26 NAS
Theresa
Pace, Florida
Isaiah 40:26 (NIV)
“Lift your eyes to the heavens: who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one, and call them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.”
Kristin, Burwell, UK
“Choose to love the LORD your God and to obey him and commit yourself to him, for he is your life.”
Deut. 30:20a (NLT)
Gina, Kosciusko, MS
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:5-7
Sandy Shiflett- Deming, NM
For we walk by faith and not by sight. 2 cor. 5: 7 NKJV
Dianne, Fairfield, CA – And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. – Jeremiah 29:13 (NASB)
“Ah! Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power ad by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for you.”
Jeremiah 32:17, ESV
Shana, St. Paul, Minnesota
“Let your gentleness be evident to all.” {Philippians 4.5a NIV}
Rene, Slaves, obey your masters here on earth with fear and respect and from a sincere heart, just as you obey Christ. Ephesians 6:5
Royse City, Texas
Jennifer W, Phoenix, AZ
But as for the seed that landed on good soil, these are the ones who after hearing the word, cling to it with an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with steadfast endurance. Luke 8:15 NET Bible
Tina Marie, Gig Harbor, WA
Isaiah 61:1a
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
Because the Lord has anointed me
To bring good news to the afflicted
NASB
“Carry each other’s burdens,and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2, NIV
Baileigh, Spartanburg, SC
“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
Debbie B, Abingdon, VA
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.
Isaiah 43: 1b NIV
Susan, Portland, Or
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands.”
Psalm 90:17
last month armed myself with strength from 2 Sam 22. This month arming myself with promises from Isaiah 54:
“Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who never were in labor; for more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.” Isaiah 54: 1 NIV
Knoxville, TN
Brittany, Keller, TX
2 Corinthians 4:7 ESV
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
Judy Littleton NC
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:6 (NIV)
Denise, Grovetown, GA~ She seeks wool and flax and works with willing hands. Proverbs 31:13
Lichelle, Austin
Is 40:31 NIV
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wingsl like eagles; they will run and not grow weary and they will walk and not grow faint.
Beth thank you for Is 42:13… I will memorize that one too! I love it!
Blessings on your day!
English Standard Version!
Minnesota
“Give, and it will be given to you,”
Luke 6:38 NKJV
Megan, Covington, WA
You gave abundant showers, O God;
You refreshed Your weary inheritance.
Your people settled in it,
and from Your bounty, God, You provided for the poor.
The Lord announces the word,
and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng.
Psalm 68:9-11
*** So excited to see you in Seatle Next weekend….
a mighty throng indeed will be present… ***
Marsha, Tucson
I have seen You in the sanctuary
and beheld Your power and Your Glory
Psalm 63:2 NIV
Jennifer, New Orleans, “Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentation 3:22-23 NIV
Stacy, Big Lake, MN: Continue working on Phil 2:5-7 ESV
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Jessica Leavenworth,IN
NIV Proverbs 31:25
I am clothed with strength and dignity, I will laugh at the days to come!!!
Jani, Agate, CO
Deuteronomy 4:39 (NIV) – Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.
Lee, Leola PA Keeping the same from last time as didn’t really get it down yet.
“Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.
Mark 12:29b-31 NIV
Rachel, Frankfort, IL
“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” Psalm 63:3-4 NIV
Leslie Currie, NC
Judges 5:21b NIV
Shannon, Birmingham, AL
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Philippians 2:3-4 NIV
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength”. Mark 12:30
Debbie, Fort Thomas, KY
He must become greater; I must become less.
John 3:30 (NIV)
Anna, Little Elm, TX
“Do not let this book of Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 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 1:8-9 (NIV)
Ephesians 6:18 NIV
And pray in the spirit on all occassions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Karessa, Peoria, IL: For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. Romans 6:6 NIV
Melissa, Atlanta:
“So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”
~1 Peter 4:19, NIV
April Lopez, BonneyLake,Wa
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Paige, Overland Park, KS
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your advesary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5: 6-8 (ESV)