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!
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
Ephesians 4:2 (NLT)
Sheri, Nampa ID
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemtion of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”
Romans 8:18-27 niv
Linda, Madison, MS
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all thing God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
I Peter 4:10,11
natalie – millington, TN
col.3:17 (NIV)
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.
Darcy, Northern Virginia.
For the Word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. Psalm 33:4 NIV
(Just started Esther study this week! Can’t wait!)
Joshua 24:15 (Today’s New International Version, ©2005)
15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
Leslie, Apple Valley, MN
(Siestas, I got lost on the dates in January and felt as if I failed in February so I just quit trying…..God gave me a nudge today and Beth another so I’m back and I want to encourage others to jump back in if you’ve missed – don’t let the enemy tell you that you are not welcome because you have missed a verse or two…..grab back His word for you and step into victory)
actually, that should be MARCH (not step)! 🙂
Knoxville ,TN. “A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. “. Proverbs 16:9. NKJV
Laura, Burbank
Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)
Now all glory to God who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
p.s. Today is my third wedding anniversary! Pls. click on my name to learn why this verse is so dear to me
Linda, Bend, OR
Judges 5:21b NIV
March on, my soul, be strong!
Alexander City, AL…Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can 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 forever and ever. Amen! NIV
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Sarah, Little Rock
” ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’ ” Isaiah 55:8,9 NIV
Suzi, Austin TX
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
Glenda, Knoxville, TN
What then shall we say in response to these things? 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? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Romans 8:31-34, NIV
Sarah, Marshfield, MO
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 NIV
Brenda~Hudsonville,MI
March on, my soul; be strong! Judges 5:21b NIV
Donna, Grosse Pointe Shores, MI: “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 1: 18-20 NIV)
Katie, Marion, IA
Exodus 34:6 (NIV)
“And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness”
Shelley, Marietta, MS
“Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:25-26, KJV
Diane, Killeen: “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.” Psalm 39:4 TNIV
Hilary from Langley, BC, Canada:
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him”. 2 Cor. 2:14 (NIV)
Paula, Indianola
The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward apperance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV
Terri, Pennsylvania “and I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,” Ephesians 3:17b – 18 (NIV)
Missy, Tulare, CA
2 Chronicles 16:9a (NIV)
For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
Leslie R, Norwood Young America, MN
“The Lord will work out his plans for my life-
for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
Don’t abandon me, for you made me.”
Ps 138.8 NLT
Michelle Parma, OH
Rash language cuts and maims,
but there is healing in the words of the wise.
Pr. 12:18 The Message
Ashley, Huntsville, AL:
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
-Ephesians 4:29
“Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.” 1 Peter 4: 12-13
The Message
I am still in it! I just never got around to posting my verse 4 on the blog – sorry! For my 5th verse:
Leah, Valencia, CA
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” 1 Tim 6.17 NIV
Amber, Lincolnton NC
“He will protect His godly ones, but the wicked will perish in darkness. No one will succeed by strength alone.” 1 Samuel 2:9, NLT
Janet, Steamboat, NIV 1Cor 13:4-5 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Psalm 62:5-8 NIV
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. Trust in him at all times, O people, pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Atlanta, GA
Jonna, North Hollywood, CA
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.
Erin, Phoenix. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16 NIV
Angela; Covington, GA
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life – in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.” Philippians 2:14-16 NIV
Sharon, Spokane
2 Peter 1:2
May grace and peace (which is perfect well being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity and freedom from fears and agitating passions and moral conflict) be mulitplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (amp)
Ashley, Fort Worth, TX
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:26 (ESV)
Ruth, Odin, IL
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in Him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
– Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV)
(P.S. Thank you for this post about “March,” Beth! I read it on my phone web earlier this morning and have been meditating on different things from Joshua all day. . . truly a fit word of encouragement to my heart!)
Cara, Riverview, FL
Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
thank you for sharing this one. As I logged on I realized I didn’t have one yet and this is perfect for where I am at right now. I just need to march on and get over it 🙂
Aimee, Columbus, OH
Proverbs 3:5&6 NET
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways and he will make your paths straight.
Tricia, Tucson.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than a double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (NIV)
Hilary, Houston, TX
In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and heard me. Psalm 120:1
Pam, Marietta, GA. Ps 16:11 NIV “You have made known to me the path of life; You fill me with joy in Your presence, with pleasures at Your right hand.”
Oshkosh, WI
“Let Thy work appear to Thy servants
And Thy majesty to their children.”
Psalm 90:16 NASB
Aubyn Bauman, Corinth, TX – “Whom have I in heaven but You? I desire You more than anything on Earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.” Psalm 73:25-26 NLT
Beth~
I have just finished the Esther series–the last session states that women grow my in beauty as they age even tho’ the world doesn’t recognize that beauty…thanks for that as in 33 days, I will be 60!!!–I have purchased a pink birthday hat and look forward to “marching” with my Saviour as I get closer to my eternal home.
Love ya~
Linda
PS–I have a grandson named Jackson as well
Ruth, Paducah
After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
1 Peter 5:10 NASB
Stephanie Dacula, GA
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Elizabeth, Richmond, VA
“She will have no fear of bad news; her heart is steadfast , trusting in the Lord. Her heart is secure, she will have no fear; in the end she will look in triumph on her foes.”
Psalm 112:7-8, NIV
Melody Joy King, Scranton, PA
“The LORD your God is in your midst,
A victorious warrior,
He will exult over you with joy,
He will be quiet in His love,
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”
~ Zephaniah 3:17 (NASB)