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!
Kristen, Austin, TX
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 41:10, NIV
Wendy, Newmarket ON Canada: “The Lord God has give Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to hear as the learned.” Isaiah 50:4, NKJV
Jennifer, Otisville, MI
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:2-3 NIV
Danna
Atlanta, TX.
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
Shannon Buda,TX
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Prov 16:3 NIV
Rosalye
Vicksburg, MS
The LORD confides in those who fear Him;
He makes His covenant known to them.
Psalm 25:14 NIV
Vicky-Enders
Romans 11:29 The Message
God’s gifts and God’s call are under full warranty—never canceled, never rescinded.
Robin, Alexandria, VA: Judges 5:21b (NIV). “March on, my soul; be strong!”
Tina Morris, Roxboro NC
Dear Children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your heart. 1 John 5:21 NLT
Joy, Tri-Cities: “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17, NIV
Carrie, Eure NC
All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. 2Timothy 3:16 (NLT)
Mischia, Morganton,North Carolina
“Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time and he walked God.”
Genesis 6:9b (NIV)
Jennifer, Huntsville: [She] will have no fear of bad news; [her] heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. – Psalm 112:7, NIV
Diana Locust Grove GA
Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
NEEDED THIS!!!!
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakuk 3: 17-18 (NIV)
“You came near me when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.” O, Lord, you took up my case; you redeemed my life.”
Lamentations 3:57-58 (NIV)
Victoria, CONWAY AR
Joani & Maddie – Jacksonville, FL – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take”. ~ Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
Kiri, Doncaster, England
Therefore we do not lose heart, though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieveing for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is tmeporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Romans 4:16-18 NIV
Victoria, Fort Worth, “And there are also many other things which Jesus did. If they should all be recorded one by one in detail, I suppose that even the world itself could not have room for the books to be written!” John 21:25 Amplified
Are you the Spice Girls Victoria Beckham???
Robin, Indialantic FL
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Colossians 4:6 NIV
Floyds Knobs, IN
The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Candra, from Marietta, GA: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God…” Phil 4:6 NKJV
not romans oops 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 I am starting well with this one lol
I truly needed to hear the message of marching today. And, how about Judges 5:21?! I will be memorizing and speaking that one over myself regularly during this season I find myself in. Thank you! Here’s my verse:
Chrystie C
Piedmont, SC
“In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace which he has freely given us in the one he loves. In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” Ephesians 1:5-8 NIV
LeAnne, Albertville. “…acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts.” 1 Chronicles 28:9 NIV
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 ESV
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18 NIV
Abby, El Campo, Texas
March on, my soul; be strong!
Judges 5:21b (NIV)
Tiffany, Houston Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7 NIV
Karen, Shelby Twp., MI
But as for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.
My mouth will tell of your righteousness,
of your salvation all day long,
though I know not its measure.
Psalm 71:14-15 NIV
“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 (NIV)
Kathleen
Bellmore, LI, NY
“But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13
The Message
Holly
Geita, Tanzania
Sara-Great Bend, KS
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ…
Philippians 1:9-10 NIV
Annita, Haleyville, AL ” The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights,” Habakkuk 3:19 NIV
Tammy – Paducah, KY
For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Psalm 91:11
The Lord announces the word,
and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng:
Psalm 68:11 NIV
Rosalee, Oklahoma City
“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. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV
Debbie
Cameron,MO
March ON, my SOUL: be STRONG!
Judges 5:21b NIV
Allison Mullins, San Antonio, Texas
Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 1 Tim 4:12 (NLT)
Hill, Los Angeles “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.” Psalm 73:23-24 NIV
Abby, Knoxville
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3
I need some perfect peace as I choose to trust the Lord. How about you?
Diana Yarborough, Gallatin, TN
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Phil 2:3 NIV
Kathy, Atlanta, GA:
One thing I have asked of the Lord, that I will seek after:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
Psalm 27:4 ESV
Donna; Birmingham, AL
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
…“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Lacey, Leonard TX
“I will not forget you. See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” Isaiah 49:16 NIV
Jennifer, Boston, Ma. “Do not be afraid, for you will not be put to shame; don’t be humiliated, for you will not be disgraced. For you will forget the shame of your youth, and no longer remember the disgrace of your widowhood.” Isaiah 54.4 HCSB
Renee, Roanoke VA: “I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.” Isaiah 42:8 NIV
“The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.” Prov. 29:25 The Message
Sheilah – Melbourne, FL
Jeremiah 33:2-3 (New International Version, ©2010)
2 “This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it—the LORD is his name: 3 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’
Sarah-Wichita Falls, TX
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. Proverbs 29:11 NIV