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!
Debra, Dahlgren, IL
“March on, my soul; be strong!
Judges 5:21b NIV
Jaime, Colorado Springs, CO: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” Psalm 51:10, NIV
“If you cannot do even the little things, then why worry about the big things?”
~ Luke 12:26(NCV)
Bobbie Jo
San Angelo, TX
Marian, Blackshear, GA
When I said, “My foot is slipping,” Your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought joy to my soul.
Psalm 94:18-19 NIV
Psalm 84:5 ESV
“Blessed are those whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.” (I chose this verse because I’m going to Israel in June!)
Melissa, Lino Lakes ~ “We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. Job is an example of a man who endured patiently. From his experience we see how the Lord’s plan finally ended in good, for he is full of tenderness and mercy.” James 5:11 NLT
Lily, Oklahoma – Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 NIV
Jenn, Katy, TX: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
John 15:13 NIV
Marty ~ Mobile, AL
Judges 5:21b NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
“We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield.” Psalms 33:20 NLT
Brenda Longmont, CO
Suzy, Wheelersburg, OH “The God of Peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” NIV
DeeDee
Houston,Tx
It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.
Matt 15:11
NLT
Liz, Overland Park, KS – “… the joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Neh.8:10 (ESV)
Hannah, Natchitoches: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8, NIV
Linda, OFallon, IL
Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments.
Deuteronomy 7:9 NAS
Carrie Beth, Frankfort, He has told you men what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: Only to act justly, to love faithfulness and to walk humbly with your God. Mich 6:8 HCSB
Lisa C, Calgary
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Phillipians 4:6 (NIV)
Kristin, Carlsbad, CA
The idols of the nations are silver and gold made by the hands of men.
Psa. 135:15 (NIV)
Jeanene, Newnan, Georgia
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Sue, Greenwood, In
Hatred stirs up conflicts, but love covers all offenses. Proverbs 10:12 HCSB
“Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 2 Chronicles 20:15
Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?”
2 Samuel 7:18 (ESV)-from the “David” study this week. 🙂
Shannon
Katy, Texas
Suzanne, Tucson, AZ
“The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”
-Romans 8:6 NIV
Jennifer, Portsmouth, VA: “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” – Isaiah 12:2, NIV
Right after I posted my verse I saw yours and I wish I had picked it too! Thanks for the verse it touched my heart today 🙂
Louisa, Austin
“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who DAILY bears our burdens. Selah” Psalm 68:19 NIV
Arin
Wichita KS
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. NIV
Maxie,Montgomery,AL
“I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” Isaiah 46:10 NIV
“You must go to everyone I sent you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them for I am with you and will rescue you” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 1:7b-8 NIV
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17
Jamie H.
Birmingham, AL
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
Alycia, Dallas. “For I can do everything through Christ, Who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 NASB
Susan
England, U.K.
Erin, Bothell, WA: “But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 NRSV
Stephanie, Hampton, VA: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)
Marilyn, Mission Viejo, CA
Psalms 62:5-6 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.
Sondra, Christiansburg, “This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” Isaiah 48:17, NIV
Sue, Carmel, “The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble” Proverbs 21:23 NIV
Rebecca, Dallas, Texas: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
Mari, Raleigh, NC
“The Lord is with you when you are with hi,. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.” 2 Chronicles 15:2
Jessica, Alabama.
Psalm 19:14 (New American Standard Bible)
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight,O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.
Lisa: Hattiesburg, MS
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Jenn, Stockton, CA. “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
Becky
Brentwood TN
Jermiah 33:3
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and
unsearchable things you do not know.
NIV
Troy, OH
Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.
Isaiah 26:8 NIV
Susie, Longwood, Florida
“Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2 NIV
So want to use one Beth suggested but already had this one chosen and written in my spiral. Don’t know why or where it came from but it’s already in there. Think I better leave it and hope I don’t get “booted” out because I don’t have the translation. I don’t even remember writing it in there so the Holy Spirit must be working in me and these scriptures…..
Lisa Curtis, Jackson, Missouri
I can be sure that God will take care of everything I need, His generosity exceeding even mine in the glory that pours from Jesus. Philippians 4:19
I must have put the word “I” in there for a reason. WOW.
Renee, Calgary, Canada
“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”
Eph 3:20-21 NIV
Beth S. Mankato, MN
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
Esto es lo que pido en oración: que el amor de ustedes abunde cada vez más en conocimiento y en buen juicio, para que disciernan lo que es mejor, y sean puros e irreprochables para el día de Cristo,
Filipenses 1:9-10 NVI
Dana
Flower Mound, TX
Proverbs 5:21 (NLT)
For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes.
Caitlin, Omaha
“Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV