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!
James 3:13 (NIV)
Who is wise among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds dome in humility that comes from wisdom.
Diane, West Melbourne, FL I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is there anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27 NIV
“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
Psalm 9:10, NIV
Charlotte, Hamilton, OH
Romans 4:16 NIV “Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring – not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.”
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5 NIV
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility Ephesians 2:14 NIV
But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, HE gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 NLT
From Houston,
Forget what happened in the past, and do not dwell on events from long ago. I am going to do something new. It is already happening. Don’t you recognize it?
I will clear a way in the desert.
I will make rivers on dry land.
Isaiah 43:18-19 [GWT]
DAWN,OWENSBORO,KY
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.
PHILIPIANS 2:14-15 NIV
Gayle, Dodgeville – March on, my soul: be strong! — Judges 5:21b NIV
Wendy, Vero Beach
Revelation 4:11 (NLT)
“You are worthy, O Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
[As for me] I am poor and needy, yet the Lord takes thought and plans for me. You are my Help and my Deliverer. O my God, do not tarry!
Amplified
Psalm 40:17
Sara from Pierre “He is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation.” Colossians 1:15 Niv
Paula, Birmingham: “Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion. In the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.” Psalm 62:9 ESV
Heidi from Belgium says:
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Revelations 3 v 20 NIV
Lisa H, NC
31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
John 8:31-32 (NASB)
Jaime
Fort Collins, CO
Set a guard, O LORD, over the door of my mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips!
Psalm 141:3 ESV
Rhonda, Trenton, Tx
For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13
I’m changing my verse. This one just tugs at me.
Megan Joy, Calgary AB, Canada – “and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” Psalm 50:15 (NIV)
Stunning
Nikki, Minneapolis, Song of Solomon 2:16, ESV ” My beloved is mine, and I am his. He grazes among the lilies.”
Tomi, Des Moines, IA
“Do not let this Book of the 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
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:18 NIV
Cari~Cedar Rapids, Ia
Carol, San Antonio. “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” Psalm 5:3 NIV
Susan – Clever MO (focusing on “expectation”)
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
And if we know that he hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of him.
I John 5: 14, 15 (NIV)
Stephanie; Lewisburg,OH “There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Prov 12:18 NIV
Kelly, Charlotte, NC
2 Corinthians 4:13 NIV
It is written, “I believed; therefore, I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak
Shara, Somerset, CA Psalm 138:6 NASB
For though the Lord is exalted, yet He regards the lowly
But the haughty He knows from afar.
Anna, Lexington, SC: “Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 (NRSV)
Annette, Toronto ON
That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 9:10 NKJV
Katie ¤ Augusta, Ga: “The Lord is my portion” says my soul “Therefore I have hope in Him” Lam 3:24 (NASB).
Stacey, San Diego, CA
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 (ESV)
Marianna, Clinton, MS. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
-2 Chronicles 7:14
Laura, Beaumont TX
“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.” Galations 2:20 NIV
Emily, Houston.
“LORD my God, I called to you for help,and you healed me.” Ps. 30:2 NIV
Yes, please, Lord!
I will rejoice because of the LORD;
I will be happy because of the God who delivers me!
Habakkuk 3:18 (NET)
Christy, Sherman,
“You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,”
~Psalm 91:5 NIV
Debbie from Westerville, OH
Galations6:9 NIV
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Jane, IL
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
Shelly, Rochester, MN — Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among he nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 NIV
Michele, Weber City, Virginia
I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.
Psalm 119:45 (NIV)
Karen, Springfield, MO: For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 NIV.
Canton, MA: “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:57 NIV
Susan Fisher
San Angelo,TX
Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.
Hebrews 11:1
Brittney, San Angelo. “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NASB
Hollie, Waco, TX
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13 NIV
Jenny – Cedar Rapids – “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 NAS
sharon, marion, illinois
We ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in the knowledge of God. colossians 1:9, 10 ESV
Barb, Ann Arbor
Psalm 27:1 “The LORD is the stronghold of my life–of whom shall I be afraid”.
Jessica, San Diego, CA
“I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the Lord” Hosea 2:20 NLT
Lisa, Glenview: “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it”. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 NIV