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!
.
Trudy, Alberta, Canada.
Isaiah 42:3 (KJV)
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice.
Amanda, White Rock, BC Canada, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” ~Colossians 3:23
Kristen, Denver: ” Lord, teach me what you want me to do, and I will live by your truth.
Teach me to respect you completely.” Psalm 86:11, NCV
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a RIGHT spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 KJV
Arkansas
The Sovereign LORD has given me His words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning He wakens me and opens my understanding to His will. Isaiah 50:4 NLT
But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with an imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is precious.
1 Peter 3:4
Gretchen, Kearney, MO
As for me, I look to the LORD for His help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. Micah 7:7 NLT
Katie, Gig Harbor
O God when You went out before your people, when You marched through the wilderness, the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain,
before God the One of Sinai, before God the God of Israel. Rain in abundance O God You shed abroad; You restored Your inheritance as it languished; Your flock found a dwelling in it, in Your goodness O God You provided for the needy.
Psalm 68:7-10 ESV
Kelly, Kimberly (learning the rest of the verse I started last time)….filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:11 (NIV)
Heather
Lawrence, KS
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. John 4:34 ESV
Charity
Cardiff, Wales
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God”
Psalm 42:1 NIV
Midland, TX
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
Ephesians 1:15-16 (NIV)
March on, my soul; be strong!
Judges 5: 21b
NIV
Thank you Beth, that’s exactly the verse for me…it’s been a long, hard winter…and those words were very refreshing to the soul…march on!!!!!
Loribeth, Rome (here for six months, but really from Houston!) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
(Galatians 5:16-26 ESV)
Deanna, Willmar, MN
Romans 12:12 (Contemporary English Version)
“Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying.”
Beth, Oxford,MS
My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”. Your face LORD, I will seek.
Ps. 27:8. (NIV)
Chrissy, McKinney, TX
23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
James 1:23-25 (New Living Translation)
Julie, Winterville, NC
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11, NIV
Mary, Satellite Beach.
“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”
– James 1:17, NASB
Kristy, Spanaway, WA
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
And he said to the man, the
fear of the Lord-that is wisdom and
to shun evil is understanding.
Job 28:28
Ti-Leigh
Orlando, FL
Bridgett, Pell City, AL
Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
John 16:24 NIV
Ashley
DQ, Illinois,
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” – 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
Cindy, Clarksville,TN: For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self control; and to self control, perseverence; and to perseverence godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8 NIV
Krissi
Monticello, AR
Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.
Phil 2:3
Heather-Dover, DE
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight reign on his tongue, he decevives himself and religion is worthless. James 1:26 NIV
Megan, Charlotte “Cast all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Melissa, Greer, SC: March on, my soul; be strong! Judges 5:21b (NIV)
Valerie Oklahoma
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.” Jeremiah 17:7 NIV
***Wish I lived in Houston and I’d be there tonight for Bible study!*** 🙁
Phyllis, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
I Thess. 5:16,17,18 NIV
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all
circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Lisa, Jacksonville FL
Habakkuk 3:19 ESV
God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.
Megan, Greenwood, IN: “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NIV
Andrea
Woodstock, GA
For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.
Deuteronomy 10:17
NIV
Dorinda, O’Fallon, MO-
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. Isaiah 42:13
Melinda-Atlanta, TX.
“For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” 2 Chron. 16:9a (NASB)
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 1:7-8(NIV)
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
Kim, Warren: “He has showed you what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NIV
Alissa: Florence, SC
“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.” Lamentations 3: 22-23. NIV
Kim B., Clayton, NC
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Walker, LA
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalms 25:5 NIV
Gretchen in Buffalo: “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” Proverbs 19:21
Sarah Lacy from Cypress, Tx. : “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:2-3 NASB
Rachel from Billings
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” -James 1:2-3
Cynthia Fort Worth, TX For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Tara N., Frederick, MD. “Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139:10 NIV
Ashlie, Yukon, OK
” ‘I am allowed to do anything,’ but not everything is helpful. I’m allowed to do anything, but not everything encourages growth.”
1 Corinthians 10:23 GWT
Tiffany, Sandwich, IL
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows.” James 1:17 NIV
Sonja,Archer
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.
Zeph.3:17 NIV
That would be Jeremiah 29:11-13!