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!
Benton, AR
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:12 NIV
paula, friendswood tx,
James 1:20 (New Living Translation)
Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
Phil 4:8 (NIV)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
Pam/Benton, AR
“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.” -Jeremiah 29:11
Ginger, Charlotte, NC Isaiah 41:13 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. NIV
Debbie, RAF Mildenhall, “Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the LORD rather than for people.” Colossians 3:23, NLT
Kim, Laguna Niguel, CA “March on, my soul; be strong.” (NIV)
Beth – Oak Grove, La
“Glory ye in His holy name; let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD” (Psalm 105:3) KJV
Elizabeth, San Clemente, CA
“Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.” Psalm 119:35-36 NIV
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
The Lord came and stood there,calling as at the other times, “Samuel,Samuel!” Then Samuel said “Speak, for your servant is listening.”1Samuel 3:10
Alicia, Gulfport
Phil 4:4 NIV
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Tess
Cartersville, GA
Psalm 34:5 NIV
“Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame”
Proverbs 3:27 “Do not withhold good from those who need it, when you have the ability to help.”
Paula, Maine
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow by the power of the Holy Spirit. NIV
columbus, ohio Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways. Proverbs 28:6
Tiffany, Nampa, ID: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT
Once God has spoken
Twice I have heard this
That power belongs to God
Psalm 62:10 NAS
Krista, Morgantown WV
“For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything He does.” Psalm 33:4 NLT
Shannon, Chino, 1 Peter 4:12-13. “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.”. NIV
Jenifer B.
Frisco, Texas
“March on , my soul; be strong!”
Judges 5:21b NIV
Dawn, Falmouth, KY
2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
Jeni Majors, Prescott, AZ –
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 ESV
Michelle, Columbus, OH
Since these are short verses, I am including these two:
“Go ahead, march on.”
2 Samuel 15:22, NIV
“March on my soul; be strong!”
Judges 5:21b, NIV
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and 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. (NIV)
Beverly, Ironton OH: Romans 14:23 (NKJ)
But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
Grace, Circleville OH: Psalm 23:1-3 (NKJ)
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Kimberly, Circleville OH: 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV) (Must repeat two verses that I haven’t mastered yet.)
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
“Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the LORD our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments.” 1 Kings 8:61, ESV
–Tita in Bear, Delaware
2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
Exodus 20:2 NKJV
Abby Corvallis OR
If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law,even his prayers are detestable. Proverbs 28:9 NIV
Stefanie Parrish, FL
Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16
Donna, Meridian, ID: “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1Corinthians 13:6-7 (NIV)
Teri, Boise ID.
“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. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:17-18
Celeste, Thompson’s Station, Tennessee: Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.
Phil. 4:6 (NLT)
Lisa Ray, Trout, LA
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5 NIV
The end of all things in near. Therefore be clear minded and self-contolled so that you can pray. NIV I Peter 4:7
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1
Michelle, Bossier City
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Dixie, in Trophy Club, Texas:
The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.
Exodus 14:14
New American Standard
Abby Webb
Alice, TX
“And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death” – Revelation 12:11 (New American Standard)
Teresa, Peoria, IL
Hebrews 2:11, NIV “Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.”
Donna Kincer- Houston, TX
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalms 37:4 NIV
Susie Webb
Alice, TX
“And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death” – Revelation 12:11 (New American Standard)
“And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.” Revelation 12:11 (NAS)
Rebecca, Houston
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:25-26 (NIV)
Lisa Elmhurst, IL
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3
“And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.” Revelation 12:11 (NAS)
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. NIV I peter 4:7
Jennifer, Cape Girardeau, the Message : “and that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open His door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand–out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.” Romans 5:2
Greta, Albuquerque Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
Nancy
Versailles, Ky
It is G week
Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. -NIV