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!
Kim, New Port Richey, Florida
“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 ESV
Arlet, Fircrest, WA 2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB
And He has said to me “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”
Macey, Whidbey Island WA, 2 Samuel 15:22 “Go ahead, march on.”
Jennifer, Fairfax VA
Psalm 68:9-11 NIV
You gave abundant showers, O God;
you refreshed your weary inheritance.
Your people settled in it,
and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor.
The Lord announces the word,
and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng
Vicki, Springfield. Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him. Palms 4:3 NIV
Laurie, New Hope VA. “Do not be afraid of them; The Lord Your God himself will fight for you.” Deuteronomy 3:22 (NIV)
Kayra, Hazlehurst MS
“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land”
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT)
Tina, Cincinnati: “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:5 (NIV)
Cindy,Alton NH The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. Proverbs 19:11 KJV BIBLE
Janell–Frisco, TX–“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. Gal 1:10 NIV
Kim Arlington, VA March on, my soul; be strong!
Judges 5:21 NIV (exactly what I need right now)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
Carmen, Knoxville
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Ashley, Huntsville, AL:
“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
Lanie, Georgia, Charm is deceitful and beauty in vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. NAS
Tamara, Upland
And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. This is the new, life-giving way that Christ has opened up for us through the sacred curtain, by means of His death for us. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s people, let us go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting Him. For our evil consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:19-22 (NLT)
Naomi, Acworth, GA
“March on my soul, be strong.” Judges 5:21 NIV
Madge, Marietta, GA
“March on my soul, be strong.” Judges 5:21 NIV
Jaye, Keller, TX
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
James 1:19-20 (NIV)
Vicky, Germantown, TN
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea. Psalm 46:1-2 (ESV)
Carrie
Burnt Hills, NY
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have the divine power to demolish strongholds.
2 Corinthians 10:4, NIV
Teach me Oh Lord the way of Your statutes and I shall observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law and keep it with all my heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments for I delight in it. – Psalm 119:33-35 (NASB)
Katherine, The Colony, TX
“Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Php 4:6-7
Debi, Alva, Florida
I Timothy 6:6 KJV
Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
Carrie, Jupiter, FL
2 Cor. 4:6-7 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. KJV
Melissa, Naju, South Korea
And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be His servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast to my covenent, these I will bring to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offereings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my alter, for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.
Isaiah 56:6-7 ESV
Carla
Corryton,Tn
Proverbs 18:21 NIV
“The tongue had the power of life and death and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Elizabeth Jena,La
Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ
Galatians 6:2
Pat, Kansas
March on, my soul; be strong.
Judges 5:21B NIV
JennLee, Perfect Austin, TX
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
-Acts 17:26-27, NIV 1984
Jayma, Ft. Wayne IN
Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. And God’s peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 GNT
Joyce Ellis
Ooltewah, TN
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13(NIV)
Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you res. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. kjv
Emily, Spring Lake
JAMES 2:17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
Libby
Dallas, TX
Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone. Col 4:6 NLT
Glory
Mt. Enterprise, 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)
Laura Centerline, Mi NIV 2Cor10:5
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.
Kelli
Fort Gratiot, MI
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
Heather- Lansing, MI- I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. Psalm 34:4-5
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelation 19:16 KJV
Karen, Lynnwood, WA – “The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7 (NLT)
Cheryl, Springfield, IL “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 NIV
“I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.”
~Job 23:12(NIV)
#SSMT-5
Karen K. (Illinois) —
“The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions.”
Deuteronomy 29:29 NLT
Jane, Houston TX
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, ackowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5+6 (NIV)
Anne, Johnson City, TN. Ps. 68:7-11 (ESV)
I love these verses! I couldn’t abbreviate.
O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, (Selah) 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. The Lord gives the word; the women who announce the news are a great host.
Soorin
Eugene, OR
Isaiah 43:18-19
“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.” (NIV)
Sue, Kingsport, TN. March on, my soul; be strong!
Judges 5:21b
Lisa, Rainbow City. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Lisha – Texas:
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.
Revelation 4:11 NIV