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!
Michelle Fallston, MD
Psalm 91:5 NKJV
“You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day.”
Tania C., Amarillo, Texas
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Phillippians 4:9 NIV 2010
I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2, NIV Study Bible
Nicole, Portland, OR: Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
Emily – Topeka, Kansas
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV
Hannah;Maryland: “Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. ” ~Psalm 118:25 (KJV)
linda, colorado springs: a heart at peace gives life to the body. proverbs 14:30 (niv)
Cathy, Walton, IN
March on, my soul; be strong!
Judges 5:21b NIV
“Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
James 4:9 NIV
Cheryl aka Teacher’s pet ((heehee))
Hephzibah, Ga.
(continuing this passage)
Impress them upon your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deut. 6:7 NIV
Love you dearly!
Fishers, IN “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Alison, Grand Rapids, MI
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
Garden Ridge, TX
Psalm 139:5 NLT
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Patti, Sarasota
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
James 1:5 (NLT)
Vickie
Russellville
“As for me, this is my covenant with them”, says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever,” says the Lord.
Isaiah 59:21
NIV
Pikeville, TN – “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess His name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:15-16 NIV
March on, my soul; be strong! Judges 5:21 NIV
Debra Gentry Arkansas
Never will I leave you: never will I forsake you
Hebrews 13:5 NIV
March on, my soul; be strong!
Judges 5:21 NIV
Andrea, Roscoe, IL
Rebecca, TX
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
John 8:12, KJV
Cindy,Apex, “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
Adele, Fresno, CA
This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger, for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
James 1:19,20 NASB
Hannah, 12, Princeton, MN
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.
Psalm 23:1-2 NIV
Danielle, Atlanta. “In order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8.4, ESV
Stephanie, Newport Beach, CA
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 9:10 ESV
Bronx,New york
Ps 51;2
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse
me from my sin.
Rebecca, New Kensington, PA: Psalm 68:20 (NIV) Our God is a God who saves;
from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.
Kristi Knoxville, TN Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
Thanks Beth….I needed one to get caught up on! Plus this is a perfect WORD for me right now!
Shannon Costanzo, Kissimmee, Florida
A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way? Proverbs 20:24 (NIV)
Marilyn from Taylor Mill, KY
We are merely moving shadows and all our busy rushing ends in nothing
Psalm 39:6 NLT
Lyndsay, New Castle, IN. “Do not tremble; do not be afraid. Have I not proclaimed from ages past what My purposes are for you? You are My witnesses–is there any other God? No! There is no other Rock–not one!”–Isaiah 44:8
Austin, TX
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14
Lorraine – Modesto, CA
The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.
Jeremiah 17:9-10 NLT
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34 (NIV)
Sheila, Bethesda, MD. My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves. 1 John 3:18-20 (MSG)
Phil 3:14 (NASB) “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
kae, jacksonville
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine…
Eph 3:20, NRSV
Clinton, TN
“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Phil 2:3 (ESV)
veronica-Atlanta Georgia, Beth I love it! my first thought was March for Jesus!! Im gonna go with your short verse idea just cause I like it! Judges 5:21 March on, my soul be strong!(NIV0 and Beth moore :.)
Go, Veronica!! March across Georgia!! Proclaim the
Word of the Lord with singing!!
Karen, Eupora
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10 NIV
Shannon- North Webster, IN
Do not work for food that spoils but for food that endures for eternal life, which the son of man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval
John 6:27 NIV
Rachel, Modesto, CA:
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
I Peter 4:11
Chris, Seattle, WA
Isaiah 32:17 NIV
The fruit of righteousness will be peace;
the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.
Beth, I sat and had a good cry when I read your thoughts about March. Prayed this morning for some reassurance over an issue. I found it in your words. Thanks. And thank you for being so willing to serve – tirelessly. Thank you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Jennifer
Charleston, SC
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heats and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phillips 4:5-7 NIV
Jana, Wilmington, Ohio
John 14:5 NIV
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answerred, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Missy S, Winston-Salem
I had a different verse picked out, but I changed my mind when I saw your post, Beth. Oh how I needed to hear those “March”-inspired words! I have been languishing in my wilderness, and I need to start marching!
“When You, God, went out before your people, when You marched through the wilderness, the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. 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.” Psalm 68:7-11 (NIV, 2010)
“March on, my soul; be strong!” Judges 5:21b (NIV)
P.S. What I would give to be in Houston w/ y’all tonight & hear Kari Jobe sing Healer!
Christy, Conifer, Colorado
5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 NIV
SSMT is changing my life, Beth! Thank you!
Stacy Indianapolis, IN Colossians 3:12-15 ESV
Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another, forgive as the Lord forgave you, and over all these things put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since as members of one body you were called to peace, AND BE THANKFUL!
Hey! I’m not to far from you! I’ve been watching to see if there is anyone from Indy area!! Glad to see you on here!
Kelly, Temple, TX “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.” ~2 Samuel 22:31 (NIV)