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 from Springfield
Romans 14:19-20 (NIV)
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” ~ Rom. 12:2 NASB
Jules Kearney, NE
Philippians 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.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 nkjv
Amber, Memphis: Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 (NASB)
Sara, Hull, GA: “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, NIV
Ontario, Ohio
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. Philippians 2:13 (NLT)
Mansfield, OH
Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: “Who am I, LORD God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?
1 Chronicles 17:16 NIV
Diane, Ontario, Canada
“Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
You have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places, surely I have a delightful inheritance.”
Psalm 16: 5-6 NIV
Pam, Milledgeville, Ga.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
John 13:34-35 NIV
March on my soul: be strong! Judges 5:21b NIV hampton,ct
Rebecca, Moultrie GA
An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.
Proverbs 12: 25 (NIV)
Christie Cheyenne, WY
James 1:21-22 NIV
Therefore, get rid of all the moral filfth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Amy Ann, Tulsa, OK “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” – Philippians 4:4 NASB
Toni, Benton, AR: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 ESV
Betty from Austin, Texas: He will have no fear of bad news, his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes. Psalm 112:7 & 8 NIV
Josie, age 8, Princeton, MN
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.” Romans 8:28a NIV
Dee, Zeeland, MI, from the NIV:
“The Lord within her is righteous; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he dispenses his justice, and EVERY NEW DAY HE DOES NOT FAIL, yet the unrighteous know no shame.” Zephaniah 3:5 (emphasis mine)
Becky, Groesbeck: Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in Him! Phil. 4:4 (MSG)
Kim, North Branch, MN
1 John 3:10 NIV
This is how we know who the children of God are & who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
Erika, St. Maries: So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death. Romans 8:1-2 (NLT)
Kristen – Herndon, VA
“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24 (NIV)
Cindy – Lake City, FL
Light, space, zest that’s God! So, with Him on my side I’m fearless, afraid of no one and nothing!
Psalm 27:1 (The Message)
Angie, Loveland, OH 1 Thess. 4:11 NIV
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you.
Lisa, Van Buren, AR
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
Debbie, Santa Barbara
It is written: I believed; therefore I have spoken.
With that same spirit of faith we also believe and
therefore speak, because we know that the one who
raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise
us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence.
2 Cor 4:13-14 NIV
Johnnie, Wake Forest, NC
“Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1 HCS
Joy
West Monroe, LA
Philippians 4:9
“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.
Brandi Larsen
Danville, IN
Joshua 1:9
NIV
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.
Washington D.C.
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. (NIV)
Hope, Loxley, AL, James 1:19-21, NIV: My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
Carrie, Piqua OH “Better a Poor man who lives with integrity than a rich man who distorts right and wrong.” Proverbs 28:6 Holman CSB
“The LORD will march out like a mighty man, 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 NIV
Sarah, Wartrace, TN
“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” Psalm 20:4 NIV
I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. II Timothy 4:7 NIV
Catherine, St Paul
“In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and He heard me.”
Psalm 120:1 KJV
Greensboro, NC
My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18
Martha, Catawba, NC
Jude 24-25 NAS
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only god our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Penne, Spokane
“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 NIV
Sara, Fisherville, KY “We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” 2 Cor. 4:10 NIV
Tracie, Taylorville, IL
Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
Courtney, Lakewood, CO
1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
Proverbs 3:1-2, NIV
Sarah Bremen, Ohio
“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 desert and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18,19 NIV
Rachael, Chattanooga, TN
” God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and will live in holiness and honor-not in lustful passion like the Pagans who do not know God and his ways. 7 God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5,7 NLT
Michele Mizell
Elyria, OH
Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield. NIV
Michelle in Nashville: “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.” –Psalm 62:5-7, NLT
Amy, GA
Galatians 5:1 NRSV
“For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
Kori I., Cabot, AR; 2 Peter 1:3 NIV His divine power has given us everything we need for life and Godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Look at the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. Psalm 105;4
Kristina, Huntsville, AL: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV