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!
Cheryl, Naperville: 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. Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Lisa, West Des Moines, IA Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear even if…” (NLT)
Judy, Crawfordsville, IN
“…….he(she) went out not knowing where he(she) was going.” Hebrews 11:8bNIV
This verse was the one God gave me when I decided to retire. It has been 10 years and the places I’ve been are amazing, a mission trip to Africa included!
Alyssa, Fort Worth, TX:
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Psalm 91:11-12 (NIV)
Matia, Fort Worth, “so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him bearing fruit in every good work and growing the in the knowledge of God.”
Colossians 1:10 (HCSB)
Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thes 5:18 New American Standard
Jennifer, Powell,Oh
“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.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Dana from Lexington
“March on, my soul; be strong” Judges 5:21b NIV
I totally needed this verse today and changed my verse to this one. Raising a strong-willed almost 3 year old and a just as wild almost 9 month can really bring you down.
Michelle, Chesapeake, OH, “One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lords all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire at his temple.” Psa 27:4 NKJV
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:2-3 (NIV)
Lindy, NC
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. Ps.62:5 NIV
Whitney Snow: Hamptonville, NC-“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
Buffy
Rogers
God has been speaking to me about “endurance” (not my favorite conversation!) – so the “march” theme is so very timely!
“March on, my soul; be strong! Judges 5:21b
Emily, Oklahoma City
“Those who know Your Name will trust in You, for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You” (Psalm 9:10 NIV).
Beth, Montoursville, PA
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying “Destroy him!”
Deuteronomy 33: 27 (NIV)
Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
LK AZ
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 does not keep record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth. Love always protects. It always hopes. It always trusts. It always perseveres. Love never fails. I Corinthians 13:4-7
Annie, Alabama
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)
Angie, Minden, LA
Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 CEV
Jean, Columbus, Ohio – There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 KJV
Betsy, Rome, GA:
“I lift my hands to you in prayer. I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain.”
Psalm 143:6, NLT
Deborah, Dublin
James 5:7 KJV
“Be patient therefore, brethren,
unto the coming of the Lord.
Behold, the husbandman waiteth
for the precious fruit of the earth,
and hath long patience for it,
until he receive
the early and latter rain.”
Traci…Marching on strong in Corona, CA – Psalm 18:6 (NKJV)
In my distress, I called upon the LORD, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears.
Natalie ~ Jacksonville, Florida
James 1:12 (NIV) ~ Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
“To much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.” Proverbs 10:19 NLT
Dana – Ashland,KY
Jennifer, Little Rock, AR She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27 NIV
Sloan, Greensboro, GA
Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled.
Matthew 5:4-6 NIV
Margie, Medina,Ohio~
Finishing up storing Psalm 62:5-8. NIV.
Doing the last verse…. “Trust in Him at all times, o people;
pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.”
Amen. Amen. Amen!!
James 5:11 NIV
“As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
“Depend on The Lord, trust Him, and He will take care of you.” Psalmm 37:5 NCV
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22 (KJV)
Marie, Albuquerque, NM Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. James 1: 2-4 (Message)
Amber, Fort Collins, CO
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14 NIV
pinkmommy, Arkansas
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
Molly, Rochester, NY
“For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 NIV
He will command his angels concerning you to guide you in all your ways. Psalm 91:11. NIV
LaTava, Lincoln
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Melissa, Proctorville “Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4 NKJV
Richelle, Kingston, TN
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. Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Katie
Frisco, Texas
“March on, my soul; be strong!”
Judges 5:21b NIV
Kimberly Jacksonville.” I will not be put to shame, but with all boldness Christ will be glorified in me! Philippians 1:20
Marceil – Cedar Rapids ~ Colossians 1:9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, [NASV]
Cathleen, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan “O My Soul, March on with strength!”
~ Judges 5:21 AMP
Heather, Shiloh
“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)
1 Peter 5:7 KJV
Cast all your care upon him for he careth for you.
Nellie Danville Ky
Teri, Kalamazoo, MI. “…yet, because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” 2 Chron. 16:8-9 (NKJV)
Heidi Tracht
Nampa, ID
“March on, my soul; be strong!”
Judges 5:21b NIV)
Karen, Hendersonville “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 (NIV)