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!
Erin, Chicago
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”–Psalm 16:11 (NIV)
Lisa S. Sparks, NV
Colossians 1:11 “being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience”
Col 1:11 NIV
Karen, Sacramento CA
“Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]” —Philippians 2:5 AMP
Tracy Leigh-Paris, MO- “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” ~Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2: 3-4, NIV
Marcie- From Phoenix to Frisco, TX last week!
Philippians 1:9 (NIV)
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight
Keri, Loves Park “For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.” 2 Samuel 22:32-33
Linda
Boerne, TX
“The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness”. 1 Samuel 26:23 NIV
Sarah, NC
“I said, “Plant the good seeds of righteousness and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that He may come and shower righteousness upon you.” NLT
“Create pure thoughts in me and make me faithful again.” Psalm 51:10 Contemporary English Version
Debbie in Alexandria, VA
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 hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6,7 (NIV)
Joy, Monroe, GA – My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. – Psalm 34:2, NKJV
Emmy Rome, GA
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” Rev 21:3 NIV
Jessica
Birmingham, AL
Philippians 4:6, NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10 NIV
Lindsey, Jenks OK
“Get up! Purify the people and get them ready to come before Me. Tell them to be ready tomorrow, because I, the LORD God of Israel, have this to say: ‘Israel, you have in your possession some things that I ordered you to destroy! You cannot stand against your enemies until you get rid of these things!’”
~Joshua 7:13 (Good News Translation)
Dyane, Edmond, Oklahoma “Create pure thoughts in me and make me faithful again.” Psalm 51:10 Contemporary English Version
Janifer, Glen Burnie, Maryland
“And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.’ ” John 6:35 NKJV
Angie Benton “I, even I, am He who comforts you…” Isaiah 51:12a NIV
Cindy, Columbia, MO
“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14, ESV
Elizabeth, OKC
“They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings – and with Him will be His called, chosen, and faithful followers.” Rev. 17:14
James 1:4 NIV
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
My city is Seminole, Texas
Katie, Duluth
You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus Phil 4:19 Message
Jeanetta, Tyler Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith developes perserverance. James 1:2-3 NIV
Jennifer Oklahoma City
May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
Ps. 141:2 NIV
Lori-Richmond,VA
“…whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Gal. 8(b)-9 NIV
Cheri
Lubbock TX
A person’s wisdom makes him slow to anger,
and it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 19:11 (NET)
Rebecca Julian, NC
“…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
Lauren P., Houston, TX
“Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”- Hosea 6:3 NIV
Leah
Indianapolis,IN
March on, my soul; be strong!
Judges 5:21b
Connie Freeland, MI March on, my soul be strong! Judges 5:21 NIV
Debbie in Elon,NC
A wise man’s heart guards his mouth.
Proberbs 16:23 NIV
Darla, Tampa, FL
Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
So sorry I’m Late…Fort Lauderdale, FL
Approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense. -Philippians 1:10 NKJV
Kelly , Sherwood
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he
shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6 KJV
Vicki, Indianapolis, IN
March on, my soul; be strong!
Judges 5:21b
Carmen, Summersville, WV
“Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.” Proverbs 4:23 NCV
Hannah, Georgetown, Tx
March on my soul, be strong!! Judges 5:21b
This is exactly what I need to read tonight. Thanks Beth
Betsy, Lincoln Park
“My determined purpose is that I may know Him, that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person.” Philippians 3:10 (Amplified)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5,6 NASB
Amanda, Boaz. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NIV
Vicki Eufaula AL
March 1, 2011 Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8 NCV
St.Charles,MO
“Show me the wonders of Your great love, You who save by Your right hand those who take refuge in You from their foes.”
Psalm 17:7 (NIV)
Martha Helen
Asheville, NC
Stephanie, Corpus Christi
“Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.” Psalm 126:6 NIV
Heather, Fuquay -Varina, NC:
“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
Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61; 1-2 NKJ
Philemon 1:7
Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
Philemon 1:7
Amber
Sulphur, LA
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NLT)
Ashley, Auburn “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NIV