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!
Cynthia, Russellville
Judges 5:21b NIV
March on, my soul; be strong!
Lori, Fort Campbell, KY
Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:6 NLT
Lahna, Burkburnett: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered the heart of man, the things God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Cor 2:7 NKJV
Julia, Schaumburg, IL,
“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 hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Colossians 4:5-7 NIV
Makaela, Lynchburg, VA
“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” Psalm 55:22 (NIV)
Julie/Deer Park/ The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3 NIV
Great worship with Kari Jobe tonight!!!
Karen, Islamorada, Florida
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
Ephesians 4: 26-27 NIV
And from February 15th, which I forgot to log here,
“I hate divorce,” says the God of Israel. God-of-the-Angel-Armies says, “I hate the violent dismembering of the ‘one flesh’ of marriage.” So watch yourselves. Don’t let your guard down. Don’t cheat.
Malachi 2:16 The Message
Celeste Land O Lakes FL “Do whatever God has told you.”
Genesis 31:16b NIV
Long Beach, CA
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters:
and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!
Come , buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”
Isaiah 55:1
Jenny D; Lacey, WA; second part of Deut. 6:5-9; “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home & when you walk along the road, when you lie down & when you get up.” Deut. 6:7
LaShae, Abilene, TX “Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory.” Psalm 73:23-24 NASB
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight (NASB)
Proverbs 3:6 (NASB)
Colleen
Calgary, Canada
Janie, Lubbock “The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
How fitting indeed!!!!!!
Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
Jen, Shreveport, LA
Angie, Cincinnati, Oh~ As you know, we count as 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. James 5:11 NIV
Allison ~ Huntsville, Texas; NIV
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Kay, Modesto: March on, my soul; be strong! Judges 5:21b (NIV)
Dana
Hunt Valley, Md
The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, I will praise him, my father’s God and I will exalt him.
Exodus 15:2 NIV
Meredith, Fayetteville, AR “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess. 5:16-18
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 NET
Leigh, Seneca Falls
Joyce, Jacksonville
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
Isaiah 58:7 (NIV)
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter– when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Fort Payne, AL
Susie – Knoxville, TN
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Tim. 1:7 (NIV)
(KJV) James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Houston, TX
Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Luke 5:31-32 NIV
Jody, Arizona
“Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Charlotte, Lexington, KY
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23 NIV
De’Anna, Bakersfield, CA
With what is going on in my daughter’s life, this was the most perfect verse:
1 Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.” (NIV)
Julie, Goodyear. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 NIV
Shawn from Whitesboro
Psalms 139:13-14 NIV
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Julie, Fredericksburg, VA
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:25-26, NIV
Johnstown, CO
Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Luke 5:31-32 NIV
Ann Crystal Springs, MS
2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)
if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Krista, League City, Tx
Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
“Therefore the wicked (those disobedient and living without God) shall not stand (justified) in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God.” Psalm 1:5 AMP
I’m memorizing Psalm 1, verse by verse, hence the seemingly strange scripture choice!
Suzanne, East Bernard, Tx
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great could of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Lynn, Bossier City. 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.
Isaiah 42:13 NIV
Joanna S Moreno Valley, CA
If people can’t see what God is doing,
they stumble all over themselves;
But when they attend to what he reveals,
they are most blessed. -Proverbs 29:18
Deanna, Denver,
All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:3 NIV
Kathryn, Tempe AZ: Psalm 62:5-8 NIV
Find rest O my soul, in God alone, my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God, He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people, pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.
Asheville, NC John 3:30″He must increase, but I must decrease. NASB
Jeni – Vevay, IN
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (NIV)
1 Corinthians 1:18
Sarabeth, Tacoma, WA. “For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things”. Psalm 107:9, ESV
Lisa, Brazoria, TX “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
Tina, Cincinnati, OH: James 5:16 – Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (NIV)
Dawn, Beavercreek, OH
“Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer life, being both alert and intent in your praying, with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2 Amplified Bible
Sorry I missed the last post … on a ministry trip in France with minimal internet. Still memorized … and kept up with Bible study homework on those long train and plane rides:)
Kim, Kansas City, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (I Cor. 10:13) NKJV
Connie Greene, IA
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Mary Sue, Abilene My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19 NIV
Elizabeth, Lewisville, TX
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 NIV