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!
Ouida in Trenton,TX
The love of God constrains us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all then all died, and He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
II Corinthians 5:14-15 (NKJV)
Joyce, OKC. “Whoever claims to live in him MUST live as Jesus did.” 2 John 2:6, NIV.
Round Rock,TX
Be joyful always.
1 Thessalonians 5:16(NIV)
Lisa Auten; Rogers, AR: Phil. 4:19 THE MESSAGE “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.”
Janet, Coos Bay, OR
March on, my soul; be strong!
Judges 5-21b
Diana, Waconia, MN
Judges 5:21b (NIV)
“March on, my soul; be strong!”
Michele Lubbock
Joshua 1:9 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. NIV
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Phillipians 4:13 New Living Translation
Anna, San Diego
Amy 7634, SF Bay Area, CA:
“Whoever covers an offense seeks love,
but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.”
Proverbs 17:9 (ESV)
Darla – Edmond, OK
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Ephesians 3:20 KJV
AND I like it so much I’m memorizing the NLT as well.
“Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.” Ephesians 3:20 NLT
Valley Head, AL
John 10:10 (NKJV)
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundandly.
Cara, Edmond, OK
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:5. NIV
Summer, Royse City, TX
Psalm 112:7
They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the lord.
Kristi
Arlington, TX
Psalm 119: 10-11
“I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.”
NIV
Sherry, London, Ontario, Canada
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:11
NKJV
Bettye from Southlake, TX
“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24 (NIV)
Grace, Chicago
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Eph 4:32 NIV
Cassie, Bells, TX. “Therefore we also, since we are surrrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set bfore Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV
Samantha. Twin City, GA. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 NIV
Delores, Columbia, TN…I John 4:14 ESV…Little Children, you are from God, and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Kay, Greenwood, SC
“So give yourselves completely to God. Stand against the devil, and the devil will run from you.”
James 4:7 NIV
Melonie Rogers, MN
But I trust in you, LORD; you are my God. My times are in your hands
Psalm 31:14-15
Amanda, Edmond, Oklahoma
“For I am about to do something new…I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” -Isaiah 43:19NLT
Round Rock, TX
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
James 2:26 (NIV)
“This one will say, ‘I am the LORD’s,’ another will all on the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’ and name himself by the name of Israel.”
-Isaiah 44:5 ESV
Ali, Pelzer, SC
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have the divine power to demolish arguments.” 2 Corinthians 10:4 NIV
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:7-8 NIV
Kristi Scottsdale, AZ
Isaiah 43:10 The Message
“Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.”
Becki, Houston, Hosea 6:3 NET
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 th earth.
Sue, Texarkana. Deut. 20:3b-4 “Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” NIV
Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name. (Heb 13:15 NIV)
Bernadette, Mountain Home, AR The Lord your God is w/ you; he is mighty to save. he takes great delight in you. He covers you with his love. He rejoices over you with singing. Zeph 3:17 NIV
Tilley in Franklin, TN
“No power in the sky above or in the earth below — indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:39 (New Living Translation)
Laurel from Phoenix, AZ
Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
Julie, Tulsa
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20,21 NIV
Becky, Chattanooga
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 ~ NIV
Becca, Alma: “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
Therefore my brothers be all the more eager to make your calling and election
sure. For if you do these things, you will
never fall, and you will reveive a rich
welcome into the kingdom of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:10-11
Never worry about anything! But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks THEN God’s peace which goes beyond anything we can imagine will guard your heart (thoughts and emotions) through Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:6-7 God’s Word Version
Lezli, Columbus, GA: “I said to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord, apart from you I have no good thing.’ ” Psalm 16:2 (NIV)
Round Rock, TX
But the wisdon that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
James 3:17 (NIV)
Susan
Windsor,CA
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2 NIV
Hannah- Austin, TX
“Instead of your shame you will have a double portion, and instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion therefore they will possess a double portion in their land, everlasting joy will be theirs.”
Isaiah 61:7 NASB
Robin O’Bryant, Greenwood Ms, “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
Cathy,Dallas
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. Psalm 126:5
Jana, Tampa, “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
Abilene, TX “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.” James 1:19-20
11 Timothy 2:21
Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing.
The Message
Nicole, Winnipeg, 1 Peter 5:6-9 Message
So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; He is most careful with you. Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times.
Mandy, Lexington, S.C.
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful!
Colossians 3:15
NRSV