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!
Julie, Port Huron Michigan ~ Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
Tami, OKC – March on, my soul; be strong! Judges 5:21b (NIV) I needed this one.
Kara
Houston, TX
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NIV
Nita, Corinth
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life-your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking-around life-and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Romans 12:1 The Message
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. -Phillipians 4:6 NIV
Kelly, Lees Summit, MO “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isa 41:10 Message Bible
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”
Ephesians 1:18-19 NIV
Kaiva from Victoria, Minnesota
This is the day the Lord has made.We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 NLT
Laurie, Newburgh, In.
Zech.2:13 ” Be silent before the Lord, all humanity, for He is springing into action from His holy dwelling.”ESV
Larissa Simpson, Benbrook, Tx
“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.”
Psalm 68:7-11 (NIV)
Cortni, Coden, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” NIV
oops… Jeremiah 29:13
Kim, W.Richland “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Mark 1:17 NIV
Halei, Fort Worth, TX
He offered Himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, sinful, rebellious life into this good, pure, energetic life, making us people He can be proud of, energetic in goodness.
Titus 2:14 (MSG)
Erin, New Orleans, LA.
“hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:5 (NIV)
Bellaire, TX
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:26 (ESV)
Miranda Clay Center, KS
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NIV
Peggy, San Diego
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits–
Psalm 103:2 niv
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”-Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)
Misti Fernandez- Carlsbad, NM
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Jesica, Seattle. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. Psalm 63:4-5 (NIV)
Jessica, Monterrey, Mexico
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV
Katie, Loveland, CO
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
Paula, Houston, TX – “In my distress I called upon the Lord, I cried to my God for help. From his temple, he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.” – Psalms 18:6, NIV
Jodi Springfield, MO
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. But as the One who is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct, for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy. 1 Peter 1:14-16 HCSB
Julie, Carlsbad, Ca (posting from Phoenix, AZ-my husband has been in a boat accident and air lifted to a Level 1 trauma hospital here) Please pray for healing. He’s improving each day.
“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2
Anne Squamish BC Canada
Make your ambition to lead a quiet life. You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
NIV
Heather, McCalla “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4 (NKJV)
I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17b NIV
Elaine, St. Louis, Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
Katherine,St.Johns,FL
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed,yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord,who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 NIV
Sharon Modesto, Ca
May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. NIV
stacey – new orleans
judges 5:21b niv
March on, my soul, be strong.
Tamara
Kelowna, BC, Canada
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11a, NIV
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galations 1:10 ESV
Bev, Austin
2 Samuel 22:25
“God rewrote the text of my life
when I opened the book of my heart to His Eyes.”
The Message
Janice from Milford, IL
God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Hebrews 6:10-12 (NIV)
Just have to share….found out this evening that our oldest daughter is expecting our first grandbaby! Praise to our Heavenly Father!
Nancy, Wichita KS
Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. James 5:14-15 NIV
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 (English Standard Version)
Brittany, Elko, NV
John 10:14-15 ESV
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Jessica, Chester
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the spirit whoe gives you life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1,2 (NIV)
Donna, Spring, TX:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:3-5 (NIV)
Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will help you.
-Psalm 37:5
NLT
1 Chronicles 16:11 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. (NIV)
Amy
Mustang, Ok
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
churchand in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,
for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21 NLT
Amy Sullins
Gadsden, AL
2 Timothy 2:23-26
Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
This is what the Lord says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.”
Isaiah 48:17
NLT
Kristin
Montgomery, AL
Lauren, Jackson, Ky. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”, ESV
Laura, Kila,MT ” the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is capable of judging the attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NIV
Bec, Bendigo, Australia –
“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32:17
NIV
Jody, Mission Viejo, Galatians 6:9, Amplified Version
And let us not lose haert and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.