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!
Sabrina – Bahrain
Sorry I’m late!
Romans 8:11 NIV
11. “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you”
Vicki, Burton Michigan
“March on, my soul, be strong!”
Judges 5:21b NIV
OOPS! 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Gayla, Johns Creek, GA
“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 wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Kristi, Rogersville
Proverbs 31:26 NKJV
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
Jean, Carlisle PA
Psalm 138:8 (NIV)
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever – do not abandon the works of your hands.
Shelley M – Pisgah Forest, NC
My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26
But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God”. My times are in your hands. Psalm 31:14-15a NIV
Ellen, Columbus, GA
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he,
I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
– Isaiah 46:4, NIV
Karen, Virginia Beach, VA
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD yuor God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Norman, OK
Colossians 2:9-10 NASB
For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.
Kasie
Cedar Park, Texas
We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy. Colossians 1:11 NLT
Beth, Buford, GA
1 John 3:19-20 (NIV)
This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
Carrie – Kitchener, ON, Canada – Psalm 19:14 (NIV) May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Jennifer, Marietta
In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free. Psalm 118:5 (NLT)
Kinney Ferris, Oxford, MS
“Rejoice in hope: be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.” Romans 12:12 HCSB
Tonya, Houston, Psalms 127:3 NIV
Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him.
Jules, Saginaw MI
For the LORD your God is God of gods
and Lord of lords,
the great God,
mighty and awesome,
who shows no partiality
and accepts no bribes.
~Deuteronomy 10:17 NIV
Lexington, Ky
Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
NIV
Joanna Howard – Williamsburg, VA
“But He gives mores grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 (ESV)
Judy Louisville, KY
Psalm 119:130 NIV
“The unfolding of Your Words gives light, it gives understanding to the simple.”
Susan – Statesville, NC
I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand Your statutes.
Ps. 119:125 (NIV)
Diane, Spring, Texas — “March on, my soul; be strong!” (Judges 5:21b) NIV
Susan – Maynard, MA
Psalm 31:14-15 – (NLT)
But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!”
My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.
Tara
Kyiv, Ukraine
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: ” If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. NIV
Amy, McDonough, GA
Isiah 26:3
You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. NIV
Marlene- Ladson, SC
Let thy mercy,O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. Psalms 33:22 KJV
“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.” Isa.40:31 (NIV)
Patti, Marching on from Statham, Ga!
“You will keep [her] in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You,
Because [she] trusts in You.
Trust in the Lord forever,
For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.”
Isaiah 26:3-4
Shauna, Horn Lake, MS
Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.
1 Timothy 4:13 (HCSB)
Nancy, Camillus, NY
“Love does not delight in eveil but rejoices in truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:6-7
Lisa, Granville, Ohio
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
Juanita from Virginia Beach:
My soul, praise the Lord, and do not forget his benefits. He forgives all your sin; He heals all your diseases. He redeems your life from the pit; He crowns you with faithful love and compassion. He satisfies you with goodness; your youth is renewed like the eagle. Psalm 103:2-5 HCSB
Lori, Mapleville, “I look up to the mountains, does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2
Lauren, New Braunfels, TX: Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. Gal. 1:10, NIV
Sharon, Geigertown, PA
Psalm 91:1-2
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.” NKJV
Jenn
Frederick, MD
…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifices of Praise to God,that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
But do not forget to do good and to share for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” Hebrews 13:15,16 NKJV
Linda & girls, Pauls Valley, OK: Judges 5:21b (NIV) “March on, my soul; be strong!” (My seven-year-old can demonstrate this one beautifully!)
Linda, Spring, TX
For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the entire earth, to strengthen those whose heart is true to Him.
II Chronicles 16:9 NRSV
Monica, Columbus OH: “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! amen” 2 Peter 3:18 NIV
Heal me O Lord and I will be healed, save me and I will be saved, For YOU are my praise.
Jeremiah 17:14 NAS
Catherine Ladson, SC
Let Integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait and expect YOU! Ps 25:21 AMP
Nan, Coppell. TX
For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7, NET
Penny from Knoxville, TN
Philippians 3:13 (NIV)
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.
Allison – Warrenton, VA
Exodus 14:13-14 (NIV)
“Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.'”
Angie, Missouri
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)
You have made known to me the path of life; You fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand. Psalm 16:11 NIV
Lori, Norwood, MA, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10/NIV