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!
Judy, Holly Springs, Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
Gloria
Jacksonville, FL
The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
Psalm 145:14 (NIV)
Jan, Gulf Breeze, FL. Matthew 6:34 NIV “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it’s own.”
“My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.” -James 1:2-4 (NRSV)
Nikki
Richmond, VA
Judges 5:21b (NIV) “March on, my soul; be strong!”
gina johnstown, co
And Jesus answered them. “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Luke 5:31-32 ESV
Cindy; Valdosta, GA
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13, NIV
“To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.”.
Isaiah 8:20. NASB
Jayne
Frisco, TX
Shelly Houston,TX
And Jesus answered them. “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to the the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Luke 5:31-32 ESV
Jill, Bozeman MT
Lord, You establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.
Isaiah 26:12 NIV
Go ahead,march on. 2 Samual 15:22
Leslie in Fairhope, AL “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up ange.” Proverbs 15:1 NIV
Leslie in Fairhope, AL “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 NIV
Katie, Sherrill NY
You too, be patient and stand firm.
James 5:8 NIV
Kathy, St. Petersburg, FL
Colossians 3:5-6
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. (NIV)
*sigh* late again….
Kim, Detroit
“Finally, brothers, 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)
Heather, Whittier, CA
Isaiah 42:13
The Lord will march out like a mighty man, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies.
NIV
Cindy, Ocala,FL
“March on, my soul; be strong.”
Judges 5:21b (NIV)
Wendy in Mesilla Park NM
“Trust in the LORD forever, For in God the LORD, we have an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:4′ NASB
Sacha, Midland, TX
“Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
1 Peter 5:9 (ESV)
Vickey, Plumerville AR Colossians 3:23, Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically as something done for the Lord and not for men.
Sandra ~ China Grove, NC
Philippians 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.
Shannon – Rogers, AR 1 Peter 5:5b-7 “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” NKJV
A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples,
if you love one another.
John 13:34–35 NIV
Kierstan
Portland, Oregon
Marti from Charlotte, NC:
Psalm 68:19 “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.”
Rock Hill, SC
“…pues todos han pecado y estàn privados de la gloria Dios…” -Romanos 3:23
(I’m going to Ecuador this summer…learning verses in Spanish).
Beth, Thurmont, MD
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24, NIV
In Fresno, CA – Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we, confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. Romans 5:2 NLT
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.
Lisa from Greenville, SC.
Isaiah 46: 10b “I say: my purpose will stand and I will do all that I please.” and 11b “What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned that will I do.” NIV
Susan – Lititz, PA
…”if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”
1 Cor 13:2b-3 (NIV)
Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil
“This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
~ I Corinthians 2:13-14 (NIV ’84)
Anna – Ruckersville, VA
giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
(Ephesians 5:20 ESV)
Katherine Lee, Jonesboro, AR “Devote yourselves to prayer being wathful and thankful and pray for us too that God may open a door for our message that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ for which I am in chaing. Pray that I may procliam it as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders. Make the most of every opportunity. Let you conversations be filled with grace and seasoned with salt so that you will know how to answer anyone. Col 4:2-6 NIV
Lynn Concord, NC
I know that You can do everything. And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.
Job 42:2 NKJ
Gena Carter
Elgin, Texas
“March on, my soul; be strong!” Judges 5:21b (NIV)
Laurel, Zeeland
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Matthew 6:34 The Message
Molly ~ Timberlake, NC
Jesus said to her,”Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40 NIV
~Molly P
Karen, Caledonia, OH
But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach.
Matthew 7:26 The Message
Barbra, Oxford, PA
Ephesians 1:18 NIV
I pray that the eyes of your(my) heart may be enlightened in order that you(I) may know the hope to which he has called you(me), the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,
Tina, Monroe, LA:
March on, my soul; be strong!
Judges 5:21b (NIV)
Theresa – Brandon, MS: “Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms.” ~Psalm 68:19 (NLT)
Amy
Snellville, GA
The LORD your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zeph. 3:17 (NKJV)
Amy, Dayton
I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources, He will give you mighty inner strength through His Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 3:16 (NLT)
AmyLu, Evansville.
He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
1 Thessalonians 5:10 (NIV)
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
Roxanne, Spring, TX
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you.
I Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)
Belton
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 NAS
Ps. 62:1
My souls finds rest in Him alone. My salvation come from Him alone.
Hannah, Oxford, PA
Psalm 139:1, NIV
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me!
Nancy
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Matthew 5:6
NIV
Eph. 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.