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!
Gloria, Aiken SC
The Lord delights in those who fear Him,
who put their hope in His unfailing love.
~Psalm 147:11(NIV)
Sharon, Colorado Springs James 1:19
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. (NIV)
melody link from crystal springs, ms
2 Chronicles 7:14 (Amplified Bible)
14If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Kristina ~ Frisco
Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or 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
Georgia
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do Not be afraid; Do not be discouraged.
That’s my verse too!
To set the mind on the flesh is death , but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:6 ESV
Andrea, Houston
Judges 5:21b NIV
March on, my soul; be strong!
“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)
Becky
Murfreesboro, TN
Gulley, San Antonio
Proverbs 21:23
He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.
Whoops! Missed 3/1!
Beth, Hartland
“Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where briars grew, myrtles will sprout up. This miracle will bring great honor to the Lord’s name; it will be an everlasting sign of His power and love.”
Isaiah 55:13 NLT
Kellyn Spartanburg
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10:36
Elizabeth, Oxford, PA
John 1:1 NIV
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Carla from Lufkin, TX
Proverbs 21:23
“Whoever guards her(his) mouth and tongue keeps her(his) soul from troubles.” (NKJV)
Proverbs 18:21
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (NKJV)
Rachele, Saginaw, TX
Isaiah 55:11 “so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” NIV 1984
Heather, Chelmsford, ON, Canada
And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws (Ezekiel 36:27).
Sorry, (NIV).
Heidi from Rochester, MI
“I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.” Malachi 3:6 (NIV)
Kaci, Midland, TX – 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 (NIV)
Sally, Mechanicsburg, PA
Delight yourselves in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: (to be continued!)
Psalm 37:4,5 NIV
Maegan, Birmingham. “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24 ESV
“Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” Proverbs 13:10 – NIV
Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. NLT Bible
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NIV
Danielle Cypress, Tx Isaiah 41:13
” I hold you by your right hand- I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, “Don’t be afraid, I am here to help you.”
2 Chronicles 20:21
After talking it over with the people, Jehoshaphat appointed a choir for God; dressed in holy robes, they were to march ahead of the troops, singing, Give thanks to God, His love never quits. The Message
Martha/Albertville, AL/Whom have I in heaven but You? And I have no delight or desire on earth besides You.
Psalm 73:25(Amplified Bible)
kerry
Sheridan, wy
“Is.56:6 ESV “and the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to Him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be His servants,
everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant-
Libby – Littleton, Co. Phil 4:19 “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (ESV)
You will keep in perfect peace him whiose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Becky from Wixom, MI
1 Jn 4:18 (NIV)
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
For it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:16 NIV
Donita – Tucson, AZ
Isaiah 28:23 – 26 (Message)
Listen to me now.
Give me your closest attention.
Do farmers plow and plow and do nothing but plow?
Or harrow and harrow and do nothing but harrow?
After they have prepared the ground, don’t they plant?
…
They know exactly what to do and when to do it.
Their God is their teacher.
Tracy, Atlanta:
“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 (NASB)
Isaiah 30:21 NIV Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying “This is the way; walk in it.”
Teah, Birmingham, AL
I Corinthians 9:25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. ESV
Roxanne, Lincoln, NE. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 KJV
Psalm 27: 5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.
Tina, Murrells Inlet: Be still and know that I am God! Psalm 46:10
Cindy, Rochester MN – I decided to add to my memory passage this time; instead of James 1:4, it will be James 1:2-4. “Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4 (AMP)
Also, I don’t remember if I posted my last verse. Here it is: “For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit.” Romans 8:5(AMP)
Let’s do our best to know the LORD.
His coming is as certain as the morning sun;
he will refresh us like rain renewing the earth in the springtime. Hosea 6:3 CEV
Shirley Barry, Mooresville, NC
Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
Galatians 5:25 New Living Translation
Teresa, Haxtun, CO
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (NLT)
Lauren, Senoia: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from this.” Proverbs 4:23, NIV
Stacey, Sugar Land, TX
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.”
Colossians 3:16 (NRSV)
lindsay. medford, nj. “this is what the lord almighty says, ‘give careful thought to your ways.'”. haggai 1:7 niv
Betty, Somerset, MA
I love the theme you posted about, Beth. While my verse for this go-round does not include the word “march”, the intent is there…wonder if God is not trying to tell me (us) something?
Anyway, my verse:
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you or abandon you. – Deut. 31:8
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
♥ Elissa in CT
Teresa, MS
“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” Pro. 3:24 nas
PJ, Atlanta, GA
Isaiah 48:17 (NIV)
This is what the LORD says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the LORD your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.
Kathy,Pensacola
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Psalm 100:1-2 NIV
Terri, Marion, IN
By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or by night. Ex. 13:21, NIV