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!
1 Peter 4:8-9 NAS Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint.
Amy, Las Vegas, NV
Danielle, Chesapeake VA
Whatever you do, do your work heartily as for the Lord rather than for men.
Colassians 4:7
Stacia, Fresno CA
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.” Isaiah 55:1-2, NIV
Tina – White Salmon, WA “March on, My Soul; Be Strong!” Judges 5:21(b)
Dora – Houston, TX –
Show me the way I should go for to you I entrust my life.
Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
Brenda, Chicago, IL
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Proverbs 16:24 NIV
Staci, Beaumont, TX
And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.
1 John 5:14-15
Elizabeth, Portland, Oregon:
“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope He has given to those He called-His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance.”
Ephesians 1:18 N.L.T.
Michelle, Charlotte, NC – He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 1 Thess 5:24 ESV
Val – Spotsylvania, Va
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11 NIV
Kristen, Los Angeles, CA:
Genesis 12: 2- 3 (NIV)
“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”
Jamie, Fort Worth ~
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight” – Proverbs 3: 5 – 6; NIV
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5(NIV)
Gabi/Dallas – Give your burdens to the Lord,
and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
Meredith: Wilmington, NC
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Natalie, Trussville, AL: ” Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8
Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. Proverbs 25:28 NIV
Nancy, Kiwoko. O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2 NIV.
Mary Lou, Young America, “A wise woman’s heart guides her mouth, and her lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Prov. 16:23-24 NIV
Melissa Calgary, Alberta:
“The moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength.”
Psalms 138:3 (The Message)
Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.
Hebrews 7:25 NLT
Meredith: Wilmington,NC
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee.
He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22 NIV
As the rain & snow come down from heaven, & do not return to it without watering the earth & making it bud & flourish, so that it yields seed to the sower & bread for the eater, 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. Isaiah 55:10-12
Nesha- Mechanicsville, VA
‘May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock, my Redeemer.’
Psalm 19:14
Sandy, Maryland, March on, my soul: be strong! Judges 5:21b NIV (late due to internet trouble)
Sandra, Kayleigh, Bethany; Waco, TX – Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him. Philippians 4:4 The Message
Twyla from Greenville
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
Bridgette Jencks
Panama City Beach, FL
Psalm 91:1-2 NIV
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Dutchess of Winterville, NC (Thanks for this Beth!) “…Go ahead, march on…” 2 Samuel 15:22 NIV
Victoria, Mason, MI (Beth – your suggestion from Life Today)
Does not my word burn like fire? says the Lord. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?” Jeremiah 24:29 NLT
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV
Alicia, Fort Wayne, IN
Isaiah 40:28 NLT “Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of His understanding.”
Jessica, Gadsden: “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” 2 Timothy 1:8-9
Judges 5:21b
March on my soul: be STRONG!
Deirdre Russell
Atlanta, GA
I needed this this month
Marie, Campton, KY
“They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings–and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” Revelation 17:14 (NIV)
Paula, Earlham
“For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”
Psalm 100:5 NLT
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalm 51:12; NIV
Debbie, Marion, IN “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 (NIV)
Judges 5:21
March on, my soul; be strong
For any who have been praying for my Matt, he is now almost pain free, and riding a stationary bike and learned the guitar and asking the doctors when he start to run again. PRAISE THE LORD!
Kelley, Willow Spring:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God.
Phil 4:6 NIV
Susan, Ellensburg, WA
“Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You.” Psalm 9:10 NIV
Pam, Wadesboro NC
Isaiah 43: 2 NKJV
When you pass through the water, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.
Allison, Chattanooga, TN; Psalm 122:1-2 NIV
1 I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” 2 Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem.”
“we can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps”
Proverbs 16:9 NLT
Sherri, Modesto, CA, Proverbs 31:25 (NIV) “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
Ruth – Fuquay Varina, NC – “I have been crucifed with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galations 2:20 NIV
Karen, To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV
Beverly, Vicksburg, MS
Joshua 1:9 NIV “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.”
“He has made everything beautiful in it time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from the beginning o end.”
Ecclesiates 3:11 (NIV)
Carrie, Burnsville, MN
love you gals!
Sharon, 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