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!
Kim, New York
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be accepteable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (NKJV)
Stephanie, Virginia
“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4 NKJV
Alison Norman, OK
Ps 116:16 O Lord I am your servant, born into your household: You have freed me from my chains (NLT)
Julie,Chesterland
“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2 ESV
Mariposa S. Albuquerque NM
The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
Psalm 126:3 NIV
Nel, Willard MO,
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” Matthew 5:14 KJV
Shelley, Haslet, TX
March on, my soul; be strong!
Judges 5:21b NIV
Karen, Whitefish, Montana
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wing you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Ps. 91:4 NIV
Courtney T, Roseland, VA
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Matthew 24:14, KJV
Janell: Katy, TX
In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength. (Isaiah 30:15)NIV
Diane, alaska
When she opens her mouth, she speaks wisely; on her tounge is loving instruction. Proverbs 31:26 ( and refreshing verse 25)
opps! that’s from the Complete Jewish Bible
Liz, Washington D.C.,
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 ESV
Jeanie, Martin, SD
Psalm 145:8 NIV
The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
Jeanene, League City, TX
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.” Psalm 51:12 (NLT)
Kim Lewisburg, PA
NIV John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth
Melissa OKC
We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought & emotion & impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.
2 Cor. 10:5msg
Beth
Rome, Georgia
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” Romans 16:20 HCSB
Stephanie P.
Columbus, OH
I Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Chrissy, Birmingham, AL
“And God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus”
Philippians 4:9 (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. Psalms 19:14 NIV
C.J., Liberty
1Peter 3:8-9, NIV
“Finally all of you, live in harmony with one another, be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
Phil 3:12 NKJ “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.”
Kathy, Price, Utah:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
I forgot to include: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV
Lindsey, Springfield
“You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,all whose thoughts are fixed on you”
Isaiah 26:3
Brandy, Bangor:
“My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my savior.” Luke 1:46-47 (NASB)
Amber Euless, TX
I say the lord is my portion therefore I will put my hope in Him. Lamentations 3:24 HCS
Beth, Belton, TX
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” 1Peter 5:7 (nlv)
Jenny, Frankfort. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-29 NIV
Sandy-Gettysburg, SD “The ernest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” James 5:16b (NLT)
Cathy, Colorado Springs, When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2. NIV
Mary- Homer, IL
Psalm 18:29 (New Living Translation)
29 In your strength I can crush an army;
with my God I can scale any wall.
Jessica, Ellis, Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Megan, Columbus, OH
March on, my soul; be strong!
Judges 5:21(b) NIV
My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock , my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:78 NIV
Janell Urban, Clovis, NM; “I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. I am the Lord your God, I brought you out of Egypt so you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.”
Leviticus 26:12-13; NIV
Susie, Bremerton, WA
“The Lord loves righteousness and justice. The earth is full of his unfailing love.” Psalm 33:5, NIV
Brandy East Bend NC “We love because he first loved us” 1 John 4:19 NIV
Christy ~ Douglasville, GA
1 Peter 1 : 13-16 NIV
“13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Sally, Barrington IL – Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Carrie – Cincinnati, Ohio
Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for edificatioin, that it may impart grace to the hearers!
Susan, Buena Vista, GA. O God, You are my God; I earnestly search for You. My soul thirsts for You; my whole body longs for You in this parched and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1. NLT.
Jocelyn Costa Mesa, CA: The LORD your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Amy, Middletown, DE: Daniel 2:20-23 NIV
Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness and light dwells with Him. I thank and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom & power. You have made known to me what we asked of You. You have made known to us the dream of the king.
Cecilia, Mechanicsville, Trust in the LORD with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5, NIV
Vonda
Waterford, MI
Colossians 2:6 (NIV)
So then just as ye received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in HIm, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Pat, Hillsboro, OR
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalms 19:14 NIV
Melody, Ocean Springs
1 Timothy 4:8 (ESV)
For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
Cassie, White House, TN – Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philipians 4:6-7 NIV
Angela, Maui. “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you. Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4 (NLT)