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!
Linda in Red River, NM
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
John 16:33 (Amplified)
Wendy~ Florida
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. Psalms 71:20 NIV
Mackenzie
Tulare, Ca
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God. Not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
Amanda, Springfield, Ohio: Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go to, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8 NIV
Sarah, Vancouver Wa
Everything is permissible for me- but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me- but I will not be mastered by anything.
1 Cor. 6:12
(First I was late in posting, then I messed up (above). One of those days Forgive me.)
Staci, Holland, MI
“Finally brothers, what 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Phillipians 4:8-9
Becky, Rochester, MN “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;my hope comes from him, He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.”
Ps 62:5-7 NIV
Diane H., Dallas, Texas
The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. Psalm 145:8 NIV
Heidi – Midland, TX
Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. Phillipians 4:8 NIV
Sara, Somerset, KY
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. Hebrews 10:36 (NIV)
Cara, Holland. “Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” Exodus 4:12
ESV (sorry I forgot)
Deborah, Kennewick. “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.” Psalm 62.5 NIV
Christy, Orlando
Create in me a pure heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NIV
Lisa, Fairview, NC
Psalm 119:45 NLT
I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.
Julie, Plymouth, MN
For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in the Son and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross- though him, whether thing on earth or things in Heaven
Colossians 1:19 &20 NET
Jennifer, Collierville (near Memphis)
Romans 8:38, 39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” NIV
Isaiah 40:31 KJV
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.
2 Timonthy 1:7 NIV
Lori; Magnolia, AR. “And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt.”
–Matthew 18:27, NASB
Hey, I have a cousin lives in magnolia….. Julia smith, know her? Lisa, Jackson, Mo
Psalm 62:1-2 (NIV)
Connie, Turlock
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
Jacksonville, FL
“As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged Him that he might be with Him. And He did not permit him but said to him “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how He had mercy on you.”
-Mark 5:18-19 ESV
Pslam 62:1-2 (NIV)
1 My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from Him. 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Cindy/Midland
Katie, LaGrange, GA:
“Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in Him, because we trust His holy name.” ~Psalm 33:20-21, ESV~
Kristy, MB Canada
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
Ephesians 1:17 NIV
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:26 NIV
Lynsie Armstrong, Jackson, MS: Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong!
I truly just copied and pasted. How needed and timely.
Deb K, Sterling Hts: But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will booast all the more fladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corth 12:9 NIV
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NLT Jeanette, Danville, Va.
Deb K, Sterling Hts: 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 Corth 12:9 NIV
Rom 1:18-20. The wrath of god is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness; since what can be Known about god is clear to them because god has made it clear to them. For since the creation of the world gods invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen -understood by what has been made so that men are without excuse.
Cindy, Grand Rapids, MI ~ “Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23:29 NIV
March on, my soul; be strong! Judges 5:21b (NIV)
Allison, Washington, DC
Norma
Dallas, NC
“We’re in no hurry, God. We’re content to linger in the path sign-posted with your decisions. Who you are and what you’ve done are all we’ll ever want.”
Isaiah 26:8 (The Message)
Susan, Old Hickory, TN
March on, my soul; be strong! Judges 5:21b (NIV)
He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction. Proverbs 17:19
Erin, Tyler Texas
Cindy, Spokane, WA
Blessed be the Lord,
who daily bears us up;
God is our salvation.
Psalm 68:19 ESV
Julie, Marietta, GA
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5 NIV
1 Cor. 3:16 (MSG)
You realize, don’t you, that you are the temple of God, and God himself is present in you?
Mary H. ..Sac., CA
Renee, Cypress, TX – 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. Revelations 17:14 NIV
Vicki, Dallas
“March on, my soul; be strong!”
Judges 5:21b
Katie – Madison, WI – You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.
This I command you, that you love one another. John 15:16-17 NASB
“Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, O Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.” -Psalm 9:10
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord, Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 1:3 NIV
Kristen, Kansas City: The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NAS)
Renee, Cypress, TX – 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
Sara, College Station, TX:
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (NIV)
Amber Marie, Hernando, MS
“What I tell you in the dark, speak in daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.”
Matthew 10:27-28a
NIV
Rebecca from Mississippi: God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect.” 2 Samuel 22:33 (NKJV)
Patti Rae, Saskatchewan Canada
“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8 NIV