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!
Sally
Columbus, OH
“You hem me in-behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me.”
Ps 139:5
NIV
Kirsten, San Francisco
Philippians 2:14-16 NIV
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.”
Susan, Cumberland,RI
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:10 (KJV)
Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)
Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Connie, Bedford, KY
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Tammy, Lawrenceville, GA: Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
Terri, Pleasant Hope, MO
These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:7 (NIV)
Janelle C. (Malakoff, TX) He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is hte head of the bo, the church; he is the beginning and the first born among thing he might have supremacy. Colossians 1:17-18
Tuscaloosa, AL
With our tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men,who have been made in God’s likeness. James 3:9 NIV
Kristen…Hooksett, NH Eph 4:7-8 ” But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it[a] says:
“When he ascended on high,
he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people.” NIV
Savanna. Atlanta, GA.
Dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Colossians 3:12 The Message.
Sarah, Elgin, IL
The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”
Psalm 32:8, NLT
Pam-Round Rock,TX
Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.
Luke 1:45 NIV
Jennifer Atlanta
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH, the LORD is everlasting strength.
Isaiah 26:3-4 NKJV
Rose in Dallas: “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.” 2 Corinthians 4:1, NIV
Marilyn Gadsden, Al Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strengh of my heart, He is my forever. Psalm 73:25-26
Delores O.
Shoreline
Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on Your anointed one.
Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere; i would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
Psalm 84: 9-10 NIV
Anne, Minneapolis, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12:11-13, NIV
Whitney, Louisville: “The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng.” -Psalm 68:11 (NIV)
Kate, Statesboro, GA
Ps 18:1 NIV
“I love you, O Lord, my strength.”
Pam Hendersonville, NC Is.55:8-For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. KJV
Orillia, Ontario, Canada
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Concetta, White Oak, Psalm 143:10 CEV, “You are my God. Show me what you want me to do, and let your gentle Spirit lead me in the right path.”
Melissa, Blairsville
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1 (NASB)
Pat, Crawfordsville, IN
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
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgivness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. Colossians 1:13-15 (ESV)
Joshua 1:9 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.
NIV
Tricia Faison, Wendell, NC
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NIV
Deborah, Pinewood, Tennessee
Psalm 121:1-2 hcsb
I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Kim, Advance, NC “March on,my soul;be strong!” Judges 5:21b (NIV)
Keysha McNeil
Roanoke, VA
Isaiah 32:17 (ESV)
And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
Stephanie, Youngstown, OHIO
“(That you may really come) to know (practically, through experience for yourselves) the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge (without experience); that you may be filled (through all your being) unto all the fullness of God (may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself).” (Ephesians 3:19 Amplified).
Patty
Lakeport, FL
“March on, my soul, be strong.” Judges 5:21b (NIV)
(Just the encouragement I needed!)
Janell, Denver, CO
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8 NIV
For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:14,(NIV)
Jodi,Fairhope,AL: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2 NKJV
Cathy S., Terra Ceia, Florida
But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14 (NKJV)
Sarah – Port St. Joe, FL
From Melissa’s post just a couple of days ago:
Deut. 10:17
The LORD your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.
Karen, Brandon, MS
“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
Annette Judges 5:21 NIV
March on, my soul; be strong!
(i had a different verse picked out until i read today’s post…i JUST finished reading Judges 4-5 and was trying to wrap my mind around Deborah’s courage and asking God to do that in me…)
Tesa
Perry, GA
The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes BEFORE honor.
Proverbs 15:33
Wendy – Cheyenne, WY.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 3:3 NIV
Colleen, O’Fallon, IL.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.
Psalm 62:2 NLT
Stevie, Fort Worth, TX. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
Melissa Vevay, IN
You must be holy because I the LORD am holy. I have set you apart from all the other people to be my very own.
Leviticus 20:26 (NLT)
Gina, Spring, TX
Isaiah 41:10, 13 (MSG)
Don’t panic. I’m with you.
There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.
I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.
I, your God,
have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go.
I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic.
I’m right here to help you.’
Elaine, Powder Springs ~ He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 148:3
*typo:( should be *Psalm 147:3 – HCSB
Patty
Talbott
The Lord we serve is able to save us. Daniel 3:17 NIV
Tanis, British Columbia
but those who trust in the LORD will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint. Isa 40:31 HCSB
Cynda
Newnan, GA
2 Corinthians 2:14 (HSCB)
“But thanks be to God, who always puts us on display in Christ, and spreads through us in every place the scent of knowing Him.”