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!
Anna Elkhart IN
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 (NKJ)
Sarah, Cleveland, Ohio
I can’t stand that I’m so late! It has been a week, so I need this one:
Judges 5:21b (NIV) March on, my soul; be strong
Pat, Woodstock, Al
Phillipians 4:6 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer & petition with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Jennifer, Chattanooga
“When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves.4 Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.”
Philippians 2:3-4 NCV
I’m late in gettin mine in. I need a short one this time! “God said to them, ‘I’ve never stopped loving you and never will. Expect love, love and more love!'”” – Jeremiah 31:3, The Message
Sarah, Dallas
Meghan, Tallahassee
Those who plan for what is good find love and faithfulness. 14:22 pvbs niv
Kelly, St. Louis
Isaiah 43:10- ” You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servants whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.” NIV
I’m really late getting into this, but when I heard what you are doing, I wanted to have the accountability. Here’s my verse:
The LORD your God is in your midst,
A warrior Who saves.
He will exalt over you with joy,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.
Zephaniah 3:17 NASB
Anna, Corvallis, OR
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?'” John 11:25-26 NIV
Lindsey; Bowling Green, KY; Isaiah 26:8; (not sure what translation, but it’s whatever translation Passion uses)
“Yes Lord, walking in the way of Your truth we wait eagerly for You, for Your name and Your renown are the desire of our souls.”
Rebecca (Mom) Maya (7) Emmy (5), Midlothian VA:
Mine:
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
1 Peter 4:7-10 NIV
Girls: (who are still slightly annoyed at the long verse I chose in Jan. Amends.)
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV
John 20:17
NIV
Jesus said” Do not hold on to me for I have not yet returned to the Father. go instead to my brothers and tell them. I am returning to my Father and your Farher to my God and your God.
Michelle, Chatham, 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. Isaiah 48:17 NIV
Sally, Englewood;
March on, my soul; be strong! Judges 5:21b (NIV)
Lacey, Alto, MI
“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”
Psalm 90:14 (NIV)
Rachel from Ohio 🙂
The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions. Deuteronomy 29:29 NLT
Norma from Covington TN
Psalm 138:8 HCSB
The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me. LORD, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands.
Tara, Kosciusko, MS
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Sue, Visalia, CA
“You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north.” Deuternonomy 2:3 NASB
O Taste and see that the LORD is good;How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Ps.34:8
Jennifer E.
Richmond VA
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer & petition with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Phillipians 4:6 NIV
Lori, Fort Worth, TX
“March on, my soul; be strong!” Judges 5:21b NIV
Kay Groce, Dallas, Texas
“These remain, faith, hope and love. The greatest of these is love.”
I Corinthians 13:13
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13
Cindy Gandy
Hazlehurst, MS
Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
and your plans will succeed.
Stephanie, Elkins: You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Alex, Budapest, Hungary
‘Sow righteousness for yourselves,
reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
for it is time to seek the LORD,
until he comes
and showers his righteousness on you.’
Hosea 10:12, NIV
Melissa, Waco
James 1:16, NIV
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
Shelly, Portland. “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thess. 3;3 (NIV)
Brooke, Peoria, AZ
Daniel 2:21 He changes time and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. NIV
Lindsay ~ Bangor
“March on, my soul; be strong!”
Judges 5:21b (NIV)
I need the encouragement to continue marching on in courage and faith!
Beth, Pleasant Plains, Il
March on, my soul; be strong! Judges 5:21b, NIV
Romans 6:13-14(NIV)
“Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law but under grace.”
“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.”
Deuteronomy 31:8
Donna in Kirkland, Wa
Do not fear for I am with you. Do not anxiously look about you for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NASB
Ashley from Nikiski, AK:
“Observe therefore all the commands I am giving you today so that you may have the strength to go in and take over the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess” Deut. 11:8, NIV
Mary Lisa, Glenwood, MN. Psalm 27:14 (NKJ) Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!
Angelica
Huntsville, AL
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give 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)
Melissa, New York City, New York
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Galatians 5:24,25 ESV
Ruth C, Atlanta, GA
He satisfies my desires with good things so that my youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:5
Linda P. Annville, KY
When you pass through the waters, 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. Isaiah 43:2 NKJV
Kris, Maine (sorry I’m so late!)
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
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.
Lisa S.
Kinston, NC
Philippians 2:13 NASB
for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Beth, Johnstown, OH
“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”
Jeremiah 32:17 NIV
1 Cor. 3:16
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?
Saralynn Haserot, Castro Valley, CA
Psalm 56:3-4 NIV
“When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?”
Jan, Lake St.Louis, Missouri
2Corinthians 1:20 ESV
For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him.
That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory.
Liz, Prescott
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 NIV
Jackie, Little Rock, AR Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 1 John 1:3 NASB
oops! 2 John 1:3 NASB
Marsha, North Platte
Psalm 130:5 NIV ..I wait for the Lord, My soul waits, and in His Word I put my hope.