Hey, you mighty warriors!
By the time you get this SSMT post, I will be on my way to Nashville for the videotaping of James: Mercy Triumphs. It almost makes me cry to see the actual (recently settled-upon) title in print. So much time and focus and prayer and frustration and second-guessing and bewilderment and wonderment – and learning and thrilling and growing and wallowing – go into the whole process of a Bible study journey. Many tears. Healthy laughs. Big eye-openers. Rich conversations. Moments of, “What on earth was I thinking??” Above all, so much desperation for Jesus. If God doesn’t pour His Spirit into it, it will fall flat like a collapsed pup-tent. That’s the God’s-honest truth. After 14 journeys similar to this one, I know just enough in advance to be dangerous. Enough to start shaking (not with anointing but mostly with anxiety) when the outline first goes on paper. I know now how life’s going to go on in the middle of it and how all sorts of unplanned ups and downs, woes and joys will mark its pages. I know now how I’m going to end up writing about things in my life and family that haven’t even happened yet. Some of them will be wonderful. Others will be painful. It’s kind of like starting a new journal. There is a certain amount of trepidation because you simply can’t guess what will fill those pages. It’s a stomach-knotting blend of anticipation and raw fear. But what I forget sometimes in that anxious moment when I know there’s no turning back is the grace. The goodness of God. The fact that I’m invited to believe He was the initiator of it, as He is in all things faith (Hebrews 12:1-3) and that I don’t have to assume complete control over it. I’m invited to remember what life the Scripture has and how much this woman has to learn.
Good grief. I’m sitting in a salon chair about to bawl my head off. (Writing this to you on Friday.) I’ll try to rein this one in and quit being so dramatic. This is no time to wear you guys out about the James Bible study because Melissa and I still need you to pray us through until the complete manuscript is turned in at the end of summer. The beauty of all the studies prior to Esther is that they were pre-blog and I didn’t gnaw you like a bone throughout the whole ordeal. It’s too late now.
Make no mistake. The studio audience, the LifeWay video crew, and I need your prayers like crazy this week. Yes, pray for us during the day when preparation is taking place but especially pray for us in the evenings on Monday (tomorrow) through Thursday. That’s when the actual sessions will be taped, two per night, back-to-back. And pray big things for the participants, too! They are so incredibly important in the process. Pray for them to get totally caught up in the Scriptures and in what God is speaking into their lives and be oblivious to the cameras. Pray for them to experience a powerful encounter with Christ through His Word and for Him to do something utterly remarkable in each life. THEN, pray for that anointing to also transfer just that heavily to the women who will one day watch the series on the other side of the screen. I requested a smaller group of participants this time (like I have at Life Today – the perfect size!) but that means the cameras will be much more obvious to all the ladies in the audience. Pray also for us to bond in the Spirit right from the beginning.
Thank you so, so much.
I won’t get a chance to blog much (if at all) while I’m in Nashville but Amanda and Melissa will chime in. I will try to get on Twitter a time or two a day perhaps so, for those of you who like that, we’ll stay in touch that way. (@BethMooreLPM – writing that kind of thing always makes me want to throw up in my mouth.)
After the sessions are complete, the video team and I will spend all day Friday doing some additional taping that won’t require an audience. Later in May they will come to Houston and we will do yet more taping. At that time (later in May), I’ll do the intros to the session and also an on-camera dialogue with Melissa over the project. She has been a huge part of this journey. In fact, she was the first of the two of us who felt drawn to this book of the Bible. She is not a camera hog and won’t let me add her name on the cover but it would be a crying shame for the women not to get a chance to connect with her on screen. She has zero interest in entertaining but she has a huge interest in studying. That’s enough to make her push past her discomfort and get on the screen. In case you’re not up to date on her part of the project, she is writing extra study portions 2-3 times per week of Bible study for the student that wants to go deeper.
I am always reluctant (as both my daughters are) to mention two of us instead of three. Amanda, Melissa and I are, as my people would say, thick as mud and we don’t like to pair off. As I mention Melissa often in this process, rest assured Amanda is cheering us on and praying for us every step of our way. She is not actively participating this time in the editorial process (I miss her so much) because her focus and energies need to be on her family but we three women are together continually.
SO, did you think I’d forgotten what we’re doing on here today???? No ma’am. I most certainly did not. All I’ve just told you led to the Scripture I’ve chosen as my ninth verse.
Beth, Houston. “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Yes, Sir! If this selection resonates with you, join me with it! I’d be honored to memorize with you. I will say it over and over this week. Maybe you will, too, and He will hear us each time and find joy in it. I pray with all my sappy heart that the Spirit of God loves to hover over this community.
OK, so what are your verses, Sisters??? DON’T YOU DARE QUIT!!!!!
I love you to pieces.
Amy Hopper Ardmore, Oklahoma
“I have said these things to you,that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.” Philippians 3:7
NASB,
Nancy, Girard, KS
Kerri, Nichols, NY
“These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world!” John 16:33 (NKJV)
Diane, Melbourne But if you do not forgive others their sins your Father will not forgive your sins. NIV
Matthew 6:15
Kristy, Woodstock, Ga
Psalm 18:18-19 “They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.”
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! Psalms 27:14 The Net Bible
Amy; Tacoma, WA
“Be merciful to me, Oh Lord; for I am in distriss, my eyes are weary from sorrow, my soul and my body from grief.” Ps. 31:9 NIV
Hi Amy:)
We share a name, although mine also includes Lynn:)
There is another verse I think may also inspire you:
“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compssion…”
-Isaiah 30:18 a
Debbie
Walpole, MA
Proverbs 16:9 NIV
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his step.”
Alyssa, Fort Worth. “With long life I will satifsy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:16 (NIV)
~And with this verse, I will finish memorizing Psalm 91!
Jessica
Westminster, MD
“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” – Hebrews 13:15 ESV
Judy, Norfolk, va.
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on th Lord! Ps 27:14NET
Linda, Cypress, TX
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”
Psalm 27:14 NIV
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10 ESV
Michelle Lutz FL
Lk 6:19
And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all. NKJV
Matia, Fort Worth, “But when the goodness and love for man appeared from God our Savior, He saved us – not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:4-5
Miss Kathleen
Bernardsville, NJ
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future”.
Zephaniah 3:17
NIV
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
Dawn, Orland Park, IL
“Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him.” Psalm 34:8 NLT
Michelle, Portage, IN “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 the NET Bible
Jana, Tampa. “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Leila in Carrollton, GA
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.
Brandy East Bend, NC “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to to give you hope and a future”. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Siesta in Virginia, “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest.'” Matthew 9:37 & 38, NRSV
Jill Z., Gulfport, MS – ” And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NIV
Lexington, NC
And 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
Megan S.–Kansas City, Ks
Jeremiah 17:7 NLT
But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
Kendra, Middle East
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Holly, Boulder
For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Cor. 5:7 NKJ
Nancy, Sanger, TX
Isaiah 66:1,2 (ESV)
Heaven is my throne and earth is my footstool. What is the house that you would build for me and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has make and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
Romans 8:29 NKJV
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Tears in my eyes reading about your working with the girls. You are all so special to me.
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. Psalm 42:1 NIV
Lawan
Phil 4:8
Mindy – Van
Hebrews 13:5-6 ESV
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”
Jonda, Shakopee, MN
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 NET
AmyLynn; Chicago, IL
“He said to them all: If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Luke 9:23 (NIV)
Praying for you Beth!:)
Your little siesta sister
Emily – Topeka, Kansas
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)
Gillian, Oshawa Ontario Canada
The LORD is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit Psalm 34:18 NIV
Beth from Platte, SD: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Beth, Huntsville, Al
Colossians 3:17 NIV
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Sarah, Montrose, CO:
Let Your work be shown to Your servants, and Your glorious power to their children. Le the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
Psalm 90:16-17 (ESV)
Katie, Firestone, CO
“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Phil 2:13 (NKJV)
Mary Ann, Summerville, S.C.
“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
Isaiah 46:4 NIV
Rebecca, Pineville, LA
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18
Shelly, Portland,Oregon
“Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you and you will trample down their high places.”
Deuteronomy 34:29 (NIV)
Danielle, Ousden (UK)
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. Ps 62:5 (NIV)
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! – NET – Linda R. – Springfield
My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:1-6, NIV
Romans 5:18 “Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.” NIV
Paula, Friendswood, TX
Psalm 27:14 NIV
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
Ruth; Westerville Ohio
Rely on the Lord!
Be strong and confident!
Rely on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14 NET
Cindy, Laguna Niguel. “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” James 1:26 NIV