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.
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ.” Phillipians 2:5 NIV
Lindsay, Grapevine, TX: “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)
Summer, Royse City, Texas
James 1:19 – 20 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,(20)because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Rachel, Rochester, NY {In honor of all of my southern friends and family who are dealing with the aftermath of the storms}: “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)
Courtney – Tyler, TX.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in out weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26 NIV
I love the one you posted, Beth so I will memorize it with you! It so speaks to me:
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! Psalm 27:4
Wendy, Mechanicsville, VA
Karen H from Sinclairville N.Y.
Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven. Matthew 5:16 NIV
Kim, Dickinson, ND
“Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!” Is. 30:18 NIV
Sandra, Swainsboro,GA
Because of the LORD’s great love
we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
Allison, Prairieville: O Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and earth by your great power. Nothing is too hard for you! Jeremiah 32:17, NLT
Martha
Florida
Your word is a lamp that shows me the way. It is like a light that guides me. Psalm 119:105 NIrV
Diane, Cary NC and Naperville IL
Continuing with Psalm 100:
1. Shout for joy to the LORD, all the Earth.
2. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.
Carrie, Fort Mill, SC
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:18 NIV
Gretchen, Mississippi
“What is more I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ…” Phil 3:8 NIV
Andrea, Overland Park, KS
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
2 Cornithians 5:17
ESV
I love your verse Beth, and since it really resonated with me, I am going to join you in memorizing this one.
Love and hugs!
Adrienne
Jasper, TN
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
JIll~Palm Coast
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
Shane, Russellville,
Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ, even when we were dead in transgressions. Eph. 2:3-5 TNIV
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.”
Valerie, Pflugerville, TX:
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! Psalm 27:14 NET
Wendy, Orillia, Ontario Canada
God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will a abound in every good work. NIV
Tricia, Tucson, AZ.
Do everything without complaining or arguing. Philippians 2:14 (NIV)
Cody
Houston, TX
“And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”
Hebrews 11:15-16, NKJV
Angie, Cincinnati~ When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Luke 13:12 NIV
Amanda- Guernsey, WY
“For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.” 2 Tim 1:12
NASB
Bethaney, Frankfurt, Germany: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV).
Sarah Lacy from Cypress, Texas. “The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.” Proverbs 15:28 ESV
I need to remember this!
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
I forgot:-) – Red Deer, AB
Vicki
Murfreesboro,TN
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?
sherrylu, powder springs, ga
Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14 NASB
Kayla
Cleveland
In the day of my trouble I will call to you,for you will answer me.
Psalm 86:7 NIV
Joy, Georgetown, TX – Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Ephesians 4:31 NIV
Mary H.
Ardmore, AL
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Susan, Andover, KS
“For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother (& siestas!), because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.”
Philemon 1:7 (ESV)
Jan, Loveland, CO
The LORD is my light and my salvation_
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life_
of whom shall I be afraid?
PS 27:1 NIV
Marilyn, Albuquerque
” 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 hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jer.29:11-13 NIV
And we know that in all things God works for the goood of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
NIV
Susan
Elizabethtown, PA
Susan from Beverly
Galatians 5:26 (The Message)
We will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better another worse. We have far more better interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.
Cherise, Cheyenne, WY: “Don’t just pretend to love other. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.” Romans 12: 9
Jessica from Rockvale, TN
Colossians 3:23 (NLT)
“Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do as though you were working for the LORD rather than for people.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV
Therefore, my dear brothers stand firm, Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Caitlin, Omaha:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 ESV
Bombey, Houston
He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30 KJV
The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I come so you might have life abundantly NAS John 10:10
Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy to help us in our time of need.
Margie in Medina, Ohio~
“So then, just as you received Jesus Christ 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.” 🙂
Colossians 2:6-7
NIV
Time for the letter K
Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him. -Psm 4:3 (NIV)
Have to share how öne of my memory verses helped me -when an EF0 tornado came through my backyard last Friday putting two trees in my yard and taking down both sides of my fence (and thankfully no damage to my house) -I was able to lean on my H verse -Psm 112:7-8, personalizing it to “I will have no fear of bad news, my heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord, my heart is secure, I will have no fear……” God knew it was what I would need running through my mind!!!
Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NIV
your word is a lamp that shows me the way.it is like
a light that guides me.
psalm 119:105
monica and daughters, trinity and faith
Toronto