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 ā and learning and thrilling and growing and wallowing ā go into the whole process of a Bible study journey. Many tears. Healthy laughs. Big eye-openers. Rich conversations. Moments of, āWhat on earth was I thinking??ā Above all, so much desperation for Jesus. If God doesnāt pour His Spirit into it, it will fall flat like a collapsed pup-tent. Thatās the Godās-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 lifeās 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 Iām going to end up writing about things in my life and family that havenāt even happened yet. Some of them will be wonderful. Others will be painful. Itās kind of like starting a new journal. There is a certain amount of trepidation because you simply canāt guess what will fill those pages. Itās a stomach-knotting blend of anticipation and raw fear. But what I forget sometimes in that anxious moment when I know thereās no turning back is the grace. The goodness of God. The fact that Iām invited to believe He was the initiator of it, as He is in all things faith (Hebrews 12:1-3) and that I donāt have to assume complete control over it. Iām invited to remember what life the Scripture has and how much this woman has to learn.
Good grief. Iām sitting in a salon chair about to bawl my head off. (Writing this to you on Friday.) Iāll 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 didnāt gnaw you like a bone throughout the whole ordeal. Itās 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. Thatās 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 ā 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 wonāt get a chance to blog much (if at all) while Iām 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, weāll stay in touch that way. (@BethMooreLPM ā 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 wonāt require an audience. Later in May they will come to Houston and we will do yet more taping. At that time (later in May), Iāll 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 wonāt 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. Thatās enough to make her push past her discomfort and get on the screen. In case youāre 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 donāt 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 Iād forgotten what weāre doing on here today???? No maāam. I most certainly did not. All Iāve just told you led to the Scripture Iāve chosen as my ninth verse.
Beth, Houston. āRely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!ā Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Yes, Sir! If this selection resonates with you, join me with it! Iād 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??? DONāT YOU DARE QUIT!!!!!
I love you to pieces.
Terri, Marion (IN)
Amber Shockley
Shrewsbury, UK
“Because of the LORDās 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
Brandie, Longmont CO:
“As for me, i know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth.”
Job 19:25, NASB
Terri, Marion (IN)
Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love;
in your great mercy turn to me. ~Ps. 69:16 (NIV)
susan, Corbin Kentucky. “Rely on the Lord!” Be strong and confident. Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14
Sue, Newnan
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible.
Natalie, Omaha
“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always”
Psalm 105:4 (NIV)
Kathy S. Hudsonville,MI
II Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Karen:Cookeville,TN. Psalm 27:14 NET Bible
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!”
Laura, Little Rock, AR. “He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man, he who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth–the Lord God Almighty is his name.” Amos 4:13
Peggy, Houston TX
I’m so glad I decided to this! It really does make life so much richer! I love the WORD!!!
Psalm 63:3-5
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
Julie/Deer Park/Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Psalm 100: 1-2/NIV
Barb, Lakeland, FL
Jesus answered, āIt is written: āMan does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.ā ā Matthew 4:4 NIV
Terri, Kirkland. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV.
Lori, Pine Island, MN
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4 NIV
Diane Chesapeake, VA.
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.”
Hebrews 10:23 NLT
Sherrie, Rome,GA āRely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!ā Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
April – Lubbock, TX
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. NIV
(memory vs 8 – didn’t make a post last time)
Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. NIV
(memory vs 9)
Kaye in Arkansas says, “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6
Freida, Chatham, LA
“But those who wait upon the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 NKJV
I will memorize alongside you this time Beth…I love this one! I need to remember this in this season of my life. How blessed are we to be able to do these side be side with our sisters in Jesus?! How I am loving this time.
Christina – Edgewood, Kentucky
āRely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!ā Psalm 27:14 NET
Mildred, Fayetteville, AR
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every monrning; great is thy faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him.
Lam 3:21-25 (RSV)
Holly
Monument, CO
“The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! For the Chief Musician; with my stringed instruments.” Habakkuk 3:19 Amp
Marian
Blackshear, GA
Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.
Jonah 2:8 (NIV)
Linda Lexington, KY
Memorizing along with you Beth….
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! Psalm 27: 14
For some reason, I had a much easier time memorizing for the first SSMT. Claiming these words as I continue memorizing this year.
Crystal, Whitefish, MT: Exodus 15:2 {NLT} The Lord is my strength and my song;Ā Ā he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise himāĀ Ā my father’s God, and I will exalt him!
Pam H., Naperville, IL
Ephesians 3:21NIV – “to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Carola, Missoula, MT
Isaiah 11:2
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord
Rachel from Ohio
āRely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!ā Psalm 27:14 NET
Gina, Ridgeland, MS
“The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.”
Psalm 121:5,6 ESV
Beth, Ft Collins āRely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!ā Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Karen, N. California
John 14:9ā11 (KJV) – “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.
James 4:10 NIV
Jani, Agate, CO
Luke 12:34 – For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. NIV
Susan,Chicago. Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! Psalm 27:14 NET
Ann,
Murrells Inlet, SC
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1: 4-6 NIV
in Muscle Shoals, AL
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. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6
Continuing with The Beatitudes:
“Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.” Matt. 5:5-6. (NIV)
Luanne, from Magnolia: “The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!” -Habakkuk 3:19 (Amplified Bible)
Leanne, Billings, MT:
“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 NIV
Faith, safford az> “So I say, walk by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Galatians 5:16 (NIV)
Psalm 27:14
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!
NET
Kim, New Port Richey, FL
āRely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!ā Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Cindy, Tucson, AZ
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:18 NIV
Durant, OK
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24NIV
Connie, Chariton, Proverbs 16:16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver NKJV
We demolish arguments and every pretense that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5
“Today, if you hear His voice,do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” Hebrews 3:15 ESV
Alta, Indiana
“I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
Galatians 2:20 NASB
Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 NLT
” So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that this pleasure is from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from Him?”